At the outbreak of the First World War, the in German East Africa was organised into 14 field companies () with 2,500 men under arms, with headquarters at the capital Dar es Salaam. Including carriers and labourers, the force had about 14,000 personnel. On 13 April 1914, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck assumed command in German East Africa. He led his units throughout the First World War, eventually being promoted to . The in East Africa became the last German formation to surrender – days after the armistice in November 1918.