Democratic Republic of the Congo

'Map illustrating the Closing Phases of the East African Campaign, 1917-18', (c1920)

'Map illustrating the Closing Phases of the East African Campaign, 1917-18', (c1920). European powers in Africa during the First World War: 'Shaded area showing Territory still held by the enemy in German East Africa at the beginning of 1917; Coastal areas held by British troops; General von Lettow-Vorbeck's track from December 1916 to his surrender on November 14, 1918; Colonel Tafel's line of retreat from the Mohenge district until his surrender on November 27, 1918; Track of the Wintgens-Naumann raiding force, February-October 1917'. From "The Great World War: A History", Volume IX, edited by Frank A Mumby. [The Gresham Publishing Company Ltd, London, c1920]

© The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sunset over the Virunga Mountains of the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda with the rural settlements dotting the landscape

A dramatic sunset with big cumulus storm clouds over the Virunga Mountains of the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda with rural settlements dotting the lush green landscape. Rwanda or R_publique du Rwanda, is a sovereign state in central and east Africa and one of the smallest countries on the African mainland. Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda is in the African Great Lakes region and its geography is dominated by mountains in the west and savanna to the east, with numerous lakes throughout the country. The climate is temperate to subtropical. The economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture with coffee and tea being the major cash crops for export.

© © Mitchell Krog

Temporary dam construction on River Dangu

Local workers construct a temporary dam on the River Dangu, Belgian Congo (Zaire). The dam was being constructed in order to create a lake to allow the flying boat 'Corsair' to take off. The Imperial Airways flying boat had made an enforced landing in March 1939, and was at first thought to be unrepairable, and the order given for it to be dismantled. A company engineer from Alexandria thought otherwise, and repairs were made and a first dam constructed. The attempt to take off in June 1939 failed and further damage resulted. Following more repaiirs and the construction of a second dam, the second attempt to take off, in January 1940, was a success and the Corsair arrived in England on January 15th 1940. Date: January 1940

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans