The Battle of El Teb fought on the 29th February 1884, was the first battle between the British and the Sudanese Mahdists, that would culminate in the Battle of Omdurman 14 years later.
A British Army led by General Gerald Graham VC and consisting of 4,000 men battled 15,000 Sudanese warriors under the Mahdi’s lieutenant, Osman Digna in eastern Sudan, close to the Red Sea coast.
The British force was drawn from:
1st Black Watch;
3rd King’s Royal Rifle Corps;
1st Gordon Highlanders;
2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers;
1st York & Lancaster Regiment;
Royal Marine Light Infantry,
10th Hussars
19th Hussars
Royal Artillery.
There was also an attachment from the Royal Engineers and a party from the Naval Brigade.
2 Victoria Crosses were awarded for gallantry during this battle, which resulted in a British victory.
But Osman Digna would live to fight another day...in fact he would cross swords with General Graham very soon indeed at the Battle of Tamai.
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