I'm currently reading "The Meinertzhagen Mystery: The Life and Legend of a Colossal Fraud," by Brian Garfield, who wrote the foreword to "My Life", Von Lettow Vorbeck's autobiography. Anyone read it?
The colonial period in Africa, and especially the Great War, have always held a particular fascination for me. Garfield's argument is compelling. Perhaps because it focuses on two things that always bothered me: 1) if Meinertzhagen was so great an intelligence officer, why couldn't the Brits, who outnumbered the Germans 20:1 in East Africa even find them, let alone defeat them?; and 2) the multiple inquiries and investigations concerning the Laibon's death, along with 20+ of his men, at Ket Parak Hill. Why, once Meinertzhagen was cleared the first time, did they keep digging it up? Something must have smelled, even at the time. Garfield's theory seems plausible.
I need to get Meinertzhagen's diaries. Anyone know a source?
I don't but if you find reference please post;I would be interested as well. Along the same lines I have waited to stay alive for (among other reasons) to see the court releases on the trial of Mata Hari who was shot in 1917 + the court records sealed for 100 years.That just sounds like too much interesting reading. Most likely though,pretty bland stuff concerning generals we never heard about. I would like to see it though.
Lavaca,I have heard nothing in the press or news. I am very interested in this but have nothing to report. If you hear of anything PLEASE contact me.Thanks,Randy
Interesting Facebook page with lots of photos and some articles on the German Schitztruppe in SWA and of course the East African wars - take a look at the General Paul von Lettow Vorbeck Page. Nothing about Meinertzhagen as yet but same time and era and same wars he fought in.
Let us know what you think of Garfield's book when you finish it, Lavaca. I tried to read that piece of garbage that Capstick was working on when he died, and gave it up in disgust. Randy, I had forgotten all about Mata HAri and the closed records.
There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t. – John Green, author
Posts: 16683 | Location: Las Cruces, NM | Registered: 03 June 2000
Bill,try to find a copy of the movie "The Lighthorsemen".It is the story about the last mounted cavalry charge in WW1 by the Aussies against the turks in Palestine. The final cavalry charge is worth the cost of the movie. Meinertzhagen is featured in there as well but never named. It is a very good true movie.
Randy, I have it and I have seen it about as many times as I have "Quigley Down Under." One of the finest cavalry charges ever filmed -- and of course Meinertzhagen comes out like a genius.
There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t. – John Green, author
Posts: 16683 | Location: Las Cruces, NM | Registered: 03 June 2000
That says it all. I need to get a new copy in DVD as mine is still in VHS + I don't have that machine anymore.Off + on the subject,the Paramount theatre on Congress Ave. downtown Austin is starting their 'summer series' of movies.Beau Ceuo of classics,opening night doing Casablanca + then more + the next week doing Lawrence Of Arabia,ad infinitum through out the summer.(Don't tell anyone though;too damn many people here as it is)
Originally posted by NormanConquest: Bill,try to find a copy of the movie "The Lighthorsemen".It is the story about the last mounted cavalry charge in WW1 by the Aussies against the turks in Palestine. The final cavalry charge is worth the cost of the movie. Meinertzhagen is featured in there as well but never named. It is a very good true movie.
I have tried to find a copy of the Lighthorsemen in the USA for some time, so far no luck. If any if you do find a source please post it.
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Posts: 2815 | Location: Washington (wetside) | Registered: 08 February 2005
the Nandis hated him and activelly helped the germans ,as an ex infatry officer in the argentine army i saw many of this psycopath stereotypes in the intelligence communitie ,the never attended a military school and pretend to be great warriors .
As far as Nadi and Richard Meinertzhagen are concerned the newest Bell Book, Reminisces of an Elephant Hunter.has a whole chapter on Bell and his perceptions on British involvement with the Nandi.
The killing of the Laibon Koital Arap Samoei is annotated on pages 292-295. Richard Meinertzhagen’s ineptitude is contrasted to an Administrator identified as P. P is identified a man named Partington (no other info really given about him).
Posts: 12658 | Location: Somewhere above Tennessee and below Kentucky | Registered: 31 July 2016
I read Warrior of PHC and other articles and even written an article about him for Magnum magazine . I agree with my camarad the nandis strongly hated him ,so they cheated him and helped the germans . Cheers Juan
www.huntinginargentina.com.ar FULL PROFESSIONAL MEMBER OF IPHA INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS ASOCIATION . DSC PROFESSIONAL MEMBER DRSS--SCI NRA IDPA IPSC-FAT -argentine shooting federation cred number2-
Posts: 6382 | Location: Cordoba argentina | Registered: 26 July 2004
True,the Argentions were neutral in wars 1 + 2 until 3 weeks before the latter.Then they declared war on Germany.Good timing. The scuttling Of the Graf Spee at the port in Mondevideo in 1939 was a major black eye for the 1000 year reich.
