Culquaber E AFR (id:#61838)

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Culquaber, Ethiopia 1941-11-21 (1 other)

Overview:

The last act of war in Eastern Africa was not a walk for the Allies. The final battle to dislodge Italians began on the 11th of November and was led by General Fowkes. A mixed group formed by Ethiopian militia and elements of the 25th East African Brigade assaulted Culquaber. They were supported by a light armoured force and air power. The Italian garrison (four battalions entrenched and shielded behind minefields and wire) halted the attack. Only Abyssinian mountain troops had some success, cutting off and destroying some pockets of resistance near Gondar. Thus General Fowkes decided to use both brigades available (the 25th and the 26th) to seize Culquaber. The 26th East African finally arrived at Culquaber nine days later being employed formerly in the first day of the battle in the siege of Gondar. The plan was to attack with the 25th from the north, the 26th from the south and with the help of numerous local Uollo warbands. These natives were happy to punish their worst rivals, the Italian “Zaptié” colonial troops. After a week of probes, heavy shelling and aerial bombardment, Fowkes ordered the final attack on the 21st of November against the “Costone dei Roccioni” (Cliff of the Crags), well-fortified and held by the Carabinieri (2nd Company) and by the Zaptié Colonial troops (1st Zaptiè Company).

Defender: Italian (Carabineri Reali, 1st BN, 2nd Co.)  

Errata (source)