Dawn Attack on the Nile: The Battle of Firket 1896

Video Description

Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life. The Battle of Firket (also called the battle of Ferkeh or Firka), 7th June 1896, Sudan. It was the opening battle in General Kitchener's invasion of the Mahdist, fundametal Muslim state, that would end with his victory at the battle of Omdurman two years later. WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT MY CHANNEL 1)Become A Patron https://www.thehistorychap.com/Supporters-club or 2)Join My YouTube membership https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyTGpFsD0AJkQ6KSCW8d_Ug/join or 3) Make a one-off donation https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistorychap or 4) Join my Free weekly newsletter https://www.thehistorychap.com/Newsletter The Battle of Firket: Kitchener's Master Plan Begins On June 7th, 1896, Herbert Kitchener (later Lord Kitchener) launched the first major action in the reconquest of Sudan with a perfectly executed dawn assault on the fortified village of Firket. This wasn't just another colonial skirmish - it was a masterclass in military planning that proved the reformed Egyptian army could fight and win. After the Italian defeat at Adowa, Britain needed to create a diversion in Sudan. Kitchener, the Arabic-speaking Sirdar of the Egyptian army, had developed a methodical three-year plan to retake the country. Firket would be his opening move - and it had to succeed. The challenge seemed impossible: approach a village defended by 3,000 Mahdist warriors without detection, coordinate two separate columns across treacherous terrain, and achieve complete tactical surprise. The solution required 9,000 men to march through the night in absolute silence, many moving single file through rocky passages just six feet wide. The battle saw over 800 Mahdist casualties against just 20 Egyptian and Sudanese killed - proof that professional training and careful planning could overcome fanatical resistance. It was the first step on the road to Omdurman and the final reconquest of Sudan. March 1, 1896 - Italian defeat at Battle of Adowa March 18, 1896 - Kitchener's army moves to forward base at Akasha June 6, 1896, 3:30 PM - Infantry begins night march from Akasha June 6, 1896, 5:30 PM - Mounted column departs through desert June 6, 1896, 10:30 PM - Infantry reaches bivouac point, 3 miles from Firket June 7, 1896, 2:45 AM - Mounted division reaches position southeast of village June 7, 1896, 2:30 AM - Infantry resumes advance through narrow bottleneck June 7, 1896, 5:00 AM - Kitchener orders the attack to begin June 7, 1896, 7:20 AM - Village cleared, battle ends September 23, 1896 - Dongola occupied with minimal casualties The video also covers the stories of key commanders like Archibald Hunter, John Grenfell Maxwell, and Hector MacDonald ("Fighting Mac"). Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:34 War on the Nile 2:01 Herbert Kitchener 3:18 Invasion Plan 4:06 British in Minority 4:37 Advance into Sudan 5:56 Target Firket 6:44 Choices 7:12 Infantry Column 8:06 Cavalry Column 8:58 Dangerous Moment 9:40 Moving Forward 10:16 Night Advance 12:09 Dawn Attack 13:54 Dervish Horsemen 14:57 House to House Fighting 15:56 Casualties 16:53 First Blood to Kitchener 17:38 Interesting Footnote 18:05 The Sudan Machine 19:01 Battle of Omdurman 20:44 A Forgotten Battle Follow me at: www.thehistorychap.com Podcast: https://www.thehistorychappodcast.com Facebook:https://bit.ly/37IUfkH https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHistoryChap My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today. History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens. So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life. My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!" Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham and am a member of the Royal Historical Society. I am also a member of the Victorian Military Society, the Anglo Zulu War Society and the Military Historical Society. 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, 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. The History Chap is a trading name of Chris Green Communication Ltd, a company registered in England & Wales (Co No: 05025587)