Chapter 153: Preparing for the Rain (Five)

On September 26, 1908, the main force of the Second Field Army of the Ethiopian Duke Matafaria arrived at the southeastern important town of Kolahe. On that day, on the south and west sides of Kolahe, two infantry divisions of the Somalia Army and several indigenous troops of the total number of more than 50,000 people were gathered. Driven by the veteran Italian army, Aldiye, this army was about to break through the Kolahei-Kbridhar line in one fell swoop and open the door to Ethiopian second-largest city and foreign trade center - Dredava.

In the city of Kohera, in a luxurious mansion that had just been requisitioned as a regiment headquarters, the Duke of Matafaria, who was in his prime, sat obliquely on a chair and listened to the report of the intelligence consultant.

"The second division of the Italian army is on the front of our army, 20 kilometers away from us, the third division is on the west side of our army, 35 kilometers away from us, and the indigenous army is deployed on the flanks of the two divisions. The four main infantry brigades and two cavalry regiments of our army are all in Kohela. In addition, the former defenders of Kohela are 2,000 regular troops and 4,000 militias of the Marquis of Saniry. 30 kilometers north of Kbridhar are 1,500 regular troops and 6,000 militias of the Marquis of Beiru, and 3,000 militias of the Earl of Toksun behind the enemy."

After hearing this, the Duke took a sip of coffee and turned to his Chinese consultant Li Xiuping: "Li, what do you think?"

"I think you can take the initiative to attack and catch the enemy off guard."

"Tell me, how can I take the initiative to attack?"

Li Xiuping walked to the large map hanging on the wall and pointed to a valley with contour lines on the south side of Kolahei: "I came here last year. This is the only way for the enemy to "nearly" approach Kolahei from the south. At that time, I thought that I could set up an ambush here."

The Duke of Matafaria shrugged: "Vasai Valley, I know, but it is just a small pass with a gentle slope and is easily detoured."

"You can use cavalry ambush there, intercept the enemy's vanguard, and leave after the battle, and aim to kill and injure the enemy's living forces."

"No, my target is not the enemy's vanguard." Duke Matafaria shook his head slightly, twisting the cross around his neck.

"I want to fight a bigger battle." The duke stood up and walked to the map, covering the entire Kolahei-Kbridhar region with one palm.

"What is the Duke's plan?"

"I want to use the power of the Second Legion to destroy the entire Italian-Somali Legion, first concentrate my strength to defeat the Second Division, then turn around and annihilate the Third Division under the city of Kolahe. As for those Somalis, the 30,000 militias I brought to deal with are enough."

Li Xiuping carefully advised: "Duke, this is too risky... Besides, the emperor's order is to hold on to Kolahei. If Kolahei is wrong..."

The Duke of Matafaria shook his head and smiled, "I understand the army I lead, and I know the land I defend. This place was conquered with Duke Maconnan back then. Li, please make good records and let your emperor know how the Abyssinians fought!"

Having said this, Li Xiuping felt that there was no good advice. After all, his identity was just a consultant. When the other party wanted to consult, he could speak freely. When others didn't want you to speak, it would be good to say it, and he would be wrong to say it.

At dawn the next day, the Duke of Matafaria really led the main force of the Second Field Army to leave Kohela City with 48 cannons, and set up formations in the Vase Valley 10 kilometers south of the city to prepare for the war.

According to Li Xiuping's records, the Ethiopian army's deployment on that day is as follows:

Left wing - The 11th Infantry Brigade, 5,000 people, carrying 12 mountain cannons hidden behind the cliffs on the east side of the valley;

Mobile teams—the Fifth and Sixth Cavalry Regiments, 3,000 men, hidden behind the gentle slope on the east side of the valley;

Right wing - The 14th and 15th Infantry Brigade, 10,000 people, carrying 24 mountain cannons hidden behind the gentle slope on the west side of the valley.

The reserve team - the 12th Infantry Brigade, with 5,000 men, 12 howitzers were deployed in the center of the valley, with 10,000 militias from the Duke of Matafaria on both sides.

Seduce the enemy - 100 cavalry and 3,000 light militias led by Hatu, the second son of the Duke of Matafaria.

...

"The plan is perfect, the enemy will take the bait. The Duke of Matafaria is so convinced that when someone reports that two infantry brigades on the right wing were already broken by the enemy's attack from behind, he spat at the person who came to report, and ordered his men to drag the unlucky guy out and whip it with a whip..."

Li Xiuping witnessed the disastrous defeat of the Second Legion, but what he could see was actually very limited.

What is the truth of history is not important to Li Xiuping.

Perhaps it was the internal intelligence leak, perhaps it was the Italian commander's inspiration, or perhaps it was the local Muslims who were recently conquered by Ethiopia to take the initiative to make suggestions for the Italian army that came to "liberate" them... In any case, the Italian army did not fall into the pocket formation carefully set up by the Duke of Matafaria, but instead secretly touched the side of the Egyptian army and caught the Egyptian army off guard.

If Li Xiuping was God, or if he had the right to move freely, he could ride a fast horse and go around the position, he would have likely seen the following scenes:

The 14th, ambushed behind the hillside on the west side of the valley in dense formations, suddenly heard the sound of artillery behind the 15th Brigade. Italian cannons shot in secret from the small diagonal slope of the Egyptian army. The shells fell in the middle of the Egyptian army crowded with hillsides, causing shocking casualties and chaos. At the same time, at least 2,000 cavalry (including many Muslim cavalry wearing headscarves) shouted and launched an attack. Behind the sand and soil with horse hooves, countless neatly arranged infantry columns appeared and loomed.

Before the Italian cavalry could approach, the 14th and 15th Brigades of the Egyptian army, which were stunned by the dense artillery fire from the sky, began to disintegrate. After the commander of the right wing Marquis Ansel, died at the feet of other deserters after personally executing several deserters. More than half of the officers and soldiers of the 14th and 15th Brigade crossed the top of the slope and fled into the valley that was originally intended to be the tomb of the Italian army. Those who did not escape into the valley either died under artillery fire and sabers, or surrendered. The 24 cannons on the position fell into the enemy's hands without a few shells.

When the Duke of Matafaria saw the deserters and the Italian cavalry who rushed up the top of the west slope of the valley, he finally realized the seriousness of the situation. Obviously, his wonderful plan was bankrupt.

"Duke, the matter has come to this point, it is important to preserve your strength. Please withdraw Kolahei as soon as possible."

This was how Li Xiuping suggested to the duke at that time.

"No, I did not fail. I still have 3,000 powerful plateau cavalry. The Italian cavalry is not cavalry, they are just a group of pigs riding on horses!"
Chapter completed!