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The Franke Tower: legacy of a half forgotten war
Omaruru was a German garrison town from the late nineteenth century onwards, so it came as little surprise that was attacked by the Hereroes during the German-Herero War. In January 1904, the town was besieged and the town was finally relieved by Captain Victor Franke and his cavalry. The impressively disciplined Captain Franke - who was, after all, German - marched his troops 900km north in only 20 days. Frankly (if you'll excuse the pun), it's a miracle that they had the energy to stand up once they reached Omaruru, let alone fight after haring across country at this pace in high summer!By way of context, the German-Herero war were triggered by a Herero uprising against German colonial rule in 1904, and the resultant loss of life was horrific. There were relatively small numbers of casualties in formal conflict, but most of those who fled into the desert died of thirst and starvation....
