General Kitchener’s Desert Railway In Sudan
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Published 2024-01-07
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The Desert Railway was one of the most ambitious engineering constructions undertaken during a war by the Victorian British Army.
Overseen by a Canadian Royal Engineer, Percy Girouard, using thousands of local labourers who had never even seen a railway before, the 200 mile route dramatically reduced the time needed to bring troops and supplies to Kitchener’s army advancing into Sudan to avenge the death of Charles Gordon in Khartoum 10 years previously.
The railway still connects the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, to Egypt, to this day.
However, before it could be completed, Kitchener had to capture the town of Abu Hamad on the River Nile.
In a lightening advance, Sudanese troops serving Kitchener advanced 146 miles in 8 days.
Under the command of hector MacDonald, a crofter’s son who had risen from the ranks, they completed the last 36 miles in just 35 hours to take the `mahdist garrison by surprise.
Shocked by MacDonald’s arrival they fled the town and a month later the railway was completed.
With the railway bringing fresh troops and supplies to his army, Kitchener was in a position to deliver his final blow and advance on the Mahdi’s successor at Omdurman.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:22 Summary
1:39 Mahdist Revolt
2:39 The Scramble For Africa
3:43 British Interest In Sudan
5:51 Dongola Expedition
8:08 Fears About The French
8:46 Abu Hamad
10:19 The Desert Railway
11:29 Percy Girouand
13:44 Cecil Rhodes
15:01 Hector MacDonald
16:19 Sudan Military Railway
17:42 Battle of Atbara
Sources used to produce this video included:
"Khartoum" - Michael Asher
"The Scramble For Africa" - Thomas Packenham
"Queen Victoria's Little Wars" - Byron Farwell
"The River War" - Winston Churchill
Dictionary of Canadian Biography
British Battles.com
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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"
Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
All Comments (21)
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Travelled on the roof of a train on this railway on my overland trip Cairo to Cape Town in 1984. Amazing landscape.
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Yes to a Kitchener episode. I’ve been Orkney and overlooked the place of his death. Odd end for such a remarkable man.
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I've read a lot about Chinese Gordon (a hero of mine), Sudan, and Kitchener, and Churchill when he was young at the end of the Dervish. Fascinating men and fascinating history. Thank you for your work on this aspect of the tale, as i have learned about things I did not know. 👍
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Impressive I must say, build in a hurry 150 years ago, still in working condition today!
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Kitchener, Ontario was formerly named Berlin (many German immigrants settled there), until it was changed in 1916. Some there are still bitchn about it, to this day. 🙄 tyvm for another upload 🍻🇨🇦😁
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glad I found this channel. Your videos have a similar feel to Historiograph’s British naval videos; of which I binged all
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I went to Kitchener's memorial when I was in Orkney. Bit run-down and there was definitely some work underway on it. If you're not familiar with his death, it's quite an interesting story.
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They can't fix the pot hole outside my house but a rail road through a dessert not a problem them were the days I guess.
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Marvellous as always. Amazing History!! Yes. Please to a Series on Kitchener himself ..
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In 2017 i was part of a team conducting an airborne geo physical survey in the Nubian desert about 300 km NE of Abu Hamed , we landed our helicopter at several of the old stations on this railway and were amazed at the wells and old riveted British water storage tanks still intact and blacked by the sun . We never seen any trains using the railway line it in our time there . I love watching your videos Chris , very well made and informative . How about doing a video on the battle of Mirbat in Oman my childhood home . Thanks Chris and keep up the great work .
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Hector MacDonald, "the fighting Mac", is still well remembered in the highlands, especially Dingwall where there's a monument to him. An interesting life and a sad end.
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This is a good video to have on a Monday morning interesting to learn about our involvement of the railway expansion into the Sudan and the entering part and it’s man behind it good video good to see we’re following Kitchener’s campaign and yes it would be good to see the full video of the man and his life thanks again for another interesting look into this part of late Victorian history
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Enjoyed the video, thank you
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Thanks again Chris, it's amazing what they could do back then. To be able to build a railway that is running to this day with just the basic. Another brilliant telling, many thanks
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Fascinating again. Well done
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Another good one Chris .
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Good to see you in action again, Chris! I'd be interested to know more about the railway at the Woolwich Arsenal, if there is anything more to be had.
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Wonderful video!
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Kitchener video? Yes please! Great channel :)
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His Chris, that is an amazing feat of engineering built without a single navvie? Great story thank you!!
