This was one of the largest German raids into Nigeria, and shocked the recently appointed Allied commander in the region, Colonel Cunliffe.

Von Crailsheim had employed approximately 2,000 native laborers to strengthen his fortifications with barbed wire, earthworks, and dugouts, in preparation for a long siege.

[9] In preparation for the siege that von Crailsheim believed to be imminent, the forts stockpiled food, ammunition and other vital supplies.

[citation needed] French and British forces entrenched themselves around the forts at Garua and began to lay siege to the position on 31 May 1915.

The shelling also eroded the morale of the German troops defending the forts which had been built up after their initial successes in the war.

[10] One group of deserters attempted to break through the British and French lines and escape but was forced back to the forts by rifle fire.

[10] After losing a large proportion of the garrison and suffering severe bombardment, white flags rose from the German forts at around 4 p.m. on 10 June.

The capture of the German forts at Garua left the besieged stronghold at Mora isolated in northern Kamerun until its surrender at the end of the campaign.