Émile Storms
| Émile Pierre Joseph Storms | |
|---|---|
Engraving of Storms in 1886
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| Born |
2 June 1846 Wetteren, East Flanders, Belgium |
| Died | 12 January 1918 (aged 71) Ixelles, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Occupation | Soldier, Explorer |
| Known for | Founder of Mpala station, Congo |
Émile Pierre Joseph Storms (2 June 1846 - 12 January 1918) was a Belgian soldier and explorer who rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General. He is known for his work between 1882 and 1885 in establishing a European presence in the regions around Lake Tanganyika, during which he supported the White Fathers missionaries and attempted to suppress the East African slave trade.
Émile Pierre Joseph Storms was born at Wetteren in East Flanders, Belgium, on 2 June 1846. On 11 December 1861 he joined the 5th infantry regiment. He was promoted to second-lieutenant in the 10th regiment on 25 June 1870, and to Lieutenant in the 9th regiment on 25 March 1876. He was admitted to the War College on 29 August 1878. He volunteered for the International African Association, and on 25 February 1882 was assigned to the Cartographic Institute. He was given the task of leading an expedition to explore the east coast of Africa.
On 10 April 1882 Storms left Europe for Zanzibar. On his arrival his companion, Lieutenant Camille Constant of the grenadiers, fell ill and had to return to Europe. Storms learned that his contact, Guillaume Ramaeckers, had died at Karema on 25 February 1882. On 8 June 1882 Storms left the coast and marched via the mission of Tabora to Karema on the east coast of Lake Tanganyika. The journey was difficult and the caravan was attacked by Rouga-Rouga warriors several times. He reached Karema on 27 September 1882, where he found the station still held by Lieutenant J. Becker, whose term of service had expired.
Yassagula, chief of the village of Karema, attacked the station soon after Storms arrived. Becker counterattacked with his askaris, put Yassagula's men to flight and destroyed the village. A few months later Yassagula submitted, and from then on was a reliable ally. Becker left the station on 17 November on his homeward journey. Storms strengthened and expanded the post, which was now called Fort Léopold, and started to grow vegetables. He responded to an attack on his couriers with an expedition that defeated the rebel chief on 23 April 1883. However, the German scientist Richard Böhm who accompanied Storms was struck by two bullets in the leg during this action and was laid up for several months.
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