Show IMP AND hottentots HOTTEN TOTS MEET ON DESERT last of hosti hostile I 1 e chiefs suffers defeat at hands of soldiers who penetrated trackless desert berlin tho the government has published a cablegram from south africa reporting a battle between the german expeditionary forces and a body of hottentots Hotten tots in the kalahari kalahati Kal ahari desert the german troops had bad been sent out outto to find simon croppers Kr the last of the chiefs who Is still hostile the engagement was a very severe one the enemy lost fifty eight killed hilled seven men and several women were captured the german losses also were heavy captain von erckert commander of the expeditionary forces lieutenant ebinger and twelve privates being killed and seventeen wounded of whom nine were seriously hurt tho the german force left coccas on march 6 strong with four machine lachine ri guns and camels they made forced marches into the waterless desert for four days before beffre stopping long enough to cook a fresh supply of food the only water found was vas a dirty pool which was insufficient to quench the thirst of the camels captain erckert finally located the camp on march 15 he began the attack next morning at daybreak and soon there was vas fierce fighting all along the line the german commander fell in the first onslaught and the second officer in command took harge charge of the expeditionary forces which drove the hottentots Hotten tots from one position to another until finally they broke and fled in all directions chief croppers Kr power has been badly werth weakened ened by this defeat but it will be necessary for mhd germans to continue a vigilant watch over the approaches to the desert |