Battle of Kafr-el-Dawwar

Battle of Kafr El Dawwar

The Armed Train at Alexandria

Date	5 August 1882
Location	Coordinates: 31°07′52″N 30°07′48″E / 31.13111°N 30.13000°E / 31.13111; 30.13000 Near Alexandria, Egypt
Result	Egyptian victory

Belligerents

United Kingdom

Egypt

Commanders and leaders

Sir Archibald Alison

Ahmed ‘Urabi

Mahmoud Fehmy

Strength

2,600 men

2,100 men

Casualties and losses

4 Killed, 27 Wounded

79 Killed, many wounded, 15 Captured

The Battle of Kafr El Dawwar was a conflict during the Anglo-Egyptian War near Kafr El Dawwar, Egypt. The battle took place between an Egyptian army, headed by Ahmed ‘Urabi, and British forces headed by Sir Archibald Alison. As a result, the British abandoned any hope they may have had of reaching Cairo from the north, and shifted their base of operations to Ismailia instead.

After the bombardment of Alexandria on 11 July, the city was occupied by a mixed force of sailors and marines. The Egyptians withdrew to Kafr El Dawwar, where they began the construction of an entrenched camp which would block the route to Cairo. ‘Urabi demanded that one-sixth of the male population of every province should be sent to Kafr El Dawwar. All old soldiers of every description were called upon to serve again, and horses and provisions were everywhere requisitioned for the army.

On 17 July, Sir Archibald Alison landed in Alexandria with the leading elements of the British expeditionary force: the South Staffordshire Regiment and a battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps. Combined with a battalion of Royal Marine Light Infantry and a substantial number of sailors from ships in the harbour, Alison's force numbered 3,755 men, seven 9-pounder and two 7-pounder guns, six Gatlings and four rocket tubes. He sent patrols in all directions to ascertain the strength and location of the Egyptians, but remained based within the city.

Alison was reinforced on 24 July by the arrival of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, a wing of the Royal Sussex Regiment and a battery of artillery — a total of 1,108 men. He immediately advanced to occupy Ramleh where he established a fortified base.

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Wikipedia