§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Government have received any news from Somaliland.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford)Yes, Sir, we have received the following telegram from General Manning:—From Colonel, Swann, Bohotle, To the Secretary of State for War, April 22. Following message received from General Officer Commanding (begins):—Twenty miles to the west of Galadi, 18th April. Regret to report that flying column under the command of Cobbe, which left Galadi 10th April reconnoitre road to Walwal, as reported in my 110 of 8th April, has had most serious check on 17th April. On morning of 17th April Cobbe, at Gumburru, forty miles to the west of Galadi, had decided to return to Galadi owing to serious difficulty in finding road to Walwal and short of water. He was about to leave zariba when firing was heard in direction of small party under command of Captain Olivey which had been sent in a westerly direction to reconnoitre. At 9.15 in the morning Colonel Cobbe despatched Colonel Plunkett with 160 2nd Battalion King's African Rifles and 48 2nd Sikhs and two Maxim guns for extrication of Captain Olivey if necessary. As a matter of fact Olivey had not been engaged. Plunkett on joining Depot continued to push on. At 11.45 in the morning Colonel Cobbe heard heavy fire in direction of Plunkett, and at or about 1 o'clock in the afternoon a few fugitives coming in reported Plunkett defeated with loss. News fully corroborated since, and I have to report total loss of Plunkett's party with exception of thirty-seven Yaos who have arrived."
Latest information extracted from fugitives is dated 8 30 o'clock in the afternoon 17th April; is as follows:—That Plunkett pushed on after enemy's force to open country seven miles to the west of Gumburru. Here he was attacked by very strong force of mounted 216 troops and enemy's infantry, who attacked at close quarters.
He kept back enemy's forces until no more ammunition, when he formed square and charged (with) bayonet in direction of Cobbe's zariba. He moved for some distance in this manner, but a great many, inclusive of Plunkett, killed and wounded by enemy's force in pursuit. At last enemy's infantry overwhelmed square and annihilated all with exception of 37 fugitives above mentioned.
Following reported missing, without doubt killed in action:—
Officers, 2nd Bn. King's African Rifles: Colonel Plunkett, Captains Johnston-Stewart, Olivey, Morris, MacKinnon, Lieutenants Gaynor and Bell.
2nd Sikhs: Captain Visey [? Vesey].
Indian Medical Staff: Captain Sime.
Rank and file: No. 2176 Private Laurence Ensor, 4th K.R.R.C.; No. 1589 Private John Barrow, 4th K.R.R.C.
Rank and file, native soldiers: 2nd Sikhs, 18; 2nd Bn. King's African Rifles, 124.
Two Maxim guns also lost.
Colonel Cobbe reports result of slight fighting on 16th April—Lieutenant Chichester, Somali M.I., killed in action.
Received earliest account from Cobbe 8.30 o'clock last night, 17th April, bearing date 1 10 o'clock in the afternoon, to the following effect:—That he feared that Plunkett had been repulsed with serious loss, started immediately after for Gumburru with 300 2nd Sikhs, 60 3rd Battalion K.A. Rifles. Kenna, with all available M.I.—namely, 100—started at once; at the same time ordered to push on as fast as possible.—COBBE.
Further information from above mentioned reached me marching. Cobbe encamping with 220 troops; plenty of food supplies and four days' water. He has about 1,000 camels and does not think he can withdraw from there with them without help, because the scrub is thick and the enemy's forces seem likely to act on the offensive.
I march again directly to-night at moonrise, expecting to arrive at Gumburru to-morrow at noon. I shall accomplish extrication of Cobbe with as much as possible transport and shall return to Galadi. Can only carry sufficient water for march to Gumburru returning 217 direct with Cobbe, and therefore unable to advance against an enemy's forces if he keeps back. Will telegraph as soon as possible with regard to situation of affairs as soon as I shall accomplish extrication of Cobbe.—MANNING, (ends.)