Erigo

Battle Name : Erigo

Date(s) : 06 October 1902

Part of : Operations against the "Mad Mullah" ,

Outcome : A victory for Somali Levy over Dervish force

Type of battle : Land

Summary

In Somaliland the battle against Mohamed bin Abdullah Hassan (The Mad Mullah) at Erigo on the 6th October 1902 brought to an end the first campaign against this very mobile Dervish leader. A British Officered Somali Levy with Central African Rifles and Indian support (total force of 1,500) fought off an attack by 12,000 horsemen and 3,000 spearmen on foot. Victory for the Somali Levy forced the Mullah to withdraw his forces to the eastern Nogal area of Somalia.

More details

News that the Dervish force was moving towards British protectorate territory from Somalia reached Col Swayne the Commander of the Somali Levy at Bohotleh at the end of September 1902. With a picked mobile force Swayne moved south east through the jidbaran Pass into the Haud to meet it. Camping overnight on 5th October at Erigo news was received of the proximity of the Mullahs force approaching from Mudug. On the morning of the 6th the Levy moved through dense bush in a loose square formation which was rushed by the Dervishes. Although the north face of the square was pierced and a Maxim gun lost the Yao Company of the CAR recovered the situation. Maj G.E. Philips RE attached Somali Levy was killed at the time the Maxim was lost. A close quarter battle continued throughout the day. Toward evening the Dervish withdrew and contact was lost ,but not before the Levy columns transport camels with ammunition and water had been stampeded. All was recovered apart from a crate of whisky

The Maxim lost during the battle was recovered in the last campaign against the Mullah in 1920, and stands in the Malawi Army Cobbe Barracks, Zomba. Capt. actg Lt/Col A.S.Cobbe 32nd Sikh Pioneers att. 1CAR was awarded the VC for working a Maxim and recovering wounded in the battle.

"Mad Mullah of Somaliland" Jardine Douglas, Herbert jenkins, 1923.
"The Warrior Mullah- The Horn Aflame 1892-1920," Beachey Ray, Bellew Publishing, 1990, ISBN 0-947792-43-0