Mahdist War: British Triumphant at Omdurman

September 2, 1898 - British forces win the Battle of Omdurman. In early 1898, British-led forces commanded by Major General Horatio Kitchener advanced south from Egypt into Sudan. Formerly administered by Egypt, Anglo-Egyptian control of the country had been broken in 1885, following the capture of Khartoum by Mahdi Muhammad Ahmad. Moving slowly, Kitchener constructed a string of fortified camps as he moved up the Nile. Making camp at Egeiga, near the Mahdist capital of Omdurman, Kitchener prepared his men for battle by forming an arc around the village. On the morning of September 2, Mahdist forces, led by Abdullah al-Taashi, attacked the British position. Armed with spears and antique firearms, they proved no match for modern European weapons. Cutting down the attackers, Kitchener ordered an advance towards Omdurman. En route, the 21st Lancers fought a bitter battle against 2,500 of the enemy. As the British advanced, a second Mahdist attack materialized. Fighting against overwhelming numbers, Colonel Hector MacDonald's brigade held the enemy in check until Kitchener could arrive with reinforcements. Badly defeated and having sustained 27,700 killed, wounded, and captured, Abdullah fled the field, allowing the British to take Omdurman and Khartoum. British losses numbered a mere 47 killed and 340 wounded.