South West Africa

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Namibia became a German colony (German South West Africa) in 1884, although the British had annexed Walvis Bay in 1878.
During World War I, South African troops invaded South West Africa and forced the Germans to surrender.

South West Africa 1931

South West Africa 1961

South West Africa was administered by South Africa under the League of Nations. After World War II the South African government refused to hand over administration of Namibia to the United Nations.  The UN General Assembly formally terminated the South African mandate in 1966 and changed the name of the territory to Namibia in 1968.

Namibia (SWA) gained its independence on Mar. 21, 1990