East Africa itself offered proof of this. Take the East African Air Force: when it was first established, it existed merely as an aviation force supporting the army. Only in recent years had it officially become an independent branch of the military, standing alongside the East African Army and Navy.
In short, from the very beginning, the East African Navy had borne the heavy responsibility of becoming a major naval force in the world. It was an indispensable part of East Africa's national development strategy.
Yet for such an important naval force, one aimed at competing for maritime supremacy across the world, what it lacked most was historical foundation and overseas bases.
Freer said, "During the South African naval battle, the British Navy crossed the Socotra Island and attacked Mogadishu, then the northernmost port of our country."
"Later, when the British Navy withdrew to India, it also used the Seychelles as a transit point. At the time, the East African Navy was still weak, so we could only lower our banners and beat our drums, retreating back to our homeland. Yet the existence of the Seychelles still placed enormous pressure on the Imperial Navy."
How could one allow another to snore beside one's own bed? The British, who controlled these strategic points in the Indian Ocean, possessed the strength to keep the East African Indian Ocean Fleet awake at night.
Naturally, Ambassador Thomson did not believe Freer's one-sided account. East Africa feared Britain, but did Britain not likewise regard East Africa as its greatest rival in the Indian Ocean? East Africa worried that Britain would attack the East African East Coast, while Britain feared that East Africa might launch a surprise attack on Mumbai Harbor!
After all, in British eyes, India was the flesh of their heart. There was neither