Battle of Omdurman
Omdurman, Khartoum, Sudan
What happened
General Herbert Kitchener led a British and Egyptian army against the Mahdist army of Abdallahi ibn Muhammad, known as the Khalifa, successor to the Mahdi. Britain set out to reconquer Sudan, protect British interests including the Suez Canal, and avenge General Gordon, who was killed when Khartoum fell. At Kerreri, 11 kilometres north of Omdurman, the Khalifa's army attacked the British and Egyptian lines, and modern rifles, machine guns and artillery defeated it.
Why it matters
Result: British–Egyptian victory. Leader: Abdallahi ibn Muhammad. Why it matters: The battle showed how industrial weapons could defeat a much larger army fighting in traditional ways. It brought Sudan under British and Egyptian rule.
What came next
Kitchener was then sent to Fashoda on the Nile, where the Fashoda Incident nearly led to war between Britain and France.
Did you know?
The young Winston Churchill took part in a famous cavalry charge at Omdurman with the 21st Lancers.
Timeline
- 1885The Mahdi's forces take Khartoum.
- 2 September 1898Kitchener defeats the Khalifa's army at Omdurman.
- September-November 1898British and French forces face off at Fashoda.