The First Victory by Andrew Stewart

Author:Andrew Stewart [Stewart, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780300208559
Publisher: Yale University Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

TRIUMPH IN THE MOUNTAINS

The Battle of Keren

CUNNINGHAM HAD ENJOYED huge success on the southern front and initially Platt had also advanced from the Sudan with ease. Wavell sensed that the Italians were in increasing disarray. He ordered the British and Commonwealth troops to now quickly push on towards Asmara but to reach it they would first have to pass through Keren. This town was important to both the Italian and British and Commonwealth forces as road and rail routes through it afforded access to Asmara, the capital of Eritrea some forty-five miles to the east, and to Massawa, the main port in the southern Red Sea. To capture it, Platt’s two Indian divisions would have to confront the best Italian troops remaining in East Africa. It was estimated in late February that in the whole of Eritrea there were still more than 14,000 Europeans and 44,000 colonials, approximately two-thirds of whom were now concentrated at this key position.1 The Italians had actually assembled slightly fewer, forty-two battalions or approximately 31,000 men, including elements from the Bersaglieri, Alpini and Savoia Grenadiers, but these were the best they could muster. To begin with, they also outgunned their opponents with 144 artillery pieces, twenty more than the British had, and with better transport to move them around.2 Some of the guns were of an ancient vintage but they were ideal for mountain warfare because the shells could be fired almost vertically over the steep hills to reach the enemy positions below, something the British 25-pounders were not able to match with their flat trajectory.3 Even the Italian mortars outranged the British versions and could also be moved more easily by their mules. With such a potentially decisive advantage in firepower the defending garrison appeared poised, at least at the outset, to dominate this battlefield.4

Perhaps most significantly, facing the attacking forces was an accomplished Italian commander who was highly motivated and prepared for a fight. General Nicolangelo Carnimeo had been an army officer for more than thirty years and viewed each of the peaks that made up the Keren defences as an opportunity to halt the British and Commonwealth troops. His confident outlook helped bolster the garrison’s morale and there is no doubt that the men he led throughout the battle were well disciplined and a much more formidable opponent than any of the units being encountered by Cunningham’s forces on the southern front.5 This extended to the Italian colonial troops; as had been seen elsewhere, they were generally reliable but needed strong leadership, and this was now provided by Carnimeo. The Eritreans were particularly inspired by him, at least initially, to stand fast and help defend this position.6 The Italian general also proved adept at organising the defenders to exploit the natural advantages offered by the terrain. His forces dominated the key high ground and exploited this to the fullest extent.7 Fortifications were added and trenches and inter-communicating trails prepared which allowed reinforcements to be quickly moved to any threatened position.8 Although

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