Fighting with Somalis.

Manawatu Herald, 23 October 1902, Page 2

Fighting with Somalis.

It is officially announced that a flying column, under Colonel Swayne encountered the Somalis in thick bush at Erego, a day’s march from Mudig, They twice repelled attacks by the “ Mad Mullah ” on the 6th, inflicting heavy losses and capturing a hundred rifles.

Colonel Swayne collected his transport, and formed a zareba. He reconnoitred during the afternoon, and after sharp fighting, drove the enemy off. Colonel Phillips, Captain Angus and fifty men were killed, and a hundred were wounded. The Second African Rifles had five wounded. Severe losses wore sustained, in transport and in riding camels.

The Somali levies were considerably shaken. The “Mad Mullah” was reinforced from all sides.

Colonel Swayne, being hampered by transporting the wounded, and by the want of water, is now returning to Bobataflih. He asks that the remainder of the Second African Rifles and six hundred farther reliable troops should be despatched to Berbera, on the Gulf of Aden. COLONEL SWA YNE’S EXPEDITION. A desert 200 miles in extent separates Bohoteleh, one of the British posts, from Berbera, on the Gulf of Aden.

It ia explained that arms and amunition intended for the Mullah, on their way from the sea coast, were previously captured by Colonel S force, “ The Times ” recommends the v landing of Indian troops at Berbera. The check of the advance received is, it observes, a serious one, but Colonel Swayne will doubtless hold his present position. Karl Inger, an American officer, is advising the Mullah. REINFORCEMENTS.

The Mullah engaged by Colonel Swayne is not the “ mad Mullah,” who is elsewhere.

The newspapers criticise the Foreign Office for inadequately supporting Colonel Swayne and failing to send him sufficient troops to stiffen the raw Somali levies j also for declining to establish a permanent military post at Borao. Fears are expressed that passive tribes will now join the Mullah in an attempt to block the ultimate line of Colonel Swayne’s retreat to Berbera.

Lord Cranbome, Secretary to the Foreign Office, stated in the House of Commons that Colonel Manning, the principal officer of the Protectorate had been ordered forward. The Government would send other reinforcements if they were needed. Mr Alfred Pease, M.P., who is familiar with Somaliland, says the Mullah’s force numbers between thirty and forty thousand.