Battle of Abu Klea

January 17, 1885 · Bayuda Desert Theater

January 17, 1885

The Desert Column of the Gordon relief expedition, cutting across the Bayuda to reach Khartoum quickly, was attacked at the Abu Klea wells. In the fierce fight the British square was briefly penetrated when a machine gun jammed, and there was desperate hand-to-hand fighting before the Mahdists were beaten off.

• ●Battle of Abu Klea