Battle of Amba Alagi (1895)

The Battle of Amba Alagi was the first in a series of battles between the Italian General Baratieri and Ethiopia's Emperor Menelik during the First Italo-Ethiopian War. Amba Alagi was one of Baratieri's forward positions; it was under the command of Major Toselli with 2,000 Eritrean Askari. On 7 December 1895, the Ras Makonnen, Fitawrari Gebeyehu and Ras Mengesha Yohannes commanded an assault of Menelik's vanguard that annihilated the Italians and killed Major Toselli.

Battle of Amba Alagi
Part of the First Italo-Ethiopian War
Page from old French newspaper "Le Petit Journal" depicting Ras Makonnen at the battle of Amba Alagi
Date 7 December 1895 Location Amba Alagi, Ethiopia Result Ethiopian victory
Belligerents
Italy	Ethiopia
Commanders and leaders
Pietro Toselli †	Ras Makonnen Fitawrari Gebeyehu Mangesha Yohannes
Strength
2,350	30,000
Casualties and losses
1,539 killed 303 wounded	276 killed[1] 349 wounded[2]

The Ethiopians attacked a force of 350 Eritrean irregulars on the left flank, who collapsed under the Ethiopian assault, causing Toselli to send two companies of Italian infantry who halted the Ethiopian advance.^[3] Just as Toselli was rejoicing in his apparent victory, the main Ethiopian assault came down on his right flank, causing Toselli to order retreat. The Emperor's best general, Ras Makonnen, had occupied the road leading back to Eritrea, and launched a surprise attack, which routed the Italians.^[3] The Ethiopians had completely devastated the Italians, who suffered 19 Italian officers (including Maj Toselli), 20 Italian other ranks, and 1,500 ascari killed, and 3 officers and 300 ascari wounded.^[4]

However, the defeat at Amba Alagi did have a silver lining for Baratieri. Prime Minister Crispi's shocked cabinet agreed to advance another 20 million lire (£80,000) to ensure that a disaster could be stopped.^[5] This money allowed for a larger Italian disaster at the Battle of Adwa, halting Italian plans to annex Ethiopia.

References

1. Angelo Del Boca, Gli italiani in Africa Orientale, vol. 1, nota a pag. 597
2. Angelo Del Boca, Gli italiani in Africa Orientale, vol. 1, nota a pag. 597
3. Perry, James (2005). Arrogant Armies. Castle Books. p. 207.
4. Mclachlan, Sean (20 September 2011). Armies of the Adowa Campaign 1896. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-84908-457-4.
5. Thomas Pakenham, The Scramble for Africa, (London: Abacus, 1992) p. 477

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