At the bloody height of the First World War, British Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Spicer-Simson led a troop of 28 men into the heart of Africa. Their aim was to destroy three strategically important German ships on Lake Tanganyika.

In the course of their mission, they endured a nine thousand mile trek; they also dragged two ships through wild terrain, down fierce rivers and up perilous mountains. Few wartime achievements match Spicer-Simson’s successfully executed mission, which provided the basis for the Hollywood blockbuster African Queen. We explore the spectacular true story.

The man who led this epic mission was born in Tasmania in 1876 and entered the Royal Navy when he was just fourteen. Between 1911 and 1914, he led a survey of the Gambia River. This African experience would prove invaluable when he was entrusted with executing an expedition to attack the German navy on Lake Tanganyika during the First World War.

The highly risky naval expedition transported two motor-boats - armed with machine guns and cannons - overland from Cape Town. This entailed a 3,000 mile long journey through the Belgian Congo. The two boats, which were christened Mimi and Tou-Tou by the famously eccentric commander, were then launched on the lake.

Under Spicer-Simson’s personal command, the German Kingani was disabled and captured. The vessel was repaired into British service as Fifi, and Spicer-Simson was promoted from Lieutenant Commander to Commander. With the combined force of Mimi, Toutou, Fifi and two Belgian ships, Simson’s flotilla sank the Hedwig von Wissman. He was awarded the DSO for this achievement.

This gripping documentary celebrates the incredible real life achievements of one of Britain’s most eccentric and courageous military action heroes.