Battle of Naulila

Naulila was the scene of fighting between Portuguese Angola and German South West Africa during the early stages of World War I. On 19 October 1914, a German military column crossed the border and entered Angola without authorization from the Portuguese authorities. The column was intercepted by Portuguese forces and conducted to Fort Naulila. At Naulila, a dispute occurred between the Portuguese and the Germans which resulted in the death of three German officers.

Battle of Naulila
Part of the start of German campaign in Angola
Date 14 October 1914 Location Naulila, Portuguese Angola Result German Victory
Belligerents
Portuguese Angola	German South West Africa
Commanders and leaders
Alves Roçadas	Victor Franke  (WIA)
Units involved
Portuguese Army	Schutztruppe
Strength
580 Infantry 200 Cavalry	650 Infantry
Casualties and losses
Around 150	Around 30

On 31 October, the Germans under the command of Oswald Ostermann retaliated, and raided the Portuguese fort at Cuangar, destroying the fort and killing all stationed border guards with machine-guns. This was later referred to as the "Cuangar Massacre". On 18/19 December, Victor Franke led a successful retaliatory attack, defeating the Portuguese at Naulila.