The British Army on Campaign (4), 1882-1902

50 Pages·11.479 MB·English

by  Michael Barthorp, Pierre Turner

201 OSPREY· MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES
'lhe ..
r3ritish ufrmy
on (Jmpaign
(4):
1816-19
02
9
1882-1 02
Text IJy
MICHAEL BARTHORP
Colourplates IJy
PIERRE TURNER
MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES
I
I EDITOR: MARTIN WINDROW
The
~my
GJ3ritish
(4):
on @mpaign
9
1816-1 02
9
1882-1 02
Text by MICHAEL BARTHORP
COLOUT pLates by PIERRE TURNER
OSPREY PUBLlSHI)/G LONDO)/
Published in Ig88 by Artist's Note
Osprey Publishing Ltd Readers may care to note that the original paimings
Member company ofthe George Philip Group from which the colour plates in this book were
12-14 Long Acre, London WC2E gLP prepared are available for private sale. All
Copyright Ig88 Osprey Publishing Ltd reproduction copyright whatsoever is retained by the
publisher. All enquiries should be addressed to:
This book is copyrighted under the Berne Pierre Turner
Convention. All rights reserved. Apart from any fair 10 Church Street
dealing for the purpose ofprivate study, research, Lyme Regis
criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Dorset DT7 gBS
Act, 1956, no part ofthis publication may be The publishers regret that they can enter into no
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or correspondence upon this matter.
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
electrical, chemical, mechanical, optical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
prior permission ofthe copyright owner. Enquiries
should be addressed to the Publishers.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
BarIhorp, Michael
The British Army on campaign 1816-lgOO.
(Men-at-arms series; 201).
4: 1880-lgoo
1. Great Britain. Army, 1816-1902
1. Title I!. Series
g55'·00941
Filmset in Great Britain
Printed through Bookbuilders Ltd. Hong Kong
Errata-MAA l!j/i, MAA 19B
Regrettably the following colour errors have occurred
in previous volumes ofthis series:
(2) MAA Ig6: Plale Fo: shako ball tuft should be
green.
(g) MAA Ig8: Plate DI: water bottleshould be blue
grey with iron stopper and rims.
Plates Dg, EI, Hg: Greatcoats should be dark
grey/black with no blue shade.
Plate HI: Uniform should be black with no blue
shade.
(4):
The British Army on Campaign 9
1882-1 02
rhe Army for irs dual role ofImperial garrisoning
Introduction
and possible inrervenrion in Europe, coupled wirh
home defence (needs which in many ways
conflicred) wirhour recourse ro conscriprion, enlisr·
TheArmyof[882 hadjusremergedfrom rhemany ment had been alrered in [870 from long 10 shorr
modernising reforms effecred berween 1856-8 service, parr wirh the Colours and parr on rhe
I.
These included: centralisarion of rhe Army's Regular Reserve. The lauer had nor exisred
conrrol; reorganisarion of the logisric supporr inro previously,burcouldhenceforrhbemobilisedinrhe
Deparrmenral Corps; opening of schools of in evenr of a narional emergency. Foreign garrisons
srrucrion; abolirion ofrhe purchaseofcommissions; had been reduced; and Line infanrry regimenrs
improvemenrs in pay, living condirions and were linked rogerher and localised ro enhance
disciplinary measures; new weapons and tactics; recruirmenr, rraining and manning of ballalions.
and grearer inregrarion of rhe second·line Miliria This firsr, 1872 linkingsystem had to be developed
and VolunreerForcewirh rheRegularArmy.Tofir furrherin 1881 roprovidelargerinfanrryregimenrs,
based on terrirorial areas, embracing Regulars,
MiliriaandVolunreerswithcommondepors. Thus,
Tel-el-Kebir,Egypt188!:!::2/HighlandLightInfantryassaulting
theEgyptianpositions;afteraHarryPaynewater-colour.For by the opening of this period, the old numbered
a rear view of2/Royal Irish's attack, see MAA 107, page 12.
(Author's collection) regimenrs met in the previous ritles in this study
(MAA tg3, Ig6and Ig8) hadbeenamalgamared10
become rhe Regular baualions of regiments with
rerritorial designarions: e.g. rhe 39th and 54th
Regiments were now rhe [st and 2nd Baualions of
the Dorsershire Regimenr, which additionally had
3rd (Miliria) and [st (Volunreer) Ballalions.'
By [882 not all the reforms of the previous 25
years had been as successful as their initiators had
hoped and, though the possibility of a European
role remained, the Army had perforce been
commiued entirely to its Imperial funcrion, as
describedin MAA Ig8. Thishad inevitablyaffected
the Army's perception ofitselfand its approach 10
filling irselffor war.
During this last period the Army's Imperial role
remained pre-eminent. World affairs were domi·
nared, in Europe, by the rising power ofGermany,
but elsewhere, parricularly in Africa, by the
scramble for colonial possessions. II was thoughr
rhar the chief rhrears 10 rhe Brirish Empire were
IAs the 1St-25th Regiments already had two battalions, no
amalgamationswerenecessary,thoughallreceivednewtilies.The60th
(nowKing'sRoyalRifleCorps) andRifleBrigaderemainedwithfOUf
battalionseach. The 79th, now Cameron Highlanders, had onlyonc
Regular battalion until ,897.
3
France,and theRussianadvanceintoCentral Asia; Gordon's mission to evacuate the Egyptian
the territorial ambitions orboth nations influenced garrisons; the ratally belated expedition to rescue
British roreign and colonial policy and thus the himoncehewascutoffin Khartoum;thesubsidiary
Army's employment. operations around Suakin on the Red Sea; and
finally, theattempted invasionorEgyptitselrbythe
Mahdists. Therearter Mahdism was merely con
tained ror 13 years, until the blow delivered to
Campaiglls 1882-190?
European prestige by Italy's dereat in Abyssinia,
and French aspirations towards the Upper Nile,
required the reconquest or the Sudan and its
Concern for the security of Britain's com restoration to tranquillity under Anglo-Egyptian
munications with India, the Far East and rule.
Australasia through the Suez Canal led to the Elsewhere in Albca the consolidation orBritish
Army's first campaign or the period, and to authority and supprcssion or tribal uprisings
deployment ortroops into an area not visited since necessitated thedeployment orBritish rorces, albeit
the Napoleonic War-Egypt and the Red Sea small, until well into the 18gos, including areas like
littoral. The quelling orArabi Pasha's nationalist Ashanti and Zululand which had already relt the
revoltagainsttheKhediveorEgyptand his Franco weight orBritish arms (see MAA Ig8).
British advisors, who had been attempting to France's intrigues with the King or Burma
restore Egypt to solvency, removed any threat to against British interests led to an expedition to
theCanaleitherrrom theNationalistsorrromother dethrone the king and annex Burma to India.
powers seeking to capitalise on an unstable Egypt. Though this was speedily accomplished, the
However, the ensuing assumption by Britain or
responsibility ror returning Egypt to stability
Hasbin, Dear Suakin, 188.5: the Guards Brigade's square
inevitably embroiled her in the Mahdist revolt shelteringInmancayalry;heightsattackedbya/Berkshireand
RMLI in background. After T. S. Seccombe. (National Anny
against Egyptian rulein theSudan.This\cd toGen. MuseulT\,as are remainder unless otherwiseattributed.)
4
pacification of Upper Burma developed into a Burma, 1886: MountedInfantry (seealso PlateD2)onpatrol.
From The Graphic, after an officer's sketch. (Author's
protracted campaign. collection)
Within India itself the Russian threat from
Central Asia continued to preoccupy political and needed to be done to fit it for 20th century warfare
military minds, and war with Russia over an fought with modern weapons.
Afghan border incident was narrowly averted in Below are listed the campaigns and expeditions
1885 (a danger which brought operations in the in which the British Army took part between
Sudan toa halt). Tribal turbulenceon thefrontiers, 1882~1902. Against each are shown the battle
north-east as well as north-west, resulted in honours awarded and the cavalry and infantry
numerous punitive expeditions. The relief of the regiments to whom they were granted. The
besieged garrison of Chitral required the largest universal service ofthe Royal Artillery and Royal
deployment ofBritish soldiers in such expeditions Engineers was recognised by their joint motto of
up to ,895; but this was eclipsed in scale by the 'Ubique'. Where no battle honours were awarded
Pathan Revolt of 1897, when the North-West theregimentswhich tookpartaregiven in brackets.
Frontier blazed from end to end-fortunately The following abbreviations are used:
without co-ordination between the various tribes. N ~ North; E = East; S = South, or Scots,
The Indian Army contributed the major share of Scottish; W = West, or Wales, Welch; LG ~ Life
tfOOPSin Frontierand Burmeseoperations,and also Guards; RHG = Royal Horse Guards; DG ~
provided contingents for Egypt and the Sudan, Dragoon Guards; D = Dragoons; H = Hussars; L
1882-85. ~ Lancers; G = Guards; R = Royal; K = King's;
o
The last three years of the period witnessed ~ Own; F = Fusiliers; LI = Light Infantry; H
Britain's first major war since the Crimea and the ~ Highland, Highlanders; B = Borderers; KRRC
Indian Mutiny, and thegreatestinvolvementofthe ~ King's Royal Rifle Corps; RB = Rifle Brigade;
Army, including Militia, Yeomanry and Volun A&S ~ Argyll and Sutherland; DWR = Duke of
teers, since the Napoleonic War-the conflict with Wellington's; Y&L = York and Lancaster; Dets ~
the Boer republics of the Transvaal and Orange Detachments; MI = Mounted 1nfantry; CCR ~
Free State. Its long duration proved that, Camel Corps Regiments; RHA,RA ~ Royal
notwithstanding all the Army's post-t856 reforms (Horse) Artillery;RE = Royal Engineers; RMA ~
and its many successes in 'small wars" much still Royal Marine Artillery; RMLl = Royal Marine
5
Light Infantry; ballalions ofinfantry regiments ~ RHG, 2DG, 4DG, 5DG, ID, 2D, 5L,
1/,2/; regimentswithlongercountytitlesendingin 16L; Light-3H, 4H, 7H, loH, IIH,
shire are abbreviated, e.g. Northamptonshire 15H, 18H, 2oH, 21H; Guards
Northamptons; Derbyshire = Derbys. Grenadier G, Coldstream G, SG,
RMLT; MI-Somerset LT, RSF, Corn
1882 EgyptianWar. Tel-el-Kebir: ILG, 2LG, wall LT, R Sussex, S Staffords, Black
RHG, +DG, 7DG, IgH; 2/GrenadierG, Watch, Essex, R W Kent, KRRC,
I/Coldstream, G, I/SG, 2/R Irish, Gordon H, Connaught Rangers, RB.)
2/Cornwall LT, 1/B1ack Watch, 3/ 1885-89 Third Bunna War. Burma, 1885-87:
KRRC, 2/Y&L, 2/HLT, I/Seaforth H, 2/Queen's, 2/King's, 2/Somerset LT,
I/Gordon H, Cameron H, I/R Irish F. 2/RSF, I/RWF, 2/SWB, 2/Hampshirc,
Egypt 1882: All above plus: I/R Sussex, I/KOLT6, 2/R Munster F, 1/ & 4/RB.
I/S Staffords, 2/Derbys I/Berkshire, (RA; 1/ & 2/ Torfolk, 2/Leicesters, 1/ &
l,
I/R W Kent, I/K Shropshire LT, 1/ 2/Cheshire, I/Hampshirc, 4/KRRC.)
Manchester, 8/London'. (RA; RE; 1888 Suakin Operations. (2/KOSB,
RMA; RMLL) I/Welch.)
1884 BechuanalandFieldForce. (6D; RA; 1888 Sikkim Campaign (NE India). (RA;
RE; I/RS.) 2/Derbysl.)
1884-85 FirstSudanWar (includingDefenceof 1888 North-West Frontier (Hazara/Black
Egyptian Frontier, Dec 1885). Mountain). (RA; 2/Northumberland F,
Egypt /8843: IoH, IgH; I/Black Watch, I/Suffolk, 2/R Irish, 2/R Sussex, 2/Sea
3/KRRC, I/Y&L, I/Gordon H, 2/R forth H.)
Irish F. Abu Klea (AK), Kirbekan (K), 1888 Zulu1and Uprising. (6D; RA; I/RS,
Nile 1884-854: IgH(AK); I/R Irish, Dets-I/R Inniskilling F, I/N Staffords.)
'is
2/Cornwall LT, I/R Sussex(AK), 188g"90 Chin-Looshai Expedition (NE In
Sta!fords(K), 1/B1ack Watch(K), 2/Es dia). (I/KOSB, Dets-2/Norfolk, 1/
sex, I/RW Kent, I/GordonH, Cameron Cheshire.)
H. Tofrek(T), Suakin 1885: 5L, 2oH; 1889"92 BurnJ.ese Expeditions. (2/Devons,
3/Grenadier G, 2/ColdsIream G, 2/SG, I/Cornwall LT, I/Hampshire, 2/0x[ords
I/E Surrey, I/Berkshire(T), I/K Shrop Ll', 4/KRRC, 4/RB.)
shireLT. (RA;RE; I/Yorkshire', RMLT, 1891 North-West Frontier. (Samana: RA;
2/Durham LT; Dets,CCR: Heavy-LG. I/KRRC, Det-2/Manchester. Hazara:
I/RWF, I/KRRC, 2/Seaforth·H.)
18g1 ManipurExpedition(NElndia). (RA;
ReliefofChitraJ, ISgs:MaxiIllsof./Devonsinaction.(Navy&
Armylllustraud) I/KRRC, DeH/Buffs.)
6
1892~3 Chin-Kachin Hills Expedition (NE I/Seaforth H, I/Cameron H. Khartoum:
India). (RA; Dets-l/Norfolk, 2/York As Albara plus: 21L; I/Grenadier G,
shire'.) II orthumberland F, 2/Lancashire F,
1893 Matabeleland Revolt. (3DG; RA; 2/RB. (RA; RE; DeLS-I/R Irish F,
RE; Det-2/DWR.) 2/Connaughl Rangers.)
1894-95 North-West Frontier (Waziristan). Pathan Revolt (Toc/li, Malakand, Moh
(2/Border, Dels-l/Devons, 2/SWB.) mand, Tirah Field Forces). Tirah:
1895 North-West Frontier (Reliefof Chil l/Queen's, 1IDevans, 2/Yorkshire',
ral). Chitral: I/Buffs, I/Bedfords, 21 l/RSF, 2/KOSB, I/DorseLS, 2/Derbys',
KOSB, liE Lancashire, l/KRRC, II 1I OrlhamplOns, I/Gordon H (Det
Seaforth H, I/Gordon H. (Det-!I I6L; RA; I/Buffs, I/Somerset LJ, 2/R
Devons.) Jrish, 2/R InniskillingF, I/Cornwall Ll,
1896 Ashanti Expedition. (RE; 2/W York 2/R Sussex, 2/0xfords LJ7, I/R WKent,
shire, Dets-Grenadier G, Coldstream G, 2/KO Yorkshire Ll, 2/HLl, 2/A&SH,
SG, Northumberland F, Devons, KO 3/RB.)
Yorkshire L1, K Shropshire L1, R Irish 189g Second Boer War". Modder River (M);
F, Leinsler, RB.) 1902 Difence of Kimberley (DK); Reliif if
1896-97 Rhodesian Field Forces (Matabele Kimberley (RK); Paardeberg (P); De
land, Mashonaland). (7H; RA; RE; fence ofLadysmith (DL); ReliififLadys
2/DWR, MI DeLS- orfolk, R Irish, mith (RL); South Africa, JlJ99-Jfj02: ILG
Hampshire, S Lancashire, Derbys', (RK, P), 2LG (RK, P), RHG (RK, P),
KRRC, Y&L, R Irish Rifles, R Irish F, 5DG (DL), 6DG (RK. P), ID (RL), 2D
R Dublin F, RB.)
189~8 Second Sudan War. Haftr: liN Staf Landingin West Africa ofthe 18g6 Ashanti Expedition. The
troopsareinhonteserviceundresswithhelmetsandcanvas
fords. Atbara: l/R Warwieks, '/Lincolns, gaitersand mixed 188~/I888equipntent.
7
Tirah 109?: I/Gordon Highlanders attacking the Dargai 2{R Berkshire, 2{KO Yorkshire LI (M),
Heights.After LioneljaD'les,the war correspondent.
2{K Shropshire LI (P), I{(DL), 3{(RL)
& 4{KRRC, I{(DL) & 21 1anchester,
(RK, P), SL (DL), 60, gL (RK, P), loH I/Y&L (RL), I{Durham LI (RL),
(RK, P), 12L (RK, P), 13H (RL), 18H I/HLI (M), 2{Seaforth H (P), I/(P) &
(DL), IgH(DL); 21 & 3/(M) Grenadier 2/(DL) Gordon H, 2{R Irish Rifles, I{&
G, II & 2/(M) Coldstream G, I/(M) & 2/(RL) R Irish F, I{Connaught Rangers
2/SG, I/RS, 2/Queen's (RL), 2/KO (RL), I{A&SH (M, P), I{ & 2{R
Lancaster (RL), II & 2{(M) Northum Munster F, I{ & 2{(RL) R Dublin F,
berland F, 2{R Warwicks, 2{RF (RL), I{(RL), 2{(DL) & 4{RB. (RHA, RA;
I{Kings(DL), I{(DL) & 2{(RL) Devons, RE; RM.) South Africa, 19oo-o2: 7DG,
I{Suffolk, 2{Somerset LI (RL), 2{W 8H, 14H (RL), 16L(RK,P), 17L;2{Buffs
Yorkshire (RL), '/Leicesters (DL), (P), 2{ orfolk (P), 2/Lincolns (P), 2/E
I/Yorkshire' (RK, P), 2{Lancashire F Yorkshire, 2/Bedfords, ,{R Irish,
(RL), I{RWF (RL), 2{Cameronians 2/Cheshire,2{SWB, I/KOSB (P), I{ &
(RL), I{(RL) & 2/R Inniskilling F, I{ & 2/Worcesters, I{E Lancashire, I{DWR
2{(RK, P) Gloucesters, 2{E Surrey (RL), (P), I{R Sussex, 2{Hampshire (P), I{S
2{Cornwall LI (P), {Border (RL), Staffords, I{Oxfords LF (P), 2{R W
I
2{Dorsets (RL), I{S Lancashire (RL), Kent, 2{Middlesex (RL), 2{Wiltshire,
I{Welch (RK, P), I{ & 2{(P) Black 2{N Staffords, I{Cameron H, I{ &
Watch, I{(RK, P) & 2{Essex, I{Derbys', 2{Leinster.
I{Loyals' (DK), 2{ orthamplOns (M), SOllth ..!{rim. lI"JDI ()2: IDG. 20G. 1DG.
8
7H,20H. from any standard form of attack or defence
South Africa, 1902: 3H. formation, and to allot troops to tbe different
Igoo Boxer Rebellion. Pekin I!)OO: 2/RWF. echelonsaccordingtosuchfactorsastheterrainand
(RA; RM.) nature and strength ofthe enemy.
.\oleJ: The conceptofthe infantry attack envisaged the
ISherwood Foresters (including Nottinghamshin: frum 1902).
!PO.'lt Ollie\: Rifles (Volunteers). pushing forward of the firing line, reinforced as
IFighling'HoundSuakin, BattlcsofEl Teb, Tarnai. necessary by its supports and reserve, to a position
4Gord0l1 ReliefExpedition.
5Now Green Howards. from whicb its fire could so dominate and envelop
'King'sOwn Light Infa11try (SolJlh Yorkshire) until 1887; llwrcancr
theobjective, that thesecondlinecouldassaultwith
King's Own Yorkshire Lighl Infantry.
'HuckinA"hamshil'cadded Ig08. the bayonet. The taskofthe third, reserve line was,
8~cn'ice was rccogniscd b~ lhe gCIH.:r;d honour S'I/IIII Ajrim with
rcJc-vanl d;tl~'s and spedfie honours lor ()pn;lliullS between Oct in theeventofsuccess, topursue theenemyor,ifthe
1~J9 Feb 19°0 showlI abbreviated in brac-kCls ancr rcg-i attack failed, to cover tbe retreat of the first and
mcnts/baltalions so entitled. The honour SOl/til AJi"ica wilh relevant
dates toall Ycoll1:111ry involved. tvlilitia and Volunteer battalionsof second lines. In defence the first line provided the
rcgimcl1lsabove, and Volunteerbattalionsofthe London, Cambrid
advanced posts and a firing line as thick as possible
geshire and \1onmOUlhshire Regimenls (which had no Regular
battalions).Tht: honoursStlJrlfllGand Mr.di/em/7/n/7/wereawarded lO but still with its own supports and reserve. The
certain Mililia battalions for relieving Regulargarrisons.
~:"iorth I.allcashir-e. second lineguarded Ihe flanks and was prepared, if
necessary, to support the first line with fire or local
Fighting-Met/lOds counter-attacks. The tbird line was held ready to
deliver the main counter-attack.
Themaximum uscofcover was encouraged, but
Infantry subordinated to the maintenance of order and
The principle (first introduced in the late 1870s) of cobesion. The extent ofdispersion, laterally and in
giving depth to attack and detence formations by depth, adopted by a first line battalion, as well as
deploying in l'hree lines or, more accurately, two the distances between the three lines, were
and a reserve, with the first linedivided intoa firing determined by tbe type of ground; distance from
line followed by its own supports and reserve, was and density ofenemy fire; and the need for control
described in MAA 'g8. This principle remained in offircand movement. Movementin theearlystages
force throughoulthisperiod.Itwasnowinterpreted ofan attack was in normal quick time of120 paces
more flexibly than when first introduced, however,
Sudan,18g8:chargeofthe:ustLancersatOmdurman(seealso
commanders at all levels being urged to abstain
Plate F3)' After W. B. Wollen, war artistfor The Sphere.
g