Tsingtau, China 1914 (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

As part of its project of imperial expansion in the late 19th Century, the Germans sought port facilities in China. On November 14, 1897 the Germans annexed Kiautschau as a base of military and commercial operations. In the same year they leased the nearby fishing village of Tsingtau (Tsingtao) which they fortified as a port and naval base to be administered by the Reichsmarinesamt (Deprtment of the Navy). The location was strategiacally important and became the home of the German East Asia Squadron. In 1914 with the outbreak of World War I, the Japanese declared war on Germany. With British help, the Japanese conquered the German colony in China, ending Germany’s imperial ambitions in the area. What follows is a series of illustrations leading up to a photograph of the German Colonial Navy marching near the Bay of Tsingtau using figures created by Beau Geste.

1905 German Stamp from China

 

[PolarBear]

German warships, Tsingtau Harbor

 

[PolarBear]

German sailors march through Tsingtau, 1897

 

[PolarBear]

German Navy Artillery Sailors, Tsingtau

 

[PolarBear]

German Naval Officer, China

 

[PolarBear]

Colonial German Naval Band, marching along the shores of Tsingtau Bay, Spring 1914.
Figures by Beau Geste

 

[theBaron]

Another nice band from Beau Geste!

Looking at the pic of the German ships in the harbor, it occurred to me that it must have been miserable about the smaller vessels, on the open sea. Is the one closest to the camera a torpedo boat? Imagine being aboard one of those in a typhoon!

I think the Germans introduced brewing in their colony, didn't they? There was a brand called Tsingtao, which might still be available, and I think its origins go back to the German protectorate, though I may be mistaken.

Prost!
Bradley

 

[PolarBear]

1903 Tsingtao beer created by German colonists--still made in China

 

[redhugh]

1903 Tsingtao beer created by German colonists--still made in China

Interesting , didn't know Tsing Tao was orginally brewed by the Germans.

 

[Mister Dave]

Thanks Randy for another excellent history lesson. Those are some really great photos BTW.

MD

 

[Harrytheheid]

Thanks Randy for another excellent history lesson. Those are some really great photos BTW.

MD

The photo's are really interesting aren't they Dave - thanks for posting them Randy.
I confirm tha Tsing Tao beer is still in production and available everywhere I've been in China. I find it a bit heavy though and gives you some headache after the first 20 bottles or so.....
I myself prefer "Lowen" beer which is brewed in Dalian. In fact I've found a few micro-breweries in Dalian. One of them does a green beer, another does a blue one. Okay, it's only food dye (I hope), but it does seem strange when you're drinking the stuff.

Cheers
H

 

[1879fanatic]

Randy,

Love the pictures and keep the history coming. I recently finished the book "Gunboat" about the British and US navies. This thread gives me more of a perspective . Thanks Mike

Harrytheheid: Keep head down, hat on and bottled water handy!

 

[PolarBear]

Randy,

Love the pictures and keep the history coming. I recently finished the book "Gunboat" about the British and US navies. This thread gives me more of a perspective . Thanks Mike

Harrytheheid: Keep head down, hat on and bottled water handy!

Mike

My thread was inspired by watching The Sand Pebbles the night before. It is about a US Navy gunboat (The San Pablo) in Chinese waters in the 1920s. it received 9 Academy Award nominations. If you have not seen it and like this subject, it is a must.

Randy

 

[VIRIATO]

Very interesting stuff and precious photos. Many thanks for posting these.


Regards,
Paulo

 

[Capitolron]

Sand Pebbles is a great flick - A Must See for War Movies

 

[nmrocks]

Tsing Tao my favorite, I have a 6 pack in the fridge at all times(except when I play poker)

 

[Harrytheheid]

Tsing Tao my favorite, I have a 6 pack in the fridge at all times(except when I play poker)

Aye, it's not a bad beer, but sometimes I just crave for a good pint of guiness....

Cheers
H

 

[Christopher Walkerloo]

delightful connections told in pictures. and it ends with a beer! top story telling. the things 'sanity' is made of.

thanks awfully.

Chris.

 

[Harrytheheid]

delightful connections told in pictures. and it ends with a beer! top story telling. the things 'sanity' is made of.

thanks awfully.

Chris.

Hi Chris,
Aye, an excellent thread.
Informative beginning, deteriorating middle part, and a nice ending. Fairly typical I would say. There's no legislation that says we can't have a wee bit of fun.
Welcome to the TF forum BTW.

Cheers
H

 

[Deitz]

1903 Tsingtao beer created by German colonists--still made in China

I will try to pick up some Tsingtao for this weekend. A group of my friends will be going to the NASCAR race this weekend at the Chicagoland Speedway.
We will be tailgating on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I will tell everyone it is really a German beer.

This is a GREAT FORUM, I joined to get info on Toy Soldiers and I get recommendations on beer. I wish I would have joined earlier.