Find WW1 Content

Colonel Robert Logan led a 1400-strong expeditionary force to capture German Samoa (later renamed Western Samoa). The Germans stationed there were in no position to resist.

With hindsight, New Zealand's capture of German Samoa on 29 August 1914 was an easy affair. But at the time it was regarded as a potentially risky action with uncertain outcomes.

Royal Navy officers arrive at Apia, Samoa, 29 August 1914, with the demand for German surrender.

Find out more about the capture of German Samoa in the First World War.

Samoans were not consulted when Britain, Germany and the United States agreed to partition their islands in December 1899.

With hindsight, New Zealand's capture of German Samoa on 29 August 1914 was an easy affair. But at the time it was regarded as a potentially risky action with uncertain outcomes.

German naval flag flown at Apia in German Samoa, circa 1914.

Showing crowds gathered as the German flag is being hoisted after the Malietoa-Mata'afa war of 1898, in Apia, Samoa.

Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. Text in German. Numbered paragraphs. A proclamation announcing the occupation of German Samoa by the New Zealand government. The rules of the occupation follow. This is a copy of the Proclamation of Occupatio...

Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. Text is in English. Numbered paragraphs. A proclamation announcing the occupation of German Samoa by the New Zealand government. The rules of the occupation follow. This is a copy of the Proclamation of Occup...

Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. Text in Samoan. Numbered paragraphs. A proclamation announcing the occupation of German Samoa by the New Zealand government. The rules of the occupation follow. This is a copy of the Proclamation of Occupatio...

These images show New Zealand troops en route to German Samoa then landing and marching through the streets on 29 August 1914.

Cartoon by William Blomfield (Blo) from N.Z. Observer, commenting on the peaceful occupation of the German colony of Samoa by New Zealand forces on 29 August 1914. A German trader in a hammock comments that he wants trade restored quickly.

Showing fishing in the harbour at Apia, capital of Samoa

Showing the German warships Emden, Leipzig, Scharnhorst, Condor, and the Cormoran in Apia harbour prior to the outbreak of war.

German sign taken from the post office in Apia, German Samoa by New Zealand soldiers in August 1914.

When war broke out in Europe in August 1914, Britain asked New Zealand to seize German Samoa as a 'great and urgent Imperial service'. Although the tiny German garrison offered no opposition, at the time it was regarded as a potentially risky action.

Colonel Robert Logan led a 1400-strong expeditionary force to capture German Samoa in New Zealand’s first action of the First World War. This was the second German territory, after Togoland in East Africa, to fall to the Allies in the war.

This map of Samoa and surrounds contains information in relation to the urban and rural geography of Samoa during the late period of German Administration. The physical map itself broken into many pieces and has been stitched together digitally. The...

On August 29 1914 New Zealand forces captured German Samoa after being asked to do so by Great Britain. When war broke out in Europe in August 1914, Britain asked New Zealand to seize German Samoa as a ‘great and urgent Imperial service’. New Zea...