Somaliland Camel Corps
Encyclopedia
The Somaliland Camel Corps was a unit of the British Army
based in British Somaliland
from the early 20th century until the 1960s
.
Camel
s are a necessity in East Africa
, being as important as ponies are in Mongolia
. In Somalia
's drought stricken land, the camel was one of the only animals worth the effort associated with domestication.
in northern Somalia. They immediately recognized the affinity between the Somali people and camels. The "Somaliland Camel Constabulary" was an early attempt to harness this natural affinity militarily. By 1899, the "Mad Mullah" (Mohammed Abdullah Hassan
) period of Somali history had started. The period was to last until 1920.
at the hands of the "Mad Mullah." Hassan roamed British Somaliland and had already evaded several attempts to capture him. At Dul Madoba, 57 members of the 110-man unit were killed or wounded. The dead included the British commander, Colonel
Richard Corfield
.
On 12 March 1914, the British set out to create what was to become the "Somaliland Camel Corps" the better to maintain order in northern Somaliland
. The corps served gallantly against the "Mad Mullah", but after a total of four major expeditions to capture him Hassan remained on the loose. During the same period, the corps set an impressive standard by covering one-hundred-and-fifty miles in seventy-two hours. The camel corps grew to include some 700 mounted riders.
In November 1919, the British launched the fifth and final expedition
. In 1920, a combined land and air offensive—which included the Somaliland Camel Corps, the Royal Air Force
's Z Force, Somaliland Police, elements from the 2nd (Nyasaland) Battalion and 6th (Somaliland) Battalion of the King's African Rifles
(KAR), and an Indian battalion—finally defeated Hassan's army. Despite this defeat many Somalis continued to hail Hassan as a warrior hero and he remains the source of pride among modern Somali nationalists.
During the period between World War I
and World War II
, the Somaliland Camel Corps was re-configured the better to defend the protectorate in the event of a future war. In 1930, Colonel Arthur Reginald Chater
of the Royal Marines
was placed in command of a slightly smaller corps of five-hundred troopers. Like many other colonial units the Somaliland Camel Corps had British officers. In the late 1930s, the corps was given 900 British pounds to build pillboxes and reserve water tanks. After the financial crisis of 1931, the Somaliland Camel Corps numbered 14 British officers, 400 African Askaris, and 150 African Reservists.
In September 1939, the Somaliland Camel Corps had a total strength of fourteen British officers, one British non-commissioned officer, and 554 non-European other ranks. Initially, the corps was placed under the garrison commander of French Somaliland
. The Somaliland Camel Corps fought alongside units of the KAR and the Northern Rhodesian Regiment. The Somaliland Camel Corps' four companies were split among five different locations in the colony. Only "A" Company retained its camels, while the other companies had become infantry units.
Field Marshal
Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East Command
, was appalled by the under-equipped force that was supposed to defend an entire colony. In 1940, as a result of his concern, the unit was partially mechanised and further defences were built. However, before the upgrades could be completed, the funds dried up.
, the Somaliland Camel Corps only had a total of one thousand, four hundred and seventy-five men to defend British Somaliland. This number included a battalion of the Northern Rhodesia
n Regiment. Reinforcements were eventually sent in a vain hope to stop the Italian invasion.
During the Italian invasion of British Somaliland
, the Somaliland Camel Corps skirmished and screened the attacking force along the border before pulling back to more defensible positions. At Observation Hill, the corps made a formidable stand. One of its officers, Captain Eric Charles Twelves Wilson
of the East Surreys, received a Victoria Cross
(VC) for his use of a machine gun during the defence. Despite wounds, malaria
, and having several guns destroyed from under him, he stayed at his post. Wilson was the only VC recipient during the Italian invasion of British Somaliland. Only six other VCs were awarded for operations in East Africa. Wilson was later found alive in an Italian prisoner of war camp.
However, despite a spirited defence, the British were over-matched and withdrew from Berbera
on 17 August 1940. With the final withdrawal, most of the Somali troops of the Somaliland Camel Corps were disbanded.
On 16 March 1941, less than one year from the date of withdrawal, the British returned to the colony. Soon afterwards the Somaliland Camel Corps was re-founded. By 18 April, the unit was at about 80% of its former strength. The Camel Corps spent the following months rounding up stray Italians and policing against local bandits.
In 1942, the Somaliland Camel Corps became a mechanized regiment.
On 13 March 1943, six bombers of 621 Squadron
, Royal Air Force
, attacked and damaged the German submarine U-852
, which was under the command of Lieutenant-Captain (Kapitänleutnant) Heinz-Wilhelm Eck
. He and 52 members of the crew came ashore, where members of the corps interned them.
For some time there were plans to send the corps to Burma. However, the British disbanded the Somaliland Camel Corps in 1943 after several mutinies had taken place.
, but included a knitted woollen pullover and drill patches on the shoulders. Shorts were worn with woollen socks on puttees and "chaplis", boots or bare feet. Equipment consisted of a leather ammunition bandolier
and a leather waist belt. The officers wore pith helmets and khaki drill uniforms. Other ranks wore a "kullah" with "puggree" which ended in a long tail which hung down the back. A "chaplis" is typically a colourful sandal. A "kullah" is a type of cap. A "puggree" is typically a strip of cloth wound around the upper portion of a hat or helmet, particularly a pith helmet, and falling down behind to act as a shade for the back of the neck.
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
based in British Somaliland
British Somaliland
British Somaliland was a British protectorate in the northern part of present-day Somalia. For much of its existence, British Somaliland was bordered by French Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Italian Somaliland. From 1940 to 1941, it was occupied by the Italians and was part of Italian East Africa...
from the early 20th century until the 1960s
1960s
The 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...
.
Camel
Camel
A camel is an even-toed ungulate within the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits known as humps on its back. There are two species of camels: the dromedary or Arabian camel has a single hump, and the bactrian has two humps. Dromedaries are native to the dry desert areas of West Asia,...
s are a necessity in East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
, being as important as ponies are in Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
. In Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
's drought stricken land, the camel was one of the only animals worth the effort associated with domestication.
Beginnings and the "Mad Mullah"
In 1884, the British established a protectorateProtectorate
In history, the term protectorate has two different meanings. In its earliest inception, which has been adopted by modern international law, it is an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity...
in northern Somalia. They immediately recognized the affinity between the Somali people and camels. The "Somaliland Camel Constabulary" was an early attempt to harness this natural affinity militarily. By 1899, the "Mad Mullah" (Mohammed Abdullah Hassan
Mohammed Abdullah Hassan
Sayyīd Muhammad `Abd Allāh al-Hasan was a Somali religious and patriotic leader...
) period of Somali history had started. The period was to last until 1920.
Somaliland Campaign
On 9 August 1913, the "Somaliland Camel Constabulary" suffered a serious defeat at the Battle of Dul MadobaDul Madoba
Dul Madoba is a hill ridge southeast of Burao in northwestern Somalia. It is also the location of a famous battle.-Battle:The battle took place on 9 August 1913...
at the hands of the "Mad Mullah." Hassan roamed British Somaliland and had already evaded several attempts to capture him. At Dul Madoba, 57 members of the 110-man unit were killed or wounded. The dead included the British commander, Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Richard Corfield
Richard Corfield
Richard Conyngham Corfield was a British colonial police officer who saw service in South Africa, Nigeria, and Somalia in the early 20th century.-Early life:...
.
On 12 March 1914, the British set out to create what was to become the "Somaliland Camel Corps" the better to maintain order in northern Somaliland
Sultanate of Mohamoud Ali Shire
The Warsangali Sultanate or Gerad Dynasty was a Somali imperial ruling house centered in northeastern and in some parts of southeastern Somalia...
. The corps served gallantly against the "Mad Mullah", but after a total of four major expeditions to capture him Hassan remained on the loose. During the same period, the corps set an impressive standard by covering one-hundred-and-fifty miles in seventy-two hours. The camel corps grew to include some 700 mounted riders.
In November 1919, the British launched the fifth and final expedition
1920 conflict between British forces and Somaliland dervishes
The 1920 conflict between British forces and the Dervish State was the fifth and final British expedition against the Dervish forces of Mohammed Abdullah Hassan , the Somali religious leader. The majority of this conflict took place during January 1920. However, the British began preparations to...
. In 1920, a combined land and air offensive—which included the Somaliland Camel Corps, the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
's Z Force, Somaliland Police, elements from the 2nd (Nyasaland) Battalion and 6th (Somaliland) Battalion of the King's African Rifles
King's African Rifles
The King's African Rifles was a multi-battalion British colonial regiment raised from the various British possessions in East Africa from 1902 until independence in the 1960s. It performed both military and internal security functions within the East African colonies as well as external service as...
(KAR), and an Indian battalion—finally defeated Hassan's army. Despite this defeat many Somalis continued to hail Hassan as a warrior hero and he remains the source of pride among modern Somali nationalists.
During the period between World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Somaliland Camel Corps was re-configured the better to defend the protectorate in the event of a future war. In 1930, Colonel Arthur Reginald Chater
Arthur Reginald Chater
Major-General Arthur Reginald Chater CB, CVO, DSO, OBE, Croix de Guerre was an officer in the Royal Marines during World War I, the interwar years, and World War II....
of the Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
was placed in command of a slightly smaller corps of five-hundred troopers. Like many other colonial units the Somaliland Camel Corps had British officers. In the late 1930s, the corps was given 900 British pounds to build pillboxes and reserve water tanks. After the financial crisis of 1931, the Somaliland Camel Corps numbered 14 British officers, 400 African Askaris, and 150 African Reservists.
In September 1939, the Somaliland Camel Corps had a total strength of fourteen British officers, one British non-commissioned officer, and 554 non-European other ranks. Initially, the corps was placed under the garrison commander of French Somaliland
French Somaliland
French Somaliland was a French colony in the Horn of Africa. Established after the French signed various treaties between 1883 and 1887 with the then ruling Somali Sultans, the colony lasted from 1896 until 1946, when it became an overseas territory of France....
. The Somaliland Camel Corps fought alongside units of the KAR and the Northern Rhodesian Regiment. The Somaliland Camel Corps' four companies were split among five different locations in the colony. Only "A" Company retained its camels, while the other companies had become infantry units.
Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East Command
Middle East Command
The Middle East Command was a British Army Command established prior to the Second World War in Egypt. Its primary role was to command British land forces and co-ordinate with the relevant naval and air commands to defend British interests in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean region.The...
, was appalled by the under-equipped force that was supposed to defend an entire colony. In 1940, as a result of his concern, the unit was partially mechanised and further defences were built. However, before the upgrades could be completed, the funds dried up.
World War II
At the beginning of the East African CampaignEast African Campaign (World War II)
The East African Campaign was a series of battles fought in East Africa during World War II by the British Empire, the British Commonwealth of Nations and several allies against the forces of Italy from June 1940 to November 1941....
, the Somaliland Camel Corps only had a total of one thousand, four hundred and seventy-five men to defend British Somaliland. This number included a battalion of the Northern Rhodesia
Northern Rhodesia
Northern Rhodesia was a territory in south central Africa, formed in 1911. It became independent in 1964 as Zambia.It was initially administered under charter by the British South Africa Company and formed by it in 1911 by amalgamating North-Western Rhodesia and North-Eastern Rhodesia...
n Regiment. Reinforcements were eventually sent in a vain hope to stop the Italian invasion.
During the Italian invasion of British Somaliland
Italian conquest of British Somaliland
The Italian conquest of British Somaliland was a military campaign in the Horn of Africa, which took place in August 1940 between forces of Italy and those of Great Britain and its Commonwealth...
, the Somaliland Camel Corps skirmished and screened the attacking force along the border before pulling back to more defensible positions. At Observation Hill, the corps made a formidable stand. One of its officers, Captain Eric Charles Twelves Wilson
Eric Charles Twelves Wilson
Lieutenant Colonel Eric Charles Twelves Wilson VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Early life:Wilson was born at Sandown, Isle of Wight, and was...
of the East Surreys, received a Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(VC) for his use of a machine gun during the defence. Despite wounds, malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
, and having several guns destroyed from under him, he stayed at his post. Wilson was the only VC recipient during the Italian invasion of British Somaliland. Only six other VCs were awarded for operations in East Africa. Wilson was later found alive in an Italian prisoner of war camp.
However, despite a spirited defence, the British were over-matched and withdrew from Berbera
Berbera
Berbera is a city and seat of Berbera District in Somaliland, a self-proclaimed Independent Republic with de facto control over its own territory, which is recognized by the international community and the Somali Government as a part of Somalia...
on 17 August 1940. With the final withdrawal, most of the Somali troops of the Somaliland Camel Corps were disbanded.
On 16 March 1941, less than one year from the date of withdrawal, the British returned to the colony. Soon afterwards the Somaliland Camel Corps was re-founded. By 18 April, the unit was at about 80% of its former strength. The Camel Corps spent the following months rounding up stray Italians and policing against local bandits.
In 1942, the Somaliland Camel Corps became a mechanized regiment.
On 13 March 1943, six bombers of 621 Squadron
No. LXI Squadron RAF
No. 61 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. It was first formed as a fighter squadron of the British Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. It was reformed in 1937 as a bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force and served in the Second World War and after until disbanded in...
, Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, attacked and damaged the German submarine U-852
Unterseeboot 852
German submarine U-852 was a German Type IXD2 U-boat built during World War II. She became notorious for having the only German Navy U-boat crew to be accused, prosecuted and convicted during the Nuremberg Trials of war crimes....
, which was under the command of Lieutenant-Captain (Kapitänleutnant) Heinz-Wilhelm Eck
Heinz-Wilhelm Eck
Heinz-Wilhelm Eck was a German U-Boat commander of the Second World War, who was tried, convicted, condemned and executed postwar for ordering his crew to shoot the survivors of a Greek merchantman sunk by .-Service history:...
. He and 52 members of the crew came ashore, where members of the corps interned them.
For some time there were plans to send the corps to Burma. However, the British disbanded the Somaliland Camel Corps in 1943 after several mutinies had taken place.
Organization
In 1939, on the brink of war, the Somaliland Camel Corps was organized as follows:- Headquarters and Headquarters Company, The Somaliland Camel Corps: Laferug
- 'A' (Camel) Company: Hargeisa
- 'B' (Nyasa Infantry) Company: Tug Argen
- 'C' Company: Burao
- 'D' Company: Tug Argen (Less 2 Platoons at Sheik)
Uniform
The troopers of the Somaliland Camel Corps had a distinctive dress which was based on the standard British Army khaki drillKhaki drill
Khaki drill or KD was the term for a type of fabric and the British military uniforms made from them. Khaki Drill was worn as a combat uniform from 1900 to 1949 but is a variant, still referred to a Khaki Drill or KD's is worn by the UK Armed Forces, in non combatatant warm weather countries where...
, but included a knitted woollen pullover and drill patches on the shoulders. Shorts were worn with woollen socks on puttees and "chaplis", boots or bare feet. Equipment consisted of a leather ammunition bandolier
Bandolier
A bandolier or a bandoleer is a pocketed belt for holding ammunition. It was usually slung over the chest. In its original form, it was common issue to soldiers from the 16th to 18th centuries. This was very useful for quickly reloading a musket....
and a leather waist belt. The officers wore pith helmets and khaki drill uniforms. Other ranks wore a "kullah" with "puggree" which ended in a long tail which hung down the back. A "chaplis" is typically a colourful sandal. A "kullah" is a type of cap. A "puggree" is typically a strip of cloth wound around the upper portion of a hat or helmet, particularly a pith helmet, and falling down behind to act as a shade for the back of the neck.
See also
- Arthur Reginald ChaterArthur Reginald ChaterMajor-General Arthur Reginald Chater CB, CVO, DSO, OBE, Croix de Guerre was an officer in the Royal Marines during World War I, the interwar years, and World War II....
- Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron IsmayHastings Ismay, 1st Baron IsmayGeneral Hastings Lionel "Pug" Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay, KG, GCB, CH, DSO, PC was a British Indian Army officer and diplomat, remembered primarily for his role as Winston Churchill's chief military assistant during the Second World War and his service as the first Secretary General of NATO from 1952...
- Adrian Carton de WiartAdrian Carton de WiartLieutenant-General Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart VC, KBE, CB, CMG, DSO , was a British officer of Belgian and Irish descent...
- Henry Anthony Camillo HowardHenry Anthony Camillo HowardHenry Anthony Camillo Howard was a British journalist, military officer, and colonial leader in the Caribbean.- Early life and family :...
- Eric Charles Twelves WilsonEric Charles Twelves WilsonLieutenant Colonel Eric Charles Twelves Wilson VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Early life:Wilson was born at Sandown, Isle of Wight, and was...
- 1920 conflict between British forces and Somaliland dervishes1920 conflict between British forces and Somaliland dervishesThe 1920 conflict between British forces and the Dervish State was the fifth and final British expedition against the Dervish forces of Mohammed Abdullah Hassan , the Somali religious leader. The majority of this conflict took place during January 1920. However, the British began preparations to...
- Somaliland ScoutsSomaliland ScoutsThe Somaliland Scouts was a Brigade in the British Army, formed after the liberation of British Somaliland from Italy in December 1941 and the dissolution of the Somaliland Camel Corps, formerly tasked with the defense of the protectorate....
- Bikaner Camel CorpsBikaner Camel CorpsThe Bikaner Camel Corps was a unit of Imperial Service Troops from India that fought for the allies in World War I and World War II.The Corps was founded by Maharaja Ganga Singh of the Indian state of Bikaner, as the Ganga Risala after the British government of India accepted his offer to raise a...
- Sudan Defence ForceSudan Defence ForceThe Sudan Defence Force was a Sudanese military unit formed in 1925, as its name indicates, to maintain the borders of the Sudan under the British administration...
- King's African RiflesKing's African RiflesThe King's African Rifles was a multi-battalion British colonial regiment raised from the various British possessions in East Africa from 1902 until independence in the 1960s. It performed both military and internal security functions within the East African colonies as well as external service as...
- Camel cavalryCamel cavalryCamel cavalry, or camelry, is a generic designation for armed forces using camels as a means of transportation. Sometimes warriors or soldiers of this type also fought from camel-back with spears, bows or rifles....