Battle of Abu Kru

Overview

The Battle of Abu Kru was part of the British Sudan campaign. It was fought on 19 January 1885, two days after the Battle of Abu Klea, between the British and the Mahdists. The British force under Brigadier General Sir Herbert Stewart numbered 1,200 while a large number of Mahdists, probably around 13,000–14,000, were in pursuit. The British were moving to rescue General Gordon from Khartoum, and were cutting the Great Bend of the Nile, when they came under attack a short distance from rejoining the Nile.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Abu Kru, fought on 19 January 1885, was one of two engagements in quick succession — coming two days after Abu Klea — as a 1,200-strong British column under Brigadier General Sir Herbert Stewart pressed toward the Nile against a pursuing Mahdist force estimated at 13,000–14,000. The column's objective was the relief of General Gordon at Khartoum, and Abu Kru was fought at a critical point in that effort: the British were cutting across the Great Bend of the Nile and were attacked when they were close to rejoining the river. The engagement reflected the severe pressure the relief force operated under — heavily outnumbered and fighting successive actions while maintaining its axis of advance toward Khartoum.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (3)