DISASTER TO A BRITISH FORCE
A SQUARE OVERWHELMED. DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT. LONDON, April 23. News has been received that a disaster lias befallen a British native force in Somaliland. hen officers and two hundred men were killed. The ammunition became exhausted, and tho troops formed square, and used the bayonet, but were overwhelmed, only thirty-seven escaping. Two Maxim guns were lost. Later details show that on the morning of the 17th inst, believing a small reconnoitring force under Captain_H. E. Olivey, of the Central African Regiment, to be in difficulties, Colonel C'obfoe sent Captain A. W. V. Plunkett, with a hundred and sixty men of the second battalion of African Rifles and forty-eight Siklis, with two Maxim guns, to extricate Captain Olivey. Upon joining the latter, Captain Plunfcott advanced into open country seven miles west of Gumbnirra, where a very strong force of the Mullah’s cavalry afrid infantry attacked him at close quarters. Captain Plunkett was amongst those killedColonel Cobbe has informed BrigadierGeneral Manning (who is in charge of tho forces in Somaliland) that he will bo unable to withdraw. Brigadier-General Manning is marchring to Colonel Cobbe’s relief.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Mail, Issue 1626, 29 April 1903, Page 56
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189DISASTER TO A BRITISH FORCE New Zealand Mail, Issue 1626, 29 April 1903, Page 56
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