Chain of Command:Abyssinia – Eritrean and Somali Irregulars

 

The next Chain of Command:Abyssinia army list starts to detail some of the tribal forces of The Abyssinian Crisis.

There were long standing feuds and inter-tribal warfare amongst the Eritrean and Somalian tribes that inhabited the Horn of Africa. They fought as much amongst themselves as against their Ethiopian neighbours and many warriors flocked to the Italian colours to serve, but more likely, settle old scores.

These forces include, but are not limited to, the highly regarded Somalian Dubat forces, the opportunistic forces of Sultan Olol Dinle, notable Azebo Galla cavalrymen and the Spahis di Libya, led by the enigmatic Amedeo Guillet.

These warriors start to give a look at how Chain of Command:The Abyssinian War handles irregular forces which adds a distinctly colonial feel to the period and provides much variety for those Chain of Command players fielding otherwise conventional forces up to now.

Eritrean and Somali Irregulars army lists can be downloaded with all other lists here.

 

Chain of Command:Abyssinia – Penne di Falco

The Italians made extensive use of their Eritrean subjects, none more so than the militarising of the natural horsemen of Africa. The most well known soldiers of this type were cavalrymen known as the Penne di Falco (Hawk Feathers) due to their distinctive headdress. Beyond normal service in the Eritrean Ascari foot formations, it was considered something of an honour to serve in this mounted elite.

In Italian Somaliland mounted contingents were also present, these being the Corpo Zaptié della Somalia Italiana. These Somali troops had a long and established para-military role serving as conventional military cavalry forces with distinction, despite their notional duties as ‘military police’ in quieter times. A number of these carabinieri were also formed and served in the northern theatre of operations.

During the Italo-Ethiopian war, 208 Zaptié lost their lives, another 800 were wounded. Its members were awarded  4 Gold Medals, 49 Silver and 108 Bronze for Military Valour, plus 435 Crosses of War. The Colours were awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Military Order of Savoy (now in Italy) with the following notation – “Throughout the campaign, they gave countless tests of loyalty, self-sacrifice, heroism, sacrifice that was generous of blood; reaffirming even in Africa its glorious traditions, they gave a valuable contribution to the victory.”

In this Chain of Commmand:Abyssinia army list we detail the mounted forces of the Penne di Falco and Zaptié Carabinieri, showing the specifics of these charismatic African mounted horsemen.

Penne di Falco army list can be downloaded with all other lists here.

 

Chain of Command:Abyssinia – Regio Corpo Truppe Coloniali

 

Like all other European Empires, the use of ‘Ascari’ native forces played a vital role in the policing and defence of imperial outposts. The Italians were no different in this regard and made extensive use of Eritrean and Somali forces which played an important role in the invasions of Ethiopia.

Ranging from the organised battalions of Eritrean Ascaris and their famed Penne di Falco cavalry army, to the Arabo-Somali warriors, near and of the Ogaden desert, the Italians made good use of their colonial subjects.

In this Chain of Commmand:Abyssinia army list we detail the infantry forces of the Regio Corpo Truppe Coloniali  (Royal Corps of Colonial Troops), detailing the specifics of the Eritrean and Somalis that formed the bulk of the Ascari formations. In the next post we shall deal with the army list for the Penne Di Falco.

Regio Corpo Truppe Coloniali army list can be downloaded with all other lists here.