The Battle of Abu Klea 1885 | British-Mahdist War, Sudan
Vložit
- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- The Battle of Abu Klea, 17th January 1885, Sudan
The Battle of Abu Klea, (also known as the Battle of Abu Tulayh) was fought between the Sudanese Mahdists and a British Army attempting to rescue General Charles Gordon, who was besieged in Khartoum (“Gordon of Khartoum”).
Join my Membership Channel to get exclusive videos (& more)
/ @thehistorychap
Related videos:
The Battle of El Teb 1884(plus background as to why British were in Sudan)
• The Battle of El Teb 1...
The Battle of Tamai 1884
• The Battle of Tamai 18...
Gordon of Khartoum
• General Charles Gordon...
The Battle of Omdurman
• What Happened At The ...
Join my Supporter's Club
www.thehistorychap.com/Suppor...
During the Battle of Abu Klea a ferocious attack by the Mahdi’s army actually managed to get inside the British Army square.
The ensuing hand-to-hand fighting became a “soldiers battle” where training, adrenaline and personal courage turned a near disaster into a British victory, but at the loss of a larger than life Victorian hero who, some people believe, was the model for George MacDonald Fraser’s “Harry Flashman.”
A British army (under General Sir Garnet Wolseley) had been sent to Sudan to rescue General Charles Gordon who was besieged by the army of the Mahdi in Khartoum.
Wolseley decided to send part of his army on a short cut across the desert to arrive way up the Nile and then to race towards Gordon.
This Desert Column consisting of 1,500 British soldiers was commanded by Major-general Sir Herbert Stewart.
The main part of his Desert column consisted of 4 regiments of the Camel corps plus the 19th Hussars (who were mounted on Syrian ponies), an infantry battalion, the 1st Royal Sussex Regiment and a Royal Navy Brigade armed with a Gardner machine gun.
On the 17th January, the British Desert Column found their way blocked by 12,000 Mahdist warriors at Abu Klea.
Advancing in a square, the British were attacked by the Dervish army.
The Sudanese warriors managed to get to within 80 yards of the British square before the British volley fire stopped them.
Yet, rather than retreating they wheeled along the side of the square heading for the back left corner.
Here the men from the Heavy Camel Regiment were struggling to keep the square intact, not helped by being ordered to open up and allow the Royal Naval Brigade under Captain Sir Charles Beresford to move out with his Gardner machine gun.
Beresford fired off 70 rounds before the Gardner gun jammed and his unit were overwhelmed by the Sudanese.
The left rear of the square dissolved as the torrent of Mahdists surged through the breach.
A mounted Sheik actually rode into the square, planted his flag firmly into the ground and started reading the Koran aloud.
He was shot by an unknown British soldier and fell on top of his banner.
The Battle of Abu Klea descended into a soldier’s battle - officers were no longer able to issue smartly actioned orders - it was a fight to the death.
In the end the British were able to reform their square and the Mahdists were defeated, losing nearly 1500 men.
The British lost 70 men killed and a similar number wounded - 10% of the Desert Column.
Support my work by becoming a Patron
www.thehistorychap.com/THC-Su...
#thebattleofabuklea #mahdistwar battleofabutulayh
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:03 Rescuing Gordon in Khartoum
2:45 Wolseley’s Desert Column
5:15 Colonel Fred Burnaby
6:56 Mahdist Block The Route
8:27 The British Square
11:07 Battle of Abu Klea
14:08 Beresford & his Gardner Gun
16:40 The British Square Breaks
17:50 Square is Saved
22:42 Conclusion
24:40 The History Chap
Follow me at:
www.thehistorychap.com
Instagram:bit.ly/3iySrAj
Facebook:bit.ly/37IUfkH
/ thehistorychap
My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or CZcams animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
I'm from Sudan, nice to see a British historian talk about the Anglo-Mahdist wars. I thought modern day Britain forget about the war since no one talk about it that much in the media (perhaps since its not a modern war or due to post colonial criticism) but we in Sudan continue to celebrate the legacy of our war and ancestors despite modern-day internal views against Al-Mahdi (Muhammad Ahmad), since we consider him to be at least a revolutionary leader who sought independent from foreign rule. With that being said both sides of the armies held brave men who relentlessly fought for their cause despite the difficulties, the horrible terrain and weather !
Bashar, Thanks for taking the time to comment and to present your Sudanese perspective. I worked in Khartoum about 10 years ago. Happy memories.
@@TheHistoryChap Really amazing! If may I ask, were you in Khartoum for a diplomatic mission, aid, archaeology or just a historian 😅 ... 10 years is a long time, I wish if you could do a video about that, I like history (specifically colonial history/ancient English history) CZcams recommended your channel and I've subscribed immediately, can't wait for more history about the Anglo-Mahdist wars, I enjoy learning about history from other people prospective, will you talk about other battles too? Like Shaykan which was a Mahdist victory and happened prior to Abu Klea, the number of solders on both sides were huge and I wanted to know how did Hicks Pasha lose, and was Churchill right when he talked about the fact that Hicks' army not being paid? Sorry for the long reply but I really wants a chronicle and modern historical views about the war. In a way, that war was fought between our great ancestors and created a shared history between us and Britain despite the fact it was during the colonial area. Thank you for your efforts!
@@basharabdelkarim9548 it's people like you that makes history so wonderfu. Your non-partisan attitude is not common in this modern age but necessary in order to understand and give credence to the stories of what has gone before. Treated like shame, forgotten at best, derided and downtrodden, the history of true heroes should be remembered in awe, for who is alive in modern life who can hold a match to the exploits of these forgotten men.
Chris,
I'm out of breath and my throat is parched. Very well done sir. Thank you.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
What an incredible insight into what the battle of Cannae or Towton must have been like. To be so tightly swept along amidst your enemies that neither you nor them can deliver blows... It never occurred to me that this must have been something that ancient soldiers experienced all the time.
It's what put Glad in Gladius!
The conditions sounded absolutely horrendous total respect to all the involved
May they rest in peace
Thanks for your comment & for watchjing my video
As always, awesome production! You have a knack for making a listener almost feel they are at the battle!
Jared, that's very kind of you. Thanks.
Very true! Chris is a master story teller!
Really enjoying this series, I,ve read about the battle of Omdimum, and knew it was (simply put) something to do with revenge of Gordon, but have never really known the full context.
And I’m a shamed to say (as a military history buff) that I definitely didn’t know much about many of the battles you’ve covered, especially in the Victorian period.
Thank you for bringing history to life.
My pleasure. Glad that you are enjoying my stories.
Omdurman was fought in a different campaign (about 13/14 years later).
@@douglasherron7534 As mentioned, I don’t know much about the Victorian period, though I did know they were separate campaigns, but this latest series has put it into context.
Explaining
The route cause of Britains involvement in Sudan.
Why Britain was in Sudan, which was technically part of the Turkish Empire.
What Gordon was doing in Khartoum.
How/why the relief column failed to reach Khartoum.
The failure of this campaign subsequently led to reconquest of Sudan by the British, culminating at Omdurman
It also explains the presents Egyptian forces at the battle.
@@wyverncoch4430 I agree, the series is excellent - I'm a subscriber to the channel. I was merely pointing out that Omdurman was not directly linked to Gordon as it was part of the later campaign (along with the Battle of Atbara).
What a story teller! Listening to this chap is a pleasure. So many amazing military engagements come to life with story. Thanks!
Very kind words, thanks. Please do subscribe to my channel.
Thank you Chris for telling this story which I always wondered the origins of Colonel Burnaby’s song.
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.
Another great video! Please do one on COL Burnaby!
Great video, Burnaby is indeed one of those larger than life heros, well deserving a video. Thanks for sharing.
I will add Fred Burnaby to my list for the very near-future. Thanks.
Thank you so much! Really enjoyed it.
Thanks Chris - An excellently presented account. You’re doing a brilliant job!
Really kind of you, thanks.
Thanks for posting 👍🏼 ✨
My pleasure.
Another great video, thanks.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Yet another fantastic video Chris!
I think we’d all love to hear the full story of Frederick Burnaby.
Keep up the good work! 😊
Thatnks for your kind words. Fred Burnaby is on the way.
It is a tale worth telling, I have read about him.
Thanks again Chris, excellent video, I had to watch it in stages, but I loved it. Keep them coming, Cheers
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching
Thank you for covering this famous battle .I thoroughly enjoyed this.Great work.
My pleasure, thanks for watching.
Avid fan of your videos here from the Philippines. I enjoy your vigor in telling the stories.
Very kind. A fan of Filipino food over here in England!
Maybe a story on the British occupation of manilla is in order?
Wonderfully researched and told as usual, Chris
Very kind of you.
ANOTHER WONDERFUL VIDEO,OF COURSE,AS EXPECTED!
Very kind of you, thanks.
educational and very entertaining. Fantastic work. Thank you.
Thank you for watching my video about Abu Klea.
Well done!!! Really love your presentation and narration. It really brings the event to life.
Very kind of you. Thanks
You have such enthusiasm in your presentations, fantastic as always
Many thanks.
Chris great as usual. Thanks so much. Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Merry Christmas to you too.
Another well researched and delivered blog. Your style of delivery, as always, is most informative and easy on the ear. Please keep them coming.
Thanks for your supportive message.
great video History chap, had not seen the Mahdist war history yet and appreciate you shining some light on it.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Totally engrossing narrative. Your use of images depicting the battle was superb. Always enjoyed your videos. Thank you.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment.
I enjoyed this video, as I do all of them. You are an excellent history teacher with your engaging style. Love it!
Very kind of you. Thanks.
I had this on in the background while doing some bits and bobs and it was fascinating, thank you.
thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.
How am I only finding this channel now? Brilliant work. Subscribed.
Thanks for your support. Loads more videos planned for 2023.
Brilliant as ever,you actually manage to not only impart history, but make it exciting. My thoughts ‘sod this for a game of soldiers’. And interesting how many future senior officers and the off statesman were involved in this extended campaign in Sudan.
Andy, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
🤗 Incredible work and very well made! Your narration is superb. I couldn't put it down! Again, simply amazing report! Thank you for sharing your experiences! Best wishes and cheers!
Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed it.
Great video and you really make it easy to imagine just how chaotic these battles must have been, well done and thank you.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
Great stuff,could have done with this when I was reading about this period of British History fifty five years ago, the backround knowledge makes your work so much more enjoyable.
Your research on individuals involved is oustanding,brings each battle and campaign to life.
Excellent video ... and we definitely need a Burnaby special.
The best I can offer is a video about the man.
Absolutely brilliant. Chris.
Very kind of you. if you enjoy my work then please sign up for my newsletter at www.thehistorychap.com
Love, love, love this channel.
Thank you. Make sure you subscribe.
My dad encountered the Hadendowa when stationed in the Sudan at the end of WWII he was very impressed by them, who wouldn't be. I have three of their characteristic daggers, he bought home with him as well as some photographs of these impressive guys. Their grandfathers had very likely fought against Wolseley's column. Being of a certain English generation I recall sir Henry Newbolt's poem and Kipling too, "here's to you fuzzy wuzzy" Burnaby's monument I know outside St Phillip's in Birmingham.
Thanks for sharing your father's experiences.
My step father served with the Royal Fusiliers in the Sudan in the Suez campaign in 1956. I believe it was the last British regiment stationed in Khartoum.
So ur father worked for imperial England, invaded foreign lands with no connection to England, helped slaughter thousands of Sudanese people, stole their resources and art and fucked off home after?
He no worse than a nazi
Superbly narrated history- outstanding 🤩
Very kind of you. Thanks.
You Tell a GREAT Tale! about Great History!
Thank You Sir!
May We Have Another?
Very kind of you. Thanks. Another coming this Friday.
Really like your videos. They cover subjects very pertinent to us Brits and you present them in a very even handed way. We are certainly far from perfect!
Please keep them coming.
Thanks for your support. No we are far from perfect but then not many imperialist nations are/were.
@@TheHistoryChap Forgot to mention your style of presentation which is very good.
Great stuff! Really enjoyed that tale thanks!
My pleasure.
No matter if you disagree with British Victorian politics, you can't deny the courage and determination of the British army! Discipline and the pluck of the officers and men under able leadership can never be underestimated!
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
More on Fred Burnaby? Yes please!
Interestingly and very well delivered post on this battle, thank you for sharing.
Burnaby is on his way. Watch this space!
Awesome as always, your love of the subject comes through
I appreciate that, thanks.
Exceptional as always 👌 👏
Glad you enjoyed it.
You should definitely do episode on Burnaby. A fascinating character.
Will add to my list. Not sure I can produce before Christmas but maybe his story will cheer us up in the cold winter months.
great video again!
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.
Thank you, excellently told.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching
What a generation, those men were almost super hero's. Will their like ever be seen again?
A different breed.
Unfortunately not,
A union jack meant something back then.
As Always, Fascinating History Expertly Told!!!!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed my talk about Abu Klea.
What an interesting story, and I’ve never seen or read anything about it before. Thanks for what you do, friend.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Chris I always enjoy your stories and for a moment...I thought I was there!
Praise indeed. Thank you very much :)
Thank you sir, what a brilliant and well presented story....
Thank you for your kind comment
It was the title of this video that bought me here. I know this poem off by heart - Vitae Lampada. Great video. Regards from Down Under.
Thanks for your support, glad you enjoyed my video
Yes! Definately make a video about Burnaby.
This series is fantastic. I'm new to the story of Britain in Northern Africa so I'm on a bit of a learning curve right now. 👍👍👍👍👍
Glad you are enjoying. Fred Burnaby will be coming soon so please make sure you subscribe (if you haven't already).
@@TheHistoryChap Oh don't worry Chris. I subbed the first time I saw the channel. 👍
A great series. Thank you! Burnaby does deserve his own program.
And here it is:
czcams.com/video/DvQ8_eAY9Xc/video.html
Very interesting video big dog, thanks
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
One pleasure, besides listening to your enthusiastic narratives, is to view the Victorian pictures and paintings, depicting the various imperial conflicts.
Although the faces of the British squadies and officers tend to look unrealistically calm and stoic, in the face of possible imminent death, they, nonetheless, probably produced feelings of pride in their “target audiences”, of those who supported the contemporary, growing British Empire.
George, yes the paintings were meant to send a message to the target audience. Also, the audience had expectations too. Hence why artists still portrayed soldiers as wearing red when they were actually wearing Khaki.
Excellent video.
Very kind of you. Thanks.
Very exciting. Great presentation.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent video. I would love to see a piece on Colonel Burnaby. I have read all the Flashman books multiple times.
Burnaby is on his way very soon.
Excellent story telling. I almost felt I was there. Yes on making a video about the Colonel. Well done!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching
Thrilling storytelling! Thank you for this brilliant movies
There but one word to describe this battle....guts, yes pure guts at its core. Brilliant video on the subject Sir, once again you have come to scratch and delivered a mighty blow. 💯👌👊👍
Guts is a good word to describe it.
@@TheHistoryChap Sir it is an excellent word to describe the battle.
شكرا على الفيديو
My pleasure. Thanks for watching
Hi Chris. Would you consider a prog on the British invasion of the Kingdom of Benin in 1897(?), please? There has been much to do with the art of that kingdom recently but no mention of the reason behind the British Army's involvement there. Thank you. As always, excellent content.
I will add to my list. Haven't done anything on West Africa yet. Watch this space!
@@TheHistoryChap Western Africa was dominated by the great empire of Mali. One of its kings was of one of the wealthiest men in History. When he crossed Sahara desert with a gigantic caravan and arrived at Egypt, he was about to sink the "world" gold market, because of the huge amount of gold he used to pay everything the many persons in the caravan needed or wanted.
Just imagine how isolated were the Near East and Europe during the 14th century. Nobody knew about Mali and its fabulous riches.
I enjoy your series very much
Thank you.
Very well done that man , always well thought out and prepared kind regards Roy Bennett Wollongong NSW Australia.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Smashing stuff!
Thank you
Once again, a fascinating talk. Do you ever give public in-person talks?
I do and would love to do more. Please drop me a line via my website: www.thehistorychap.com
“ Beresford” I’m from Tramore Co Waterford here in Svendborg,Denmark now,well done follow your great uploads.
Very kind of you. Glad you are enjoying.
well done storytelling, thanks
Glad you enjoyed it! Please subscribe to my channel so you don't miss my future stories.
Many thanks Chris. Another ripping yarn!
Glad you enjoyed.
I normally do not like listening to a story about war , but would rather watch it on TV etc . To actually see what is happening , puts more life into it . But to you Sir History Chap , I must say that I thoroughly enjoy Listening to you Describe the Action , the Events , the Drama & Deaths on both sides . So all I will say is , thank you and I do look forward to more of your Descriptions of other Military Actions
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.
I enjoyed it verry much, I came here by accident. And the story was verry interesting so I kept watching the tale... thanks for making this and sorry for my bad englische writing .
I am glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.
Superb channel
Glad you are enjoying it. Thanks.
I consider myself an expert on CZcams history channels, and you sir, have one of the best. I would love a series on the battles of the American Civil War, is that something you can do in the future?
Very kind of you. As you have probably worked out, I tend to focus on stories involving British military (plenty of them!) but I might consider expanding outside of that theme in the future.
Well done! If possible, please more about the mahadist army of the time. Thanks!
Thank you.
Even my Mrs likes watching your videos, you and Mark Felton are my favourite History buffs.
Blimey, kind words indeed! Many thanks.
Great work Chris (as usual). Yes, it would be nice to know more about this flamboyant character, Frederick Burnaby. BTW, If I remember correctly Rudyard Kipling dedicated a poem to the Mahdist warriors known as "Fuzzie Wuzzies" and in the poem he mentions "the broken square". Greetings from a very hot Buenos Aires (37 degrees today!)
Fred Burnaby is now definitely on my list - coming soon!
Thanks for sharing Kipling's poem too.
Hope everyone in Buenos Aires is enjoying the football.
So 'ere's ~to~ you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, at your 'ome in the Soudan;
You're a pore benighted 'eathen but a first-class fightin' man;
An' 'ere's ~to~ you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, with your 'ayrick 'ead of 'air -
You big black boundin' beggar - for you broke a British square!' - Rudyard Kipling
"Fuzzie Wuzzies" were Beja/Hadendoa warriors from Eastern Sudan, lead by Osman Digna. They also broke the British square at Tamai.
Excellent thanks !! Would be a great story if you did do one ??
i think Fred Burnaby is coming up fast on the rails.
Awesome painting.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Dear Chris you have made me go too the books again 🎉🎉
Many thanks for your support
There's a monument to Burnaby in Birmingham Cathedral churchyard.
Well I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing.
Very exciting!
Glad you enjoyed it. Please subscribe to my channel so you don't miss future videos.
Thanks naming the Royal Sussex Regt correctly this time! My old regiment, though it was the Third Battalion the Queen’s Regiment (3 Queens) by then……
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Last Verse of Kiplings Fuzzy Wuzzy
'E rushes at the smoke when we let drive,
An', before we know, 'e's 'ackin' at our 'ead;
'E's all 'ot sand an' ginger when alive,
An' 'e's generally shammin' when 'e's dead.
'E's a daisy, 'e's a ducky, 'e's a lamb!
'E's a injia-rubber idiot on the spree,
'E's the on'y thing that doesn't give a damn
For a Regiment o' British Infantree!
So 'ere's ~to~ you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, at your 'ome in the Soudan;
You're a pore benighted 'eathen but a first-class fightin' man;
An' 'ere's ~to~ you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, with your 'ayrick 'ead of 'air -
You big black boundin' beggar - for you broke a British square!
Thanks for sharing the whole poem.
Thank you so much indeed
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Great video and a one on Fred Burnaby would'nt go amiss, thanks.
Many thanks. Burnaby coming next week.
Excellent video 📹
..AN OPEN BATTLE..
You have to admire the Sudanese warriors. They didn't have , artillery, machine guns or the benefit of a professional army.
The Sudanese relied on their athleticism and bravery to fight the best Army in the world in an OPEN BATTLE. Man to man 👨, no hiding.
Thanks for taking the time to comment about the Battle of Abu Klea.
My grandmother's uncle, Robert Gilman was in the 2nd Life Guards party on this expedition. I can't be sure that he was present at this battle because he died of disease at Abu-Fatmeh, 26th March 1885. He had previously taken part in 1882 in The Moonlight Charge at Kassassin.
Fascinating family, History, thanks for sharing
A story about Fred Burnaby would be most cool, didn't know he was the inspiration for Flashmen. This was a captivating seat edged account, the battlefield is a strange place when certain unforeseen dynamics can shift the outcome. That sense of a blunder out of ones control.
Glad you enjoyed my video. Battle of Abu Klea was a lot more knife-edge than the casualty figures suggest.
0:37 Flashman in the flashman papers is based off Harry Flashman of Thomas Hughes ‘Tom Browns’s Schools days’(By based off I mean he literally is meant to be the same character).
Great video by the way.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Very interesting subject matter!
Glad you are enjoying.
I may be wrong, but I believe this battle has been portrayed in the film “ the four Feathers.” Khaki forever!
It was…of a fashion, with lots of Hollywood licence! If you watched the film and then listen to my story you would be forgiven for thinking that they were two separate events 😂
love this series ... in Egypt and Sudan ... more please ..... great reading 😃😀😄 Chris
More coming soon.
@@TheHistoryChap thank you for your hard work Chris
By Jove, that was brilliant! I only stopped by to find some military details on Rudolf Carl von Statin Freiherr - which battles was he involved, please? Do you cover the battle of Om Wagarat, where it was reported, he lost 8,000 of his men in 20 minutes… and his escape from capture.
Thanks for commenting. You might enjoy this video too:
czcams.com/video/P8vE-f869WE/video.html
Some years ago I read that one of the weaknesses of this particular square was that the British dismounted cavalry were reluctant to aim at the dervish horses, which would have been most effective in breaking the impact of the charge.
Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting comment.
would love to hear more about Burnaby, Thank you for your incite.
Here is the video about Burnaby:
czcams.com/video/DvQ8_eAY9Xc/video.html
Chris, you are the master of telling a damn good yarn.
Thank you.
Fantastic delivery once again. What happened to Gordon after his rescue? I can imagine Gladstone wasn’t best pleased. Court martial?
Wait for the next part of the story
No spoilers please......