Omdurman

A you-are-there account of the 19th-century battle against the army of Abdullah al-Taashi that established British dominance in the Sudan.

The death of General Gordon in Khartoum at the hand of the Dervishes is one of the most celebrated events in the history of the 19th century. Equally dramatic, but perhaps less well-known, is the extraordinary battle 14 years later in which Sir Herbert Kitchener avenged the murder of Gordon at Omdurman.

Personal accounts of the legendary battle seen through the eyes of Private George Teigh and Lieutenant Samuel FitzGibbon Cox are included. Both the private and the officer kept diaries, both recorded the same events, but with vastly differing views. Difficulties with boots, bullets and gunboats are described, but it is the eye-witness accounts that give full flavor to a fascinating campaign, which saw the last full cavalry charge.