The Niedermayer–Hentig Expedition, also known as the Kabul Mission, was a diplomatic mission to Afghanistan sent by the Central Powers in 1915–1916. The purpose was to encourage Afghanistan to declare full independence from the British Empire, enter World War I on the side of the Central Powers, and attack British India. One of the German officials involved in the expedition, Kurt Wagner, reached Herat and decided to stay there.[3]
In summer 1923, DACOM was founded by three Germans, including Kurt Wagner of the Niedermayer–Hentig Expedition, geographer Emil Trinkler, and Gotthilf Blaich, a technical consultant.[4] The company was originally called the German and Oriental Trade House (Deutsch-Orientalische Handelsgesellschaft), but the name was changed to DACOM a year later.[4] DACOM operated under a provisional license until July 1925.[4]
In 1924, Ebner succeeded Kurt Wagner as chief local representative of DACOM.[2]
In February 1925, DACOM was reported as doing a "fair amount" of business, acting as brokers for silvers for a new currency, and to have placed orders in Germany for wireless sets, machinery, and electrical materials.[2] At this time, Ebner found himself in conflict with the Afghan government which only permitted him to trade with persons selected by the government.[2]
By 1926, the German trading company had become one of the most successful in the country, second only to the Russian enterprises, and later on, it surpassed even them.[5]
On 15 April 1929, during the Afghan civil war of 1928-29, Habibullāh Kalakāni contacted Muhammad Musa Khan Qandahari, a director of DACOM, and 7 other Qandaharis, requesting them to assassinate Amanullah Khan (who was contesting the Afghan throne), promising them a large reward if they did so.[6]
DACOM was forced out of business due to economic difficulties relating to the 1928-1929 Afghan civil war.[4]