In 1876 a skirmish took place in Montana that is remembered even today. Although I thoroughly enjoy reading about the campaign that was enlightened by Custer's defeat it seems that perhaps we Americans are somewhat chauvinistic in that a battle that resulted in 250 or so deaths has a massive literature and that the battle of Adowa 20 years later has much less written about it. In point of fact Adowa was an enormous battle with over 15,000 Italians and Allies against 125,000 Ethiopians. The casualty list was also very severe and the results were decisive. The battle of Adowa is most fascinating. The Ethiopians had been a pathetic paper tiger when the British sacked their capitol and their king committed suicide earlier in the 19th century. This was very deceiving however. As a feudal state the Emperor had to be strong and popular in order to have an effective army. This was not the situation when Britain fought Ethiopia. When Italy became involved the scenario was different. A powerful emperor had been winning a battle against the fanatical Mahdists when his death resulted in defeat for Ethiopia. His successor Menelek was an even better leader. By clever diplomacy he was able to obtain copious rifles from French, German and Russian sources. The Ethiopian army, although of diverse and heterogeneous tribal sources was well armed with slightly out of date rifles. In addition these tribal hordes had quick firing guns not at all backward by 1896 standards. Please note some similarities between Little Big Horn and Adowa. Just as Custer, Crook et al had several sharp fights with natives prior to their battle the Italians had a number of small fights with Ethiopia which were of mixed result. As March 1, 1896 approached General Baratieri held a conference with his subgenerals. It was decided to split his forces, probably due to difficult terrain and for political reasons as a replacement commander was en route to Ethiopia. This is reminiscent of an aggressive Chelmsford at Ulundi and even of Custer who was chosen for his aggressiveness to lead the 7th Cavalry. In modern warfare the defensive is preeminent but politics sometimes turns sensible generals into heated ones. Custer was poorly informed or negligent as to the morale and numbers that he faced. So was Baratieri. He was told by natives that the savage army was of low morale, starving and ill armed. It is doubtful that he could have accepted 8:1 odds on the offensive amidst hills and valleys with poor siting of artillery and limited reconnaissance without an incredible lack of information otherwise. Before the actual battle is discussed we must mention and discuss nonsense that is sometimes discussed when reviewing Italians armies. That is that Italians are poor soldiers. This is ridiculous and untrue. The Italians, many of whom were at this battle had fought very well against the Mahdists and the Ethiopians previously. Their courage was superb in the wars against the Austrians. Italian soldiers fought magnificently in World War I against Austria. They also were above average in WWII and basically limited in their chance for victory in N. Africa and Russia by lack of 20th century equipment. All in all, nonsense about relative fighting ability is essentially ridiculous. The 1942 German soldier was the best in the world. But the German Corps in the American Civil War was no more than average. The Rumanians ran at Stalingrad. But they fought superbly at Sevastopol and just could not fight tanks with rifles. And so it goes. One need only remember Romans running in the first battle with Pyrrhus and then beating him in their 3rd fight to realize that winning battles and courage are a day by day thing. The Italians at Adowa were good fighters who underestimated their enemies. Fought them in poor terrain and in an uncoordinated matter. And so did Custer.  The day began very early for the Italians who marched before dawn. General Albertone thrust towards position 4 with his native Brigade of ascaris. Dressed in white with soft red fezzes and probably sashes they were hampered by poor maps and they wound up well in advance of the other Brigades a battalion was sent ahead and encountered a fierce lot of natives. Emperor Menelek had massed a large body of warriors with rifles and quick firing cannon to assault the native Brigade. The initial battalion was swamped and hurled back to the native Brigade who suddenly realized that they were being surrounded by the tactics of many native tribes - not just Zulus - of a body and horns type attack. Initial brave resistance was tempered by noticing incredible Ethiopian courage in the face of massed volleys and a realization of untold and unexpected warrior numbers. A retreat began that led to rout. General Daboruida had attempted to reach the sound of the guns and assist General Albertone. However he became lost and took on a horde of tribes with success. Unknown to him the Ethiopians were on his flanks however as they swarmed to attack the main position of General Buratieri. An attack by the elite and fanatical alpini and the picked ascaris who had recently annihilated a Madhist army at site 3 was repulsed with great loss. Suddenly General Buratieri's situation was extremely critical. The savage warriors turned and attacked Daboruida from behind. His assault was broken up by great numbers. The Italians and their allies were shattered at sites 1 and 4 and in full retreat at 2 and 3. Forlorn hopes rallied and \fought to cover the rout leaving their bodies strewn in the bleak hills of Ethiopia. Picture yourself at Adowa the grandest colonial battle that was a last stand. Savage warriors who can only be described as freedom fighters as this was their homeland approach in untold thousands. They are colorfully dressed. A feudal army with troops that ranged from arabic type dress to native cloaks and even spear and shield type fighters resembling Zulus. They believe in their Emperor and know only the offensive. They are supported by rapid fire artillery which was well handled. There are many cavalry and morale is high. If you are role playing the Italians you are a member of a modern army. You are dressed in khaki, have a plumed helmet and a good rifle. You are backed by mountain cannons which are light in calibre and carried by mules. The blood of Caesar and Garabaldi is in your veins and there are well trained proven ascaris and courageous Alpini in your army. You feel you can win the battle at any odds - you have done it before against the Ethiopians and the Mahdists. And then this rout. To be in a strange land that is not your own for Imperialism. Such is the stuff of adventure, of glory. Although war is bad and useless this battle occurred. This was Adowa - the greatest Colonial battle outside of India and the most glorious victory for those who preferred liberty at all costs. I recently fought Adowa on the wargame table. The Italians were purchased from Stone Mountain in 15mm and supplemented by British soldiers in khaki. The Native Brigade were Egyptians in summer white or winter blue with red fez. The wargame was fought for fun and historical amusement. In other words although it is excellent to know the colors of the combatants uniforms it is fun to be practical and substitute troops that look similar. Although I knew how the opposing forces looked a profound paucity of 15mm Ethiopians resulted in the following natives on the table: Numidians, Arabs, Ancient Indian Spearmen, Ottomans, Moghuls, Madhists, Zulus,Afghans, and assorted Eastern warriors. They looked ferocious on the table and that's what counts. Since I am a historical gamer note there were no Celts, charriots and WWII troops on the table which could lead to charges of just playing with toy soldiers. And if this is wrong who cares! Cherish the history and know it\ - but play with the toys and keep an open mind. The scale was about 1:50 and the rules were an extremely modified DBA type of the simplest fun nature. The Italians were routed but the casualties on both sides were enormous. I had a great deal of respect for the Colonialists after the battle - their cause was bleak from the start. In conclusion, the Battle of Adowa bears many a resemblance to the Little Big Hom. As long as there is one historian/wargamer alive the sacrifices of both sides will be remembered. And after all, aren't glory and immortality the same thing. And if no one is immortal isn't being remembered the most glorious and immortal thing there can be? Read about these men, remember them, they will never die. Back to MWAN #67 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1994 Hal Thinglum This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com