Tel El-Kebir 1882: Wolseley's Conquest of Egypt

Osprey Campaign #27

by Donald F. Featherstone

Osprey's Campaign title for the battle of Tel El-Kebir of 1882. In 1881, the Egyptian army mutinied against the Khedive of Egypt and forced him to appoint Said Ahmed Arabi as Minister of War. In March 1882, Arabi was made a Pasha and from this time on acted as a dictator. Arabi demanded that the foreigners be driven out of Egypt and called for the massacre of Christians. This prompted an armed British response, first in the form of a naval bombardment of Alexandria, and then as an expeditionary force under Lieutenant-General Wolseley. This book explores the entire campaign, including Sir Wolseley's 'textbook' operation that was planned and executed with masterly competence.

Genres: History, Military History, Africa, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1993

About the author

Featherstone (who sometimes used his middle initial and sometimes didn't) served in the Royal Armoured Corps in World War II before becoming a physiotherapist. He worked for Southampton Football Club and Hampshire County Cricket Club, writing books on sporting, dancing, and industrial injuries.

Later, he turned his attention to his childhood hobby of toy soldiers, writing dozens of books on the subject and becoming instrumental in the development of wargaming as a pasttime. He also wrote books on military history.

Reviews

[Vircenguetorix · Rating 3 out of 5]

A todos los que nos encanta la historia militar, nunca podremos agradecer lo suficiente a la editorial Osprey sus volúmenes y series. En los años 90 devoraba esos libros y me llevaban a conflictos que en ese momento no sabía ni que habían existido.

Uno de los que descubrí, gracias a la maestría de Donald Featherstone, fue la batalla de Tel El-Kebir en 1882. Un momento clave en la historia de Egipto y de todo el Islam radical posterior, en especial los Hermanos Musulmanes.

La historia que nos narra Featherstone es un compendio de todos los elementos del colonialismo e imperialismo decimonónico, desde el control financiero, condominios, protectorados, rebeliones, golpes de estado, masacres, intervenciones militares, cambios de gobierno, amenazas y bombardeos.

Es un momento donde la opinión pública británica todavía se resiste a las intervenciones militares en lugares del mundo que no sea la India básicamente. Un general como Wolseley, y posteriormente Kitchener a finales del XIX, harán que el imperialismo británico sea ya expansivo y cien por cien militarista.

El problema que tienen estos libros es que se disfrutan a medias, porque una mitad es fantástica con introducciones históricas, personajes destacados, planes de batalla...pero siempre hay una parte extensa muy procedimental y casi burocrática y administrativa de tipo militar que suele ser árida y poco estimulante, y que se lee muy por encima. Sería parecido a comerse un costillar, está bien pero más de la mitad del peso no es aprovechable.

Nota: 6,5/10

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations, less so the block quotes and shallow references to the Falklands War.

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat odd and very "British" addition to Osprey's Campaigns series. Regardless, it is very competently put together and demonstrates perfectly the strength of Campaigns format, provided that the book deals with appropriate topic. The book is divided into usual sub-components: overview of political and military situaton, overview of commanders and troops of opposing sides and finally a methodical recount of events of the operation. The text is supported by contemporary illustrations and excellent maps.

A must for those interested by colonial warfare, perhaps less interesting for the rest of us.