Jan Smuts Collection

Colonial possessions in East Africa during the First World War, c1916, (c1920). Creator: Unknown
Colonial possessions in East Africa during the First World War, c1916, (c1920). Map showing German East Africa, British East Africa, the Belgian Congo, Rhodesia, Uganda

The Campaign in East Africa, c1916, (c1920). Creator: Unknown
The Campaign in East Africa, c1916, (c1920)....map illustrating General Smutss operations in the heart of the German colony

The War in East Africa, 1916, (c1920). Creator: Unknown
The War in East Africa, 1916, (c1920)....map illustrating the conquest of Kilimanjaro and the first phase of General Smutss campaign

Lieut. General The Hon. J. C. Smuts, c1916, (c1920). Creator: Elliott & Fry
Lieut. General The Hon. J. C. Smuts, c1916, (c1920). Portrait of Jan Christiaan Smuts (1870-1950), South African and British Commonwealth statesman

Imperial Conference Meets in London, May 1943, (1945). Creator: Unknown
Imperial Conference Meets in London, May 1943, (1945). Group portrait of leaders of the four semi-independent Dominions and British politicians at a meeting during the Second World War

Imperial Conference of 1944, (1945). Creator: Unknown
Imperial Conference of 1944, 1945. Meeting of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers held in London, 1-16 May, during the Second World War

Experience Joins Hands With Youth, 1942, (1945). Creator: Unknown
Experience Joins Hands With Youth, 1942, (1945). British politician and statesman Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) with South African Prime Minister General Jan Smuts in the grounds of the British

The Empire builders. General Smuts leaving the Imperial Conference at No 10, Downing Street. 5 October 1923

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Jan Smuts, the Honourable General and statesman, led the British forces in the campaigns of East Africa during World War I in the late 1910s. Unseen images from that time depict the intense battles and colonial possessions under his command. Fast forward to the 1940s, Smuts, now an elder statesman, joined other imperial leaders at the Imperial Conferences of 1943 and 1944 in London, shaping the future of the British Empire. These rare photographs capture the wisdom and experience of Smuts as he collaborated with the youthful leaders of the time, symbolizing the unity and legacy of the empire builders.