New York: Sarpedon, 1996, $29.95
General Sir Archibald Hunter G.C.B., G.C.V.O., D.S.O. is probably the most famous Victorian leader you've never heard of. If Wolseley, Kitchener and Roberts occupy the top tier of late Victorian British generals, Hunter is just one step behind with the likes of Wood, Buller, Gough and Napier. Hunter was a typical British subaltern until 1884, when he joined the New Egyptian Army under then-Sirdar Evelyn Wood. Almost immediately he became the Commanding Officer of the 9th Sudanese Regiment. He weathered the disbandment and reorganization of his regiment and was soon posted to the upper Nile, south of Wadi Halfa ("Bloody Halfway" to the Tommies). He was to spend most of his active career on the frontier of Egypt.
The New Egyptian Army had little to do with the Gordon Relief Expedition. Still experimental, its early days were fraught with disaffection. Slowly, though, the British officers and non-coms formed it into a reputable force. Hunter grew along with his regiment, gaining a reputation for decisive action and showing a natural talent for frontier warfare.
Hunter missed the battle of Ginnis (30 Dec 85), the first real test of the Egyptian Army. He had been seriously injured two weeks earlier in a skirmish near Kosheh. The wound, which was nearly mortal, was to cause him trouble for the rest of his life. For the action at Kosheh, Hunter was one of the first awardees of the DSO.
Because of his wound, Hunter left the Egyptian Army for two years, but he rejoined it, and his old battalion, in 1888. He led a brigade in the battles of Argin (2 Jul 1889) and Toski (3 Aug 89). He was then posted to the Suakin area, becoming Governor of the Red Sea Littoral in July 1892. In 1894 he became Governor of the Nile Frontier, and Officer Commanding the Frontier Field Force.
In 1896 the Dongala campaign began, and Hunter was placed in command of the Egyptian Division. He was in command at the battles of Firket (7 Jun 96) and Abu Hamed (7 Aug 97), and led his division at Atbara (8 Apr 98). It was during this time that Hunter gained his fame as "Kitchener's Sword Arm". Many things can be said about Kitchener, but at least he knew his limitations. He relied heavily on Hunter for both advice on strategy and direct leadership on the field of battle. At this, Hunter excelled.
After a short home leave, Hunter returned to the Sudan in time for the final act of the reconquest at Omdurman. His division now consisted of four brigades. At Omdurman it was Hunter's division that saved Kitchener's bacon when the Green Flag Dervishes struck the right flank of the prematurely advancing Anglo-Egyptian army. After Omdurman Hunter subdued the Blue Nile region.
He then returned to England where he was feted, lionized and awarded the KCB. Hunter then served for a very short time as the Governor of Quetta province in India when he was personally selected by Buller to be his Chief of Staff in the coming war in South Africa. Hunter was immediately sent to the Natal frontier, where he essentially became Chief of Staff to General George White. Along with White, Hunter became besieged at Ladysmith.
It was at this point that Hunter was placed in a very difficult situation. The author argues that Hunter, not White, was responsible for the successful defense of Ladysmith. White had been demoralized by recent British defeats, and Hunter was placed in the ticklish position of running the defense without offending White. In addition, Hunter had to deal with the prickly Ian Hamilton.
After the relief of Ladysmith, Hunter went on to organize the relief of Mafeking, on the other side of the Transvaal. He fought the battle of Rooidam (5 May 1900) and entered Mafeking on 17 May. He went on to command the successful Brandwater basin campaign in July, where the Boer leader Prinsloo was captured. Hunter survived the guerrilla war phase of the Boer War and returned to England as one of the few generals with his reputation untarnished.
After the war, Hunter gave evidence to the commission investigating the conduct of the war. Here he unfortunately made two errors that sabotaged his career. He compared the naval gunners at Ladysmith to a bunch of schoolgirls and made comments that questioned the performance of Sir George White. Hunter appears to have not realized that at this late stage in his career, political considerations were the key to further advancement, and he had ruffled quite a few feathers.
Hunter went on to command the Poona Corps in India, then the Southern Army. He became involved in the conflict between Viceroy Curzon and Kitchener, then Commander in Chief, India. Hunter left India in 1908 a full general and still reasonably young at 52. He then became Governor of Gibraltar, where he served with distinction until an unfortunate incident in 1913, when he made comments that were construed by the Gibralteans as insulting. An investigation was commenced, and Hunter almost resigned, but of course the start of World War I intervened.
At this time Hunter was the senior general on the army list, and he fully expected an active command, especially since his old commander Kitchener was the Minister of War. Hunter was rewarded with command of the 13th Division. Unfortunately, Hunter was never posted to France and spent the entire war in command at Aldershot. Hunter was considered for the command at Gallipoli, but it was given to Hamilton instead. Surely here is one of the greatest "what ifs" of the war. The achievements of Hunter and the tough ANZACs might well have removed Turkey from the war three years early.
Hunter left Aldershot and retired from active duty on 29 Sept 1917. In many ways the British army then fighting in France and all over the world was his army - he had trained it. After the war he served in Parliament, but left that body after one term saying "he wished to die an honest man."
"Kitchener's Sword Arm, The Life and Campaigns of General Sir Archibald Hunter" tells the story of the man in lively and entertaining fashion. Written by a great-nephew of the general, Hunter is presented in a favorable light, as would be expected. The book breaks new ground in examining the relationship between Kitchener and Hunter. The author establishes that Hunter was one of only a few men who could criticize Kitchener and get away with it.
That Kitchener bore no ill will is seen by the fact that he served as Hunter's best man and gave him a job during World War I, when political forces would have prevented it. The author also takes pains to present both sides, and is duly critical of mistakes made by Hunter at the battle of Atbara and during the Boer War. Likewise, the author presents the story of Hunter's missteps before the committee to investigate the conduct of the war and as Governor of Gibraltar. Both of these incidents remain for the most part unexplained. What does come out is a rich story of a frontier soldier who rises on his own ability, replete with details of battles, maps and force organizations.
Wargamers will not be disappointed by this book, as it provides enough detail to re-create the Dongala campaign. The maps are quite good, and include some for battles that are normally glossed over, such as Toski, Firket and Abu Hamed. One of the most interesting things in this book is a reproduction of a hand written order from Kitchener to Hunter before the battle of Abu Hamed. It could be a model for all wargamers of the period.
In addition to background on the battles, this book also provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of the British officer and late Victorian society. "Kitchener's Sword Arm" is a worthy addition to any gamer's library.
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© Copyright 1997 by Richard Brooks.
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