Battle of Lai
ConflictBattle of Laï
Partofthe Kamerun campaign in World War I
Date21 August 1914
PlaceSouthern Chad
ResultGerman victory
Combatant 1

French Third Republic

Combatant 2

German Empire

Commander 1Cap. Jeanjean
Commander 2Cap. Von Duhring
Strength 1Unknown
Strength 2Unknown
Casualties 114 killed
(1 lieutenant, 13 soldiers)
Casualties 211 killed

The Battle of Laï began on 21 August 1914 in Chad, during the First World War at the village of Laï, capital of the district of Logone, on the Logone River in the south.

A German column from Kamerun, led by Captain Von Duhring, attacked the village of Laï, defended by Captain Jeanjean. After a bitter fight, the French were driven out and the village was occupied by the Germans until 1 September 1914.

Sources

  • Malval, J. & Tubiana, M. J. (1974). Essai de chronologie tchadienne, 1707–1940 (in French). Paris: Éditions du Centre national de la recherche scientifique. ISBN 2-22201-625-8.
  • Moberly, F. J. (1931). Military Operations Togoland and the Cameroons 1914–1916. History of the Great War Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Battery Press 1995 ed. London: HMSO. ISBN 0-89839-235-7.