Editing First World War (section)

=== Africa and the Pacific ===

The Allies attacked German colonies after the outbreak of war. Togoland surrendered in August 1914. German South West Africa was occupied in 1915. Fighting in German East Africa continued after the European armistice because forces under [[Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck]] remained in the field.

Belgian forces entered German-ruled Rwanda in 1916. After Germany's defeat, Rwanda and Burundi were administered by Belgium as [[Ruanda-Urundi]].<ref name="rwanda-colonial">{{cite web |title=Rwanda |url=https://vriendenuniverse.org/wiki/Rwanda#Colonial_period |website=Vrienden Universe Wiki |access-date=20 June 2026}}</ref>

Japan entered the war against Germany on 23 August 1914. Japanese and British forces captured the German base at Qingdao in November. Japan occupied German island possessions north of the equator. Australia and New Zealand took other German territories in the Pacific.