Both the Egyptian and Sudanese battalions marched in columns of double companies, but the Sudanese, having six companies, advanced to attack in a line of four companies with two companies in reserve behind the center at a distance of one company. In this way the two flank companies could swing around to form a square if necessary. Bayonet charges were launched in this formation. This formation was adopted by the Egyptian battalions at Omdurman as well. In advancing in brigades the same formation was adopted, with two battalions on the fighting line, each with two companies out of their six behind in support (Knight, pp. 105, 117). A brigade of four battalions had three battalions in front with one battalion in column (sometimes double companies) in the rear. The Egyptian Army 1880-1900 The Early Years and Growth of an Army The Frontier 1885-96 and Reconquest The Sudenese Battalions The Egyptians and Conclusion Uniforms, Flags, and Numbers Attack Formations of the Sudenese Battalions Back to Table of Contents -- Savage and Soldier Sudan Special Issue Back to Savage and Soldier List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2004 by Milton Soong. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com