Battle of Kirbekan explained

Conflict:Battle of Kirbekan
Partof:the Mahdist War
Date:10 February 1885
Place:Mahdist Sudan mnaseir
Result:British victory
Combatant1: United Kingdom
Combatant2: Mahdist State
Commander1:William Earle
Commander2:Musa abu higel
Strength1:1,000
Strength2:9,000
Casualties1:60 killed
Casualties2:2,000 killed

The Battle of Kirbekan took place during the Mahdist War. It was fought February 10, 1885, when the British Nile Column, about 1,000 strong, under General Earle, stormed the heights of Kirbekan, which were held by a strong Mahdist force, and totally routed them, with heavy loss.

Background

The British lost 60, among whom was General William Earle, killed.[1] It was the first appearance of the Egyptian Army Camel Corps under Bimbashi Marriott in action.[2] A brass plaque on the North wall of Lichfield Cathedral commemorates the death of Lieutenant colonel Philip Eyre of the First South Staffordshire Regiment in the battle.

Forces

The British forces involved in the battle were:[3]

Notes and References

  1. Thomas Benfield Harbottle, Dictionary of Battles, (New York, 1906)
  2. http://www.melik.org.uk/campaign.htm The Melik Society | Sudan Campaign
  3. Web site: 2007-10-20. Sudan Wars, 1884-1889. https://web.archive.org/web/20071020113436/http://www.regiments.org/wars/19thcent/85sudan.htm. dead. 2007-10-20. 2020-08-21.