During the Franco-Prussian War, von Schele was appointed Deputy Adjutant of the 2nd Guards Cavalry Brigade, and served as an orderly officer to Prince Albert of Prussia.

Upon his appointment as governor, Schele quickly began a pacification campaign against the Mbunga tribe, which had been fighting a rebellion against German rule since 1889.

[3][6] In March 1894, Schele's troops suppressed an uprising led by slave trader Bwana Heri, who had previously rebelled against the Germans during the Abushiri revolt three years earlier.

[7][8] In October of that year, von Schele initiated a new military campaign against the Hehe tribe and their leader, Chief Mkwawa.

[4][9] Nonetheless, von Schele was awarded the Pour le Mérite, the highest order of merit in the Imperial German army, on 20 November 1894 for his successful suppression of the Hehe.