Imperial German Colonial and Overseas Troops 1885–1918Germanys 30 year colonial episode in Africa, the Pacific, and her enclave in China is a relatively unexplored aspect of the countrys history. Under the young Kaiser Wilhelm II, rivalry with the old colonial powers saw the protectorates, originally established by trading companies, transformed into crown colonies garrisoned by the newly raised Schutztruppe, with support from the Imperial Navys Seebataillone. Imperial German Colonial and Overseas Troops