The Fall of Maputo

December 20, 1888.

Maputo, which had enjoyed more than half a month of peace, once again sounded the alarm, because those damned East Africans had come again.

"Just three hours ago, the East African Navy engaged our forces in the north. Enemy troops landed east of Quelimane. A moment ago, our observation post north of Cape Town Bay spotted the enemy navy. They are advancing into the bay."

The entrance to Maputo Bay stretched nearly twenty kilometers, making a complete blockade impossible. Of course, Maputo City lay deeper within the bay, so there was no risk of it being breached from the sea.

Simply facing the enemy ships' blanket bombardment was enough to make Davis, Maputo's current highest military commander, feel stifled and terrified.

"Put the troops on combat readiness. The moment any battery spots an enemy ship, open fire immediately. Do not hesitate," Davis ordered after calming down somewhat.

There was no longer time to worry about the East African landing force in the north. Who knew whether East Africa was merely feinting before striking directly at Cape Town?

In fact, even if they knew the East African Army in the north was the main force, they could not spare enough men to eliminate the East African troops that had landed there.

Because just three days earlier, an unknown small force had infiltrated the area between Maputo and the southern defensive line, launching a devastating strike against the supply route linking them.

To wipe out this East African force, Maputo had already dispatched its last reserve unit southward to encircle and suppress it.

That small force was the regiment led by Schwar. To eliminate Schwar's unit, the enemy would have to deploy at least a brigade. But after Count Roberts and the Governor's Mansion relocated, they had taken nearly