Battle of Culqualber
Culqualber Pass, on the road to Gondar, Amhara, Ethiopia
What happened
British, Commonwealth and Ethiopian forces under Brigadier Colin Blackden fought Italian and colonial troops under Colonel Augusto Ugolini. After Italy lost most of its East African empire in 1941, its last forces held out around Gondar. About 2,100 Italian and colonial soldiers defended a fortified ridge on the only road to the city. Surrounded and short of water, they held for months until a final attack on 21 November captured the position.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the last major Italian stand before Gondar. Together with the fall of Gondar, it ended conventional warfare in the East African Campaign.
What came next
Gondar fell on 27 November 1941, ending the last organised resistance by Italian forces in East Africa.
Did you know?
The defenders spread towels on the ground at night to soak up moisture from the air, then wrung them out for drinking water.
Timeline
- 6 August 1941The siege of Culqualber begins.
- 21 November 1941Culqualber falls.
- 27 November 1941Gondar falls.