Somaliland.

Manawatu Herald, 30 April 1903, Page 2

Somaliland.

Further details with regard to the cutting up of Captain Plunkett’s force in Somaliland show that the captain’s guide, when- sixteen miles from Ustrak, learned that Colonel Cobbe’a column had not reached water at Wardair. Captain Plunkett determined to retire when he located the enemy in great strength fifty miles from Galdi Wells, but an emgagement was forced. The enemy poured in a heavy rifle fire While horsemen and spearmen charged on all sides Captains Plunkett aad Olivey finally charged with fixed bayonets. Their little force fought most gallantly until all the officers were killed. _ Most of the survivors were wounded. The -enemy’s loss vvas enormous. On Friday Colonel Cobbe’s column was in difficulties. General Manning sent Major Kenna ahead with a hundred mounted infantry. The expedition was successful in relieving Colonel Cobbe at noon on the 19th, and the united forces rejoined General Manning subsequently returned to Galadi. The Mullah has retired to Wardair, where it is believed he has two thousand well-armed mounted men and eighty thousand spearmen. Later unofficial reports state that General Manning engaged the Mullah and killed two thousand of his followers. The British loss is not stated. Two hundred men of the Kaffrarian Rifles, with two Maxims patties, are offering for service in Somaliland. Simla opinion favors further

Indian troops being sent to East Africa. A warship at Aden has been ordered to hold itself in readiness to land a brigade at Berbera, ' bravery of the dervishes. The survivors of Captain Plunkett’s force reports that the dervishes displayed unsurpassed fanatical bravery. Heaps of their dead were piled in front of the Maxims At least two v thousand of the enemy Were killed. The disinclination of the enemy to interfere with Colonel Cobbe’s extrication shows that they- suffered terrible losses. . All- the survivors of the Yaos Contingent were wounded excepting five. Many complaints are made that the service bullet proved insufficient to stop the fanatical rush of the enemy. The Mullah is reported to have I offered a 'reward of a thousand camels for the capture of General ; Manning. , 1 FIERCE FIGHTItfG REPORTED. 1 Colonel Gough’s column on the ' 21st irtst. killed eighteen of the ■ enemy at Danop. On the 23rd he marched, with his 1 men and officers, 181 camelry and . the Somali Mounted Infantry, in ! the direction of Dartoleh. • Prisoners report 'that • w.hile • Colonel Coiigh ’was', hampered, by ’ thick bush and long grass, the Mullah,- with; three hundred riflemen and five hundred spearmen, made determined attempts tb break Colonel Gough’s square. I I'lte Mallah’s '.forces charged to , within'twenty ytrftls, only recoiling j before the fire and repeated bayonet charges, t After four hours* fighting am--3 munition becoming scarce, Colonel f Gough commenced to slowly retire, . carrying his dead and wounded with him, - All the' member's of tile British force showed great gallantly. Colonel Gough is retiring to 5 Bohotle.