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ORDER OF BATTLE // August 5, 1882

Battle of Kafr-el-Dawwar

Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.

Forces engaged

2 sides catalogued · combined 4,700 estimated

  • United Kingdom

    2,600

    Medium-confidence figure

  • Egypt

    2,100

    Medium-confidence figure

Battle context

The engagement at Kafr El Dawwar pitted British forces under Sir Archibald Alison against Egyptian forces commanded by Ahmed 'Urabi and Mahmoud Fehmy. Although the result of the fighting itself is not recorded, its operational consequence was decisive: the British abandoned any prospect of advancing on Cairo from the north. Command shifted its base of operations to Ismailia instead, reorienting the entire British campaign axis. Egypt suffered approximately 200 casualties in the encounter. The battle thus marks the point at which the British northern axis of advance was foreclosed, directly shaping the subsequent course of the Anglo-Egyptian War.

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Sources (11)

Last verified June 2026
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