December 12, 1888.
By the Sawei River.
While the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance was constructing a new command center and government office in Shao Kui, the East African troops, after nearly half a month of rest, were finally prepared.
Under the cover of night, East Africa's 221st Division began crossing the river at the Mazanze ferry. The Sawei River stretches over 680 kilometers, so the Allies couldn't deploy too many forces along every section of the Sawei River defense line.
The 221st Division chose to cross at the western part of the Sawei River. Due to climate and other reasons, this area is the most primitive region of Mozambique, barely developed by the Portuguese. If not for the East Africa conflict, the Allies might not have even dispatched a small unit here.
