First Battle of Vailele

The First Battle of Vailele occurred on 18 December 1888 at the German plantation of Vailele as part of the First Samoan Civil War. About 150 sailors from SMS Olga, SMS Eber and SMS Adler landed 80 marines near Apia to confront the Mata'afas rebels while the rest sailed along the coast on longboats. The Germans expected Government troops from Tamasese to reinforce them, however none had come. In the ensuing fighting, the Germans lost 16 marines and sailors in battle and 40 wounded; at least 14 died from their wounds, other sources claim that 30 were killed in total as well as the 40 wounded. almost 70% of their force. They fled to the coast where they were rescued by the longboats. Soon after German plantations and property in Vailele were all plundered and burnt down.

A memorial for the Germans killed at the battle was erected in a ceremony presided over by the commander of the unprotected cruiser SMS Sperber.