THE SOMALILAND EXPEDITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12649, 29 April 1903, Page 4

THE SOMALILAND EXPEDITION.

The news of the virtual annihilation of n British forcc in the course of the Somaliland operations by a dervish horde of overwhelming dimensions lias been received with profound regret, inasmuch as it involved the loss of the lives of a considerable number of brave men. But the feelings of sorrow which the report of the mishap and of the extent of the British casualties necessarily excited will be mingled with a sense of pride inspired by the superb gallantry aiul tho dauntless courage of the relatively insignificant body of men upon whom the followers of the Mad Mullah fell. Tho latter ?re, according to one estimate, said to have numbered 10,000 cavalry and infantry. The British force under Captain Plunkett and Captain Olivey, both of whom are unfortunately included in the list of killed, totalled less than 250 officers and men with two guns. Numerically the odds in favour of the dervishes were 40 to 1. With their guns the British wrought terrible execution so long as their ammunition lasted. The enemy, with unsurpassed fanatical bravery, it is asserted, charged upon the little band, and, though it is complained that the service bullet proved inadequate to stop the mad onslaught, the fact that 2000 of the Mullah's followers are believed to have sacrificed, their lives is evidence of the determination and gallantly with which the British resisted the attack tliat was made upon them. When the ammunition became exhausted the position of the small British force became absolutely desperate; but, faithful to the splendid traditions of the army, they had recourse to their bayonets, and, charging, made a supreme effort to cut their way through—an effort in whioh all of their officers who had till then survived laid down their lives. An incident such as this, though it was in one sense disastrous, was in another sense more glorious than a victory. In the earlier stages of the operations in Somaliland it was found by Colonel Swayne that in close fighting the native levies whom he had under his command were not to be trusted. For that reason they were disbanded, and new Somali soldiers were enrolled and put under a rigorous training, while a stiffening of seasoned Indian troops was included in the expeditionary force. The change seems to have worked remarkably well. There was apparently no flinching on the part, of the men under Captains Pluur kett and Oliveyj and the engagement furnished additional proof to that provided in other Airican campaigns of Hie genius of the British officer in inculcating in native soldiers the highest qualities of courage and resolution. A somewhat similar experience to that which these officers had of the gallantry of the men under them was apparently realised by Colonel Gondii in his fight five days later at Danop, when a strong force of dervishes was encountered by Jiim,and all the members of,the British column showed conspicuous bravely. The results of these engagements, though botli of them may he said to have been unfavourable to the British, cannot have any serious effect in enhancing the prestige of the Mullah, whose followers have suffered such terrible losses that it will hot be surprising if they should be oppressed by a feeling of dejection, if not also by a disinclination to continue the struggle,