Abstract
Equines (horses, mules and donkeys) have been used in warfare for thousands of years. In Sudan, they were used in the 18th and 19th centuries in inter-tribal fighting. Their principal use in the period under review, however, was in the Egyptian/British fight against the Mahdist forces between 1884 and 1898. At least seven regular British Army cavalry Regiments served in Sudan either as horse cavalry or as part of the Camel Corps. The Egyptian Army cavalry was also present. Elements of many other regiments also served, often as individual officers on secondment or as officer seeking “adventure” away from home postings. Horses were used in the classic cavalry roles of scouting, protection of communication lines and of infantry troops as well as in direct combat. Cavalry horses were supported by other equines to provide them with feed and other supplies. Horses were used in Horse Artillery (in Sudan these were all Egyptian Army, for towing guns and in heavier artillery (as were mules) for trailing or for carrying the parts if guns were disassembled. Equines were used in general transport to supply the needs of all other fighting units. These animals were vital to the operations and success of the British and Egyptian campaigns in the Sudan and without them victory would not have been achieved. Key words: Animals in warfare, cavalry, horse artillery, mounted infantry, Mahdist wars.
Highlights
Sudan is located in Northeast Africa, Egypt is to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, the new Republic of South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southeast, Eritrea to the east and the Red Sea to the northeast east (Figure 1)
The cavalry contingent comprised units of the 19th Hussars, two Squadrons of the 5th Lancers (10 officers, 249 other ranks and 200 horses) and two Squadrons of 20th Hussars and the 9th Bengal Cavalry
In the Sudan campaigns cavalry were used mainly as a screening or scouting force and to protect artillery and supply convoys. They were attached to small mobile units. Classic cavalry tactics, such as the charge, were less effective against the Sudanese forces as these rarely charged as a shoulder-to-shoulder mass but operated in smaller more mobile groups
Summary
Sudan is located in Northeast Africa, Egypt is to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, the new Republic of South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southeast, Eritrea to the east and the Red Sea to the northeast east (Figure 1). Leaving Khartoum on 9 September 1883, the force ( numbers may not be accurate) comprised 7 000 Egyptian infantry, mainly released from prison for the campaign, 400 mounted Bashi Bazuks (though most fought on foot, some called „akinci‟, were mounted), 500 cavalry, 100 Circassians, 10 mountain guns, 4 Krupps field guns and 6 Nordenfeldt machine guns This unpaid, untrained and undisciplined rabble has been described as "perhaps the worst army that has ever marched to war" (Churchill, 1973). The cavalry contingent comprised units of the 19th Hussars (withdrawn in early March), two Squadrons of the 5th Lancers (10 officers, 249 other ranks and 200 horses) and two Squadrons of 20th Hussars (nicknamed “Nobody‟s Own” as no royalty or dukes had let their names be used in the regimental title!) and the 9th Bengal Cavalry This last had no experience with lances on arrival in Sudan but was given lessons by the British 5th Lancers.
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