Battle of Kirbekan
Battle in the Mahdist War
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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.
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| Battle of Kirbekan | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Mahdist War | |||||||
Richard Caton Woodville, Jr.ː The War in the Soudan, the battle of Kerbekan (c. 1900) | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 United Kingdom•  Canada |
 Mahdist State | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| William Earle † | Unknown | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1,000 men | 9,000 men | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 60 killed | 2,000 killed | ||||||
Background
The British lost 60, among whom was General William Earle.[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]
- Squadron from 19th Hussars
- 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment
- 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
- D Company, 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders
- 45 Boatmen from Canada
