Battle of Kirbekan

The Battle of Kirbekan was a battle in 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.

Battle of Kirbekan
Part of The Mahdist War
A British map of the battle
Date 10 February 1885 Location Mahdist Sudan mnaseir Result British Victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Mahdist Sudan
Commanders and leaders
William Earle †	Musa abu higel
Strength
1,000	9,000
Casualties and losses
60 killed	2,000 killed

Background

The British lost 60, among whom was General 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]

• 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

References

1. Thomas Benfield Harbottle, Dictionary of Battles, (New York, 1906)
2. The Melik Society | Sudan Campaign Archived June 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
3. "Sudan Wars, 1884-1889". 2007-10-20. Archived from the original on 2007-10-20. Retrieved 2020-08-21.