The plan for attacking Gondar

The plan for attacking Gondar was for the 25th East African Brigade to assault the south while the 26th East African Brigade assaulted from the east. The guerilla bands would attack from between them. On the north side, the 1/Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, "some divisional troops, and the 53rd East African Battery" would hold the Wolchefit road. The 26th East African Brigade would be supported by "the 22nd Mountain Battery, R.A. and 54th Nyasaland Field Battery". The 25th East African Brigade was supported by the "18th Mountain Battery, R.A., 51st Gold Coast Medium Battery, the Kenya Armoured Car Regiment, and the South African Light Armoured Detachement". This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

The brigades for the attack on Gondar

Vol.II of the Official History gives the composition of the two brigades that took part in the capture of Gondar in November 1941:

25th East African Brigade

2/3rd King's African Rifles
2/4th King's African Rifles
3/4th King's African Rifles
South African Light Armoured Detachment (3 light tanks, 3 Bren Carriers)
Kenya Armoured Car Regiment (less one squadron)
51st (Gold Coast) Medium Battery
18th (Indian) Mountain Battery, RA
9th South African Field Company
A Company 1/3rd King's African Rifles (Machine Gun)
6th (Uganda) Field Ambulance
25th East African Infantry Brigade Group Company
58th Reserve Motor Transport Company

26th East African Brigade

2/2nd King's African Rifles
4/4th King's African Rifles
1/6th King's African Rifles
22nd (Indian) Mountain Battery, RA
54th East African Field Company
one company of the 1/3rd King's African Rifles (Machine Gun)
7th (Northern Rhodesian) Field Ambulance
26th East African Infantry Brigade Group Company
Camforce (Ethiopian guerillas)
54th Nyasaland Field Battery "in support"

November 1941 in East Africa: taking Kulkaber

Columns were moving in the direction of Gondar in mid-November 1941. One was the 2nd Ethiopian Battalion, which was moving north west of Lake Tana. They were near Gorgora to the south-southwest of Gondar by 13 November. Another was the Sudan Column. They attacked Chilga to the southwest of Gondar on 20 November. They at least had "pinned down the garrison of four battalions". The next step was to take Kulkaber. The place was well defended behind strong defences. Brigadier James attacked on 21 November, after the place was hit hard byfrom the air with 44 sorties dropping 9 tons of bombs the previous day. The British lost 99 men and the guerillas 107 men. They took "1,648 Italian and 775 native troops."

A fresh attempt to break through at Kulkaber

General Fowkes decided that Kulkaber must be taken so that South Force could move forward to support the attack at Gondar that had been planned for 17 November 1941. He sent the 25th East African Brigade to move towards Kulkaber from the the north side, after the engineers had found a rough road that ran to Dancaz. The road proved to have almost ceased to exist, part way there, and it had to be rebuilt, setting back the attack on Kulkaber until 21 November. While all this was happening, Gondar was being hit by air. Gondar was hit by Hartbeests and Mohawks, which dropped almost 12,000 lbs. of bombs. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

A new plan for attacking Gondar in November 1941 (UPDATED)

General Fowkes became concerned that there was insufficient artillery support available for an assault on Gondar. He also questioned whether one brigade would be sufficient. The present artillery available was just 8-3.7in and 4-4.5in howitzers. Brigadier James , commander of the 25th East African Brigade wanted 25pdrs for the attack. A field battery was being sent from Kenya to Massawa, where it would receive 8-25pdrs. General Fowkes decided to use a second brigade, the 26th East African Brigade for the attack on Gondar. General Fowkes also decided to have South Force, with the 60pdr medium guns move forward to support the attack, because it was unclear of the 25pdr battery would arrive in time. South Force would concentrate and attack at Kulkaber, with guerilla ("Patriot") forces. South Force assembled on 11 November 1941 and attacked "two days later". This effort to bring forward the 60pdrs failed. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

South Force for the attack on Gondar

We have a detailed list of units that comprised South Force. South Force was commanded by Lt-Colonel Collins and consisted of the following units (from a note in Vol.II of the Official History):

B Squadron, Kenya Armoured Car Regiment
51st Gold Coast Medium Battery (4-60pdrs)
1/6th Kings African Rifles
D Company, 1/3rd Kings African Rifles (Machine Gun)
9th South African Field Company
1st and 2nd Battalions, East African Pioneers (less three companies)
25th South African Road Construction Company
HQ 1st (Tanganyika) Field Ambulance
Survey Section
58th Reserve Motor Transport Company
one flight, No.41 Army Cooperation Squadron, SAAF

Air operations in East Africa from September 1941

Those few Ju-86s the SAAF had were sent to the force blockading French Somaliland in late September 1941. That left a very reduced force to operate against Gondar. In an attack on Gondar in October 1941, 7 Hartbeests, 4 Gladiators, and 1 Hurricane "dropped 7,810 lb. of bombs on the northern positions". A Gladiator had shot down a lone CR42 over the Gondar-Wolchefit road, later in October. At the end of October, No.3 Squadron SAAF had returned after rearming with Curtis Mohawks. Air operations intensified in anticipation of the assault on Gondar. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

After the surrender at Wolchefit

The British had planned to attack Gondar from Debra Tabor, but the continued heavy rains made that look less appealing. The 25th East African Brigade had been conducting probing operations towards Gondar, and the decision was made to take the all weather road from there towards Gondar. The British commander had intelligence that indicated that the Italians might surrender if threatened by sufficiently large regular force. The plan was for the 25th East African Brigade to attack on 9 November 1941. The 26th East African Brigade would follow up and "clear up the Italian positions further south". This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

The surrender of Wolchefit in September 1941

The 25th East African Brigade was sent to Massawa, Eritrea, arriving there by ship on 15 September 1941. They advanced to Wolchefit. General Platt conferred with his commanders on 20 September, and they decided to send a second brigade to Wolchefit. Before that could happen, the Italians at Wolchefit surrendered. 1,631 Italians and 1,450 Colonial troops surrendered. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

More about the East African Command in the fall of 1941

The East African Command had responsibility for operations in the following countries:

• Ethiopia
• Eritrea (the Official History says "for a short time only")
• Italian Somaliland
• British Somaliland
• Kenya
• Zanzibar
• Tanganyika
• Uganda
• Nyasaland
  
• Northern Rhodesia

The command headquarters was located in Nairobi, Kenya. The commander was assisted by a "Chief Political Officer", a diplomat.
This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History

The East Africa Command in the August and September 1941

The East Africa Command was to be directly under the War Office in Britain. The idea had been to relieve the theater commander in the Middle East from this responsibility. After the debacle in Greece and Crete, General Wavell had become increasingly balky at taking on new responsibilities. He was gone, succeeded by General Auchinleck, but the command remained. The command only formally came into existence on 15 September 1941. Lt-General Platt was appointed as the commander, but he was given a leave of absence. The acting commander became first Major-General Godwin-Austin. Shortly, Major-General Wetherall acted in his place. Lt-General Cunningham left East Africa on 29 August to become 8th Army commander, an unfortunate appointment. General Godwin-Austin left with him to become the 13th Corps commander. Lt-General Noel Beresford-Peirse was sent his place. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

Organizational changes in East Africa in July 1941 and later

General Platt commanded in "the Sudan and and the northern part of Eritrea". He did not actually have responsibility for Gondar, but he continued to direct operations in that area. To the south, General Cunningham's force was changing. He had lost the South Africans in July. The Chiefs of Staff in Britain directed that the 23rd Nigerian and 24th Gold Coast brigades be sent to Freetown, Sierra Leone. The Chiefs wanted protection against any Vichy French strikes against the important port. The 11th and 12th African Divisions were to have new brigades to replace those sent to Freetown and other assignments. There 22nd and 25th Brigades were assigned to the 12th Division. A new brigade, the 28th was formed, and the 28th and 21st Brigades would be given to the 11th Division. Because the experienced 26th Brigade was wanted for the planned attack on Gondar, the 28th was sent to "the border of French Somaliland". The 26th Brigade was added to the 12th Division. Two artillery regiments were sent to reinforce the 12th Division. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

Wolchefit in July to September 1941

Major Ringrose, commanding guerillas near Wolchefit, had wanted some regular troops to attack, expecting that the Italians would surrender to them. The 3/14th Punjab Regiment had traveled from Asmara to Wolchefit. Their attack was repulsed. The air force remained active. No.45 Squadron continued to supply the guerillas with "food and ammunition". The conducted five of these supply drops, presumably with Wellesleys. No.203 Group SAAF acquired responsibility for Wolchefit and Debarech, and conducted bombing attacks. Apparently both the RAF and SAAF conducted "almost daily attacks on these two positions". The Italians had 20mm Breda LAA guns, and they show down three South African planes that apparently attempted low-level attacks. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

I received my "desert tanker boots" tonight

I had almost given up hope, but my "desert tanker boots" finally arrived, tonight:

I bought my boots from the Armed Forces Merchandise Outlet.

More action near Gondar

Two battalions, the Composite Battalion from the Sudan Defence Force and the 3rd Ethiopian Battalion had attacked Chilga on 17 May 1941, but were repulsed. The place was strongly defended, so it was left alone until November. In the meantime, the air force continued to be active. No.47 Squadron still was flying Wellesleys, and with the Free French Flight, with Blenheims, hit "Gondar, Azozo airfield, Dabat, Chilga, Debarech and Woldchefit". They were apparently making low-level attacks. The air activity apparently helped to keep the Ethiopian guerillas inspired to keep fighting. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

Wolchefit Pass in April and May 1941

Wochefit Pass was a natural obstacle that was defended to a three mile depth by positions manned by about 3,000 Italian and 2,000 Colonial soldiers. They had some artillery, machine guns, and mortars. There was an escarpment as part of the feature, below which "the No.2 Motor Machine Gun-Group of the Sudan Defence Force" was located. There were also guerilla groups, led by British officers. The guerillas had some success. Dabat was taken in April and on 5 May, "the Italians evacuated Amba Giorgis". Attacks were attempted in May, but failed. An Italian counter-attack in June took Ras Ayalu. The lack of success caused the guerilla groups to leave the area for the time. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

More developments in late 1941 with guerillas

When the Italians at Debra Tabor surrendered, their 79th Colonial Battalion crossed over to the British side, and fought as the "79th Foot". Their commander was Captain McLean from the Royal Scots Greys. Another company, bandas, became the Wollow Banda. Their commander was Captain Pilkington of the Royal Horse Guards. They all came under Major Douglas's command and allowed him to surround Kulkabar and to interdict supplies to Gondar. There was still heavy rains, and they aloso ran out of money. More money was dropped from six No.47 Squadron Wellesleys. This allowed harassing operations to continue until November, when the rains ceased. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

Guerilla operations east of Lake Tana in April to July 1941

The goals for guerilla operations east of Lake Tana was to cut the road from Debra Tabor to Gondar and "clear the country of Italian posts". The British army officer with the guerillas from April to May was Major Simonds, who was with the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry. His guerilla band besieged Debra Tabor, starting in April. More guerillas arrived, and for a short time, they were supported by troops from the Sudan Frontier Battalion. Major Douglas, from the Highlands Light Infantry, took over the leadership from Jamor Simonds in May. He tried to get the guerillas to stage attacks, but they would only harass the Italians. The air operations were more effective. No.47 Squadron made almost daily raids on Debra Tabor in June. That finally broke the Italian resistance, causing them to surrender on 6 July. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

General Platt's situation immediately after April 1941

Operations in Eritrea ended in April 1941. General Wavell had intervened and redirected General Platt to secure the road from Asmara to Dessie, as General Wavell wanted to smooth the way for the movement of South African troops north to Egypt. General Platt had to be content, for the moment, to just screen the Italians in Wolchefit. By the time that General Platt had forces available, the weather in the north of Ethiopia precluded major operations. Most of what was happening in northern Ethiopia was either air operations or raids by Ethiopian guerillas ("The Patriots"). There were also a certain number of British officers and senior enlisted men who had "gone native" and were operating with the guerillas. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History

More air power for Gondar in August 1941 and later

The Sudan command received additional air resources. As usual, in East Africa, there was an interesting collection of aircraft:

August 3, 1941

No.3 Fighter Squadron, SAAF            Hurricane, Gladiator, Mohawk
No.l5 Bomber Squadron, SAAF            Fairey Battle (2 aircraft)
No.16 Bomber Squadron, SAAF            Ju-86
No.41 Army Cooperation Squadron, SAAF  Hartbeest

No.15 Squadron ceased operation in two weeks
No.3 Squadron departed to re-equip with only Mohawks in late August
    to return at the end of October

Air operations were limited to close support for the army in the field. They were also to eliminate any remaining Italian aircraft that might still be found. They also bombed enemy positions in support of Ethiopian guerilla warfare ("The Patriots"). This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.