Who was Lettow-Vorbeck's Adjutant

Gwynn Compton · Post by **Gwynn Compton** » 03 Aug 2004 12:07

During the campaign in East Africa, who was Lettow-Vorbeck's adjutant who did all the drawings which appear in Vorbeck's book?

Gwynn

Olivier Palardy · Post by **Olivier Palardy** » 03 Aug 2004 16:42

I think it was Lieutenant von Ruckteschell.

Olivier

Gwynn Compton · Post by **Gwynn Compton** » 03 Aug 2004 23:30

von Ruckeschell was certainly a company Commander under Lettow-Vorbeck, but in his references to him in his book, Lettow-Vorbeck doesn't mention him as an adjutant.

Then again I haven't found any reference at all reference to an adjutant.

Gwynn

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 04 Aug 2004 00:39

Gwynn,
Does the book also mention that the German Governor,Heinrich Schnee,was married to a New Zealand lady?I think they met when he saw service in Samoa.

Peter

Olivier Palardy · Post by **Olivier Palardy** » 04 Aug 2004 06:48

Gwynn,

Sorry for not having put more details but I was in a hurry. Here is the source of my information. I found in Byron Farwell's Great War in Africa the following:

One version identified the German officer as Lieutenant von Ruckteschell, who for a time served as Lettow-Vorbeck's adjutant

It does not confirm that he is the one who did the pictures but I remember having read somewhere (I can't remember where) that he did so. But that is not in My Reminiscences of East Africa. I have a copy at home and I have not found any references to the author of the pictures.

Olivier

Peter H · Post by **Peter H** » 04 Aug 2004 08:56

A photo of Lettow-Vorbeck,with his officers,after surrendering 1918.The young guy on the right might be a candidate?A Leutnant Ott was also one of his favourites.

Source:"Tanganyikan Guerilla,East African campaign 1914-18",J.R.Sibley,1971.

Gwynn Compton · Post by **Gwynn Compton** » 04 Aug 2004 12:29

On second thoughts it could be Lieutenant von Ruckteschell, as the initials on the drawings could fesiably be VR, though its hard to tell, when I'm on my other computer I'll upload the scan I did of The Fallen, and we'll take a closer look at it.

Gwynn

Olivier Palardy · Post by **Olivier Palardy** » 04 Aug 2004 17:13

This is now clear to me that it is Walter von Ruckteschell who did the drawings. Just follow this link:

http://www.schoefert.de/rka/inhalt/lettow/lettow.htm

Gwynn Compton · Post by **Gwynn Compton** » 05 Aug 2004 00:15

Case solved

Another mystery out of the way.

Gwynn