Battle of Omdurman

The Charge of the 21st Lancers

On the morning of 2 September 1898, twenty-three-year-old Winston Churchill charged with the 21st Lancers in the Battle of Omdurman. He first wrote about the attack in an article for the Daily Telegraph, but two weeks later he also wrote a more candid version of events in a letter to his friend Colonel Ian Hamilton. Here follows an extract:

We trotted in column of troops across their front from right to left. As we did so, the enemy got down on their knees and opened a very sharp fire. There was a loud brisk crackle of musketry. The distance was too short for it to be harmless on so big a target, and I realised that there were only two courses open: Left wheel into line and gallop off—coming back for wounded—a bad business, [or] Right wheel into line and charge. I think everybody made his own decision. At any rate, while the trumpet was still jerking we were all at the gallop [riding] towards them. The fire was too hot to allow of second lines—flank squadrons or anything like that being arranged. The only order given was Right Wheel into Line. Gallop & Charge were understood.

I went through the first hundred yards looking over my left shoulder to see what sort of effect the fire was producing. It seemed small. Then I drew my Mauser pistol—a ripper—and cocked it. Then I looked to my front. Instead of the 150 riflemen who were still blazing I saw a line nearly (in the middle)—twelve deep and a little less than our own front of closely jammed spearmen—all in a nullah with steep sloping sides six foot deep and twenty foot broad….

I must explain my position. I was right troop leader but one. I saw we overlapped. I was afraid we would charge into air. I shouted to Lieutenant Wormald (an excellent officer) to shoulder, and we actually struck the enemy in a crescent formation. The result of our shoulder was this: my troop struck the nullah diagonally, and their decreasing slope enabled us to gallop through not jump it. Result: we struck faster and more formed than the centre troops.

Opposite me they were about four deep. But they all fell knocked A.O.T. [arse over tip] and we passed through without any sort of shock. One man in my troop fell. He was cut to pieces. Five or six horses were wounded by back handers etc. But [we were] otherwise unscathed. Then we emerged into a region of scattered men and personal combats. The troop broke up and disappeared. I pulled into a trot and rode up to individuals firing my pistol in their faces and killing several—three for certain—two doubtful—one very doubtful. Then I looked round and saw the Dervish mass reforming.

The charge had passed through knocking over nearly half. They were getting on their legs again, and their Emirs were trying to collect them into a lump again. I realised that this mass was about twenty yards away, and I looked at them stupidly for what may have been two seconds. Then I saw two men get down on their knees and take aim with rifles—and for the first time the danger and peril came home to me. I turned and galloped. The squadron was reforming nearly 150 yards away. As I turned, both shots were fired, and at that close range I was grievously anxious. But I heard none of their bullets—which went Heaven knows where. So, I pulled into a canter and rejoined my troop—having fired exactly ten shots and emptied my pistol—but without a hair of my horse or a stitch of my clothing being touched. Very few can say the same.

To watch a video clip of the charge as depicted in the 1972 film Young Winston, please CLICK HERE.

Bulletin #196 Sep — 2024