Information
At the outbreak of the First World War Tanzania was the core of German East Africa. From the invasion of April 1915, Commonwealth forces fought a protracted and difficult campaign against a relatively small but highly skilled German force under the command of General von Lettow-Vorbeck. When the Germans finally surrendered on 23 November 1918, twelve days after the European armistice, their numbers had been reduced to 155 European and 1,168 African troops.
Morogoro was occupied by Commonwealth forces on the 26 August 1916 and the German civil cemetery was taken over for Commonwealth war burials. Between the beginning of September 1916 and January 1919, 177 burials were carried out by the five medical units which were posted in the town and which were, at the outset, assisted by German medical personnel and civilians. After the Armistice, 169 graves were brought in from other burial grounds, including the following:
BUKU BUKU (or DINA BUKU) GRAVES, between Morogoro and the Mwuha river. The place was occupied in September 1916 and a medical unit was posted there.
DAKAWA (WAMI RIVER), between Morogoro and Handeni.
DUTHUMI MILITARY CEMETERY, between Morogoro and the Rufiji. The place was captured in September, 1916.
KIKEO ROAD CEMETERY, near Kisaki.
RUFIJI RIVER CEMETERY, near Chogowali.
TULO CEMETERY, on the Mikese-Duthumi road. The place was occupied in September 1916.
There are now 384 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery, 4 of which are unidentified. There are 9 non Commonwealth burials here, including 5 unidentified.
