Hermann Wissmann
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Hermann Wissmann (Wißmann in German) (September 4, 1853 – June 15, 1905) was a German explorer and administrator in Africa.
In 1880, Wissmann accompanied explorer Paul Pogge on a journey through the Congo Basin. In the eastern Congo, Pogge and Wissmann parted company. Pogge stayed to build an agricultural research station for a Congolese chief, while Wissmann trekked to the Indian Ocean via present-day Tanzania. Afterwards Wissmann was in the employ of King Leopold II of Belgium, who was in the process of creating his personal African empire, known as the Congo Free State.
In 1889, Wissmann was appointed as [[Reichskommissar for the German East Africa region; and was tasked with suppression of the Abushiri Revolt led by Abushiri ibn Salim al-Harthi. The German forces, along with British naval assistance, fortified Bagamoyo, Dar es Salaam, Tanga, and Pangani. The Germans also fortified the interior garrison of Mpwapwa and reopened the main caravan route through the area. Soon afterwards, Abushiri was arrested and was executed in Pangani on December 16, 1889. In January 1890, Wissmann issued a general pardon to the remaining rebels.
The term "Wissmanntruppe" was used for the military and police units under his command. This consisted of German and non-German troops recruited from various African and Middle Eastern regions. It is a word modification of the more generally known Schutztruppe for German-employed military personnel in Africa.
[edit] External links
- Description of the Wissmanntruppe
- Afrika: Schilderungen und Rathschläge zur Vorbereitung für den Aufenthalt und den Dienst by Hermann Wissmann at Google Books
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