German presence in what was to become Togo started in 1856 when traders from
Bremen established a trading post at Anecho in the "Kingdom" of Gliji.
In 1884, invoking attacks on these traders, the Imperial navy intervened and
soon afterwards protectorates were imposed on Gliji and several other coastal
"Kingdoms".
In the course of the following years German influence was extended over other
territories, the submission of Natchaba country in 1900, ending the conquest.
____________________________________________________________________________
CHIEF ADMINISTRATORS
Consul
Konsul
(acting German Representative)
1884 - 1885 Heinrich Randad (1)
(1) Appointed by Gustav Nachtigal (1834 - 1885), Imperial Commissioner
for West Africa (ReichsKommissare für West Afrika) charged with the
establishment of German rule in all West African territories in 1884
- 1885.
Imperial Commissioners
Reichskommissare
1885 - 1887 Ernst Falkenthal 1858 - 1911
1887 - 1888 Jesko von Puttkamer* 1855 - 1917
1888 - 1891 Eugen Ritter von Zimmerer 1843 - 1918
1891 - 1892 ...
1892 - 1893 Jesko von Puttkamer (2x)
Landeshauptleute
1893 - 1895 Jesko von Puttkamer s.a.
1895 - 1898 August Köhler 1858 - 1902
Governors
Gouverneure
1898 - 1902 August Köhler s.a.
1902 - 1905 Waldemar Horn 1864 -
1905 - 1910 Johann Nepomuk, Graf Zech auf Neuhofen 1868 - 1914
1910 - 1911 ...
1911 - 1912 Edmund Brückner 1871 - 1935
1912 - 1914 Adolf Friedrich,
Herzog von Mecklenburg-Schwerin 1873 - 1969
In 1914 Togo was invaded by British and French troops. After a brief campaign
it was occupied and divided into two military occupation zones :
- A British zone, which would later become British Togoland
- A French zone (see below).
In 1919 the Supreme Allied Council confirmed the division, expanding however
the French zone.
Later in the same year, by the Peace Treaty of Versailles, Germany formally
ceded the territory to the Allies.
FRENCH MANDATED TERRITORY OF TOGO
In 1922 the French zone, where civil government had already replaced military
administration in 1916, became a League of Nations Mandated Territory, France
continuing to administer it. (2)
(2) Togo was a part of the Government General of French West Africa from
1917 to 1921.
In 1934 when most of its administrations (agriculture, customs, ...)
were united with those of Dahomey, it de facto became again part of
the federation.
This situation was confirmed in 1936 when the Governors General of
French West Africa became ex officio Commissioners of the Republic.
Military Commander
Commandant militaire
1915 - 1916 LtCol. Fr. Maroix, commander of the
French forces operating in Togo since
1914.
Commissionners of the Republic
Commissaires de la République
1916 - 1917 LtCol. Gaston Léon Joseph Fourn
1917 - 1922 Alfred Louis Woelfel 1873 -
1922 - 1931 Paul Auguste François Bonnecarrère 1875 - 1966
1931 - 1933 Robert Paul Marie De Guise
1933 - 1934 Léon Charles Alphonse Pêtre*
1934 - 1936 Maurice Léon Bourgine, in 1935 - 1936
in his quality of Lieutenant Governor
of Dahomey, the separate post of
Commissioner having been abolished
for financial reasons. 1879 - 1963
Superior Administrator (in Togo)
Administrateur supérieur
1935 - 1936 Léon Guismar
1936 - 1938 The Governors General of French West Africa
Superior Administrator (in Togo)
Administrateur supérieur
1936 - 1938 Michel Lucien Montagné
1936 - 1941 Michel Lucien Montagné (3) s.a.
1941 Léonce Joseph Delpech
1941 - 1942 Jean de Saint-Alary* 1888 - 1970
1942 - 1943 Pierre Salceti
1943 - 1944 Albert Mercadier*
1944 - 1948 Jean Noutary 1896 - 1962
(3) The situation after 1938 is not clear. It's possible the Governors
General continued as Commissioners of the Republic until 1946 and
that Montagné and his successors only were Superior Administrators
until that year.
All information on this subject is very welcome.
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