CAMEL CORPS CUT UP.

Patea Mail, Volume XXXVIII, 1 December 1913, Page 1

CAMEL CORPS CUT UP.

THE SOMALILAND DISASTER. HOW IT HAPPENED, , DEAD COMMANDANT BLAMED. . London, October 4. ■ The dramatic statement that the disaster to the Camel Corps in Somaliland on 9th August was due entirely to disregard of orders by Mr. Corfield, the commandant, is made in the pages of the Blue Book issued this week. The story is unfolded in a despatch by Mr. G. a;. Archer, Acting Commissioner at Bcrbera, who says: — “I feel it my duty to say that the commandant of the Camel Corps was gravely indiscreet in his action in following and engaging dervishes in face of military advice given by Summers.” And in Summer’s own report of the fight he tells how Mr. Corfield disregarded his advice not to engage the dervishes, and even ignored his suggestion to form a square. Both Mr. Archer and Captain Summers pay high tributes to the commandant’s bravery. “A rash act has involved the Government of the Protectorate in a severe set-back,” writes Mr. Archer in one despatch, "and in the circumstances in a politically disastrous withdrawal from Buroa. For this Mr. Corfield, who had previously done such excellent work, has paid the penalty with his life. It can only be said that he allowed his attribute of great personal bravery and the complete confidence he had in the men under his command to outweigh his better judgment. The action of Dul Madoba should never have been fought.” Captain Summers says that it is with the utmost regret that he has had in his report to criticise Mr. Corfield’s actions, and continues: “But I take this opportunity of adding that he faced ultimate events with characteristic courage, and lost his life in the thickest of the fight, directing operations with the utmost coolness and bravery.” . After a discussion with Mr. Corfield, Mr. Archer ordered a strong reconnaissance in the direction of Ber, and instructed Captain Summers, who had accompanied him from Berbera, to go with the force with a view to advising Mr. Archer later on the military situation. The Camel Constabulary—ll 6 rank and file, with Mr. Corfield as commandant, Mr. (Dunn as assistant commandant, and Captain Summers attached —moved out of Burao at 3 p.m. on August Bth, and that evening arrived within four miles of Idoweina, where the dervishes fires Were seen to be illuminating the sky. Scouts sent forward reported that the enemy were assembled in force, and estimated their numbers at 200 Q with ISO horse.

- "Had the commandant,” says Mr- 1 Archer, "at this juncture fallen back and reported to me on the situation a valuable service would have been rendered, 'even though some had been incurred. . . . Contrary to orders, however, the commandant decided to' engage the dervishes and to place his force in such a position as to intercept on the morrow their line of retreat with their stock into the Ain. I need scarcely comment on the hazardous nature of such an undertaking with such a small force at his disposal. iFIGHT IN THE BUSH. Mr. Corfield xvas, however, clearly determined to operate against the dervishes. At 4.30 a.m. on the 9th August the Camel Corps stood to arms. Scouts reported that the dervishes were already moving directly on Kirrit. At the break of dawn the Camel Constabulary moved off, about 300 Dolbahanta tribesmen with them. At C. 45 the Camel Constabulary xvas halted and formed into skirmishing line with the friendly tribesmen on the left. The bush was very dense and view could scarcely be obtained beyond 100 yards. The Maxim gun was mounted in the centre of the line- 'Mr. Corfield took up his position near it. * Captain Summers thinks Mr. Corfield meant to move further on to a more open plain, but he received information that the dervishes xvcrc advancing toxvards him. “I volunteered the advice that he should form his force into a square, as, oxving to the numbers of the dervishes, the flanks of his line xvould doubtless be enveloped and he xvould probably also be attacked in the rear. 'He did not, however, appear to think this necessary, and observed that by doing so the volume of his lire xvould be greatly diminished. The Camel Constabulary were thus committed to an action in an irregular skirmishing line in dense bush, xvithout reserve or flank protection.” The friendly tribesmen fled at the first shot. The dervishes advanced in a series of determined onrushes, and enveloped the right flank. The Maxim gun was soon put out of action by rifle fire. (Mr. Corfield xvas shot and died in.stantly at about 7.15 a.m. The rank and file shoxved regrettable want of steadiness. On the first retirement of the der.verishes they rose to pursue them, and it was only xvith difficulty that [Mr. Dunn got them back to the main body. About 10 a.m., Mr. Dunn and myself and our fexv remaining men found ourselves surrounded on all sides by derx’ishes, but we had contrived to construct a small zareeba of dead ponies and camels. At noon the dervishes, xvho had run out of ammunition, retreated.”

Captain Summers was wounded, and all the responsibility in the final stages of the action, he says, devolved on Mr. Dunn, who also made all arrangements for removing the wounded and retreating on Buroa.

About eighteen miles from Burao the remains of the column fell in with Mr. Archer with water and supplies. The casualties amounted to Mr. Corfield and 32 rank and file killed, Captain Summers and 15 men wounded. Mr. Dunn says that the rushes of the dervishes brought them right into the zareeba, one man getting so near as to lay his hands on the disabled Maxim gun, while Captain Summers shot another right inside the lines. “Twice I anticipated that nothing could save the situation, but on both occasions the dervishes retired at the critical moment. Had they brought up their spearmen nothing could have saved us." , PAYING THE PENALTY.

“It is evident,” says the Colonial Secretary, in a dispatch to the Acting Commissioner, “that the whole responsibility for this ill-advised action must rest with the late Mr. Corfield. He has paid the penalty with his life, and I have no desire to dwell on this aspect of the matter. But I am compelled, if only in justice to the other officers concerned, to record my opinion that the disaster was due to his complete disregard of the instructions issued by His Majesty’s Government, by Mr. Byatt (Commissioner for Somaliland), and by yourself.” Mr, Archer’s appointment to be Companion of the order of St. Michael and St. George is announced.