Sajun.org
'''Askari''' is an
Arabic and
Swahili word meaning "soldier". It was frequently used to describe indigenous troops in
East Africa and the
Middle East serving
European colonial powers but also describes policemen and security guards.
A good example of the use of Askaris was during the
World War I campaign in
German East Africa where around 1100 Askaris under the command of the
German General
Paul Erich von Lettow-Vorbeck who were vastly outnumbered by troops of the
British Empire remained unbeaten after four years of war.