Lt Col.Stordy says that war here will only last two months. It is far too hot for sustained fighting, he says, we will all melt like ice cream in the sun! –Letter from E.H. Burgess to his sister Cecily.
By Roger Childs
The forgotten war
This is a novel about a conflict that few will know about. When war broke out in Europe in early August 1914 two of the key protagonists had a border in East Africa where their colonies had existed side by side for over 30 years. So Germany and Britain began to fight in the African heat thousands of kilometres from the Western Front.
But instead of two months, the East African War dragged on for over four years, and the home countries forgot to tell the colonial authorities when the Armistice was reached in Europe on 11 November 1918!
This is one of prolific novelist William Boyd’s early novels, which was nominated for the Booker Prize, and clearly shows the skills that would characterize all his later writing. He has written more than a dozen historical novels and they are all characterized by well researched settings, credible characters and plots with plenty of twists and turns.
Two settings
The chapter headings follow chronological dates and the story moves between England and East Africa. The two key characters are brothers Gabriel and Felix Cobb who are raised in a upper class family living in the countryside close to London.
When war breaks out in August 1914 the older brother Gabriel takes up a commission and to his surprise is sent to East Africa. He has had to curtail his honeymoon in northern France which was rather a disaster. He and his wife Charis were sexually naive and Boyd sensitively covers their feelings during the few days they have together.
In East Africa two plantation holders – Temple Smith in British East Africa and Erich von Bishop – are near neighbours who get on well, but suddenly find themselves “at war”. Meanwhile Gabriel Cobb finds himself part of the invasion force attacking the port of Tanga. Before this happens, the British Navy sails in and asks the Germans to hand it over. They refuse of course and by the time the land attack takes place Tanga is heavily defended. The British are heavily beaten and Gabriel is wounded and captured.
Meanwhile back in England Felix has been at Oxford and inevitable falls in love with his sister –in-law Charis and they start an affair. Ultimately Felix joins the British Army and goes to East Africa in search of his brother.
A fascinating story
An Ice Cream War is thoroughly researched and based on actual events. There are plenty of fascinating characters, especially those in East Africa who to their great surprise get involved in a war which has its origins in faraway Europe. People like
- Liesl von Bishop the plump wife of Erich, who becomes a nurse and the idol of Gabriel.
- American Temple Smith who wants compensation for the damage done to his plantation.
- District Officer Wheech Browning who, when he features, is always associated with someone getting killed.
This is a very readable book which chops and changes between England and Africa. There are plenty of twists in the plot, but detailed maps of East Africa were needed to allow readers to place the action. As well as drama and tragedy there is humour and romance.
Books by William Boyd are well worth reading and they can be obtained from libraries and bookstores.