Franke was born in Zuckmantel, Austrian Silesia. He was Bezirksamtmann (district officer) in several locations in German Southwest Africa, especially Ovamboland and Kaokoveld. He was stationed at Outjo from 1899 until 1910, and was involved in several campaigns against native tribes who resisted German colonial rule. In the early phases of the Herero Uprising of 1904, he was dubbed "Hero of Omaruru", because of his victory over numerically superior Herero forces at Omaruru. He also had successful campaigns against the Herero at Okahandja and Windhoek.
At the beginning of World War I, he led a successful counter-attack against Portuguese forces at Naulila, Angola. On November 12, 1914, he became commander of the Schutztruppe after the death of Joachim von Heydebreck. He and 2,166 men surrendered to South African forces near Khorab on July 9, 1915. Five weeks later, South African troops controlled the entire German colony.
In 1919, Franke left Southwest Africa and retired as a Major-General from the German army in 1920. Today at Omaruru stands the "Franke Tower", a monument in testimony to his military exploits in 1904. Three kilometers outside of the town of Otavi on the Tsumeb Road is a memorial marking the German surrender at Khorab. Also, in the town of Outjo is the "Franke House Museum".
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Last updated on Thursday May 01, 2008 at 01:03:30 PDT (GMT -0700)
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