Battle of Amba Alagi (1895)

The Battle of Amba Alagi was the first in a series of battles between the Italian General Baratieri and Ethiopia's Emperor Menelik during the First Italo-Ethiopian War. Amba Alagi was one of Baratieri's forward positions; it was under the command of Major Toselli with 2,000 Eritrean Askari. On 7 December 1895, the Ras Makonnen, Ras Welle Betul and Ras Mengesha Yohannes commanded an assault of Menelik's vanguard that annihilated the Italians and killed Major Toselli.

Battle of Amba Alagi
Part of the First Italo-Ethiopian War
Ras Makonnen leading his troops to victory
Date 7 December 1895 Location Amba Alagi, Ethiopia Result Ethiopian victory
Belligerents
Italy	Ethiopia
Commanders and leaders
Oreste Baratieri	Makonnen Welle Betul Mangesha Yohannes
Strength
2,350 Eritrean Askari and Italians	30,000
Casualties and losses
1,300 Eritrean Askari; 20 Italians	Unknown

However, the defeat at Amba Alagi did have a silver lining for Baratieri. Prime Minister Crispi's shocked cabinet agreed to advance another 20 million lire (£80,000) to ensure that a disaster could be stopped.[1]

References

1. Thomas Pakenham, The Scramble for Africa, (London: Abacus, 1992) p. 477