2nd Battalion Egyptian Army, help required !

[Vanuatu Blue]

Hi Folks, (2nd Battalion, Egyptian Army).

Can anyone please help with details of where they were and what they did during WWI.

Many thanks in advance for any assistance.

Brian.

[centurion]

Are you referring to the Egyptian Army (which was the national army of Egypt and took no direct part in WW1) or to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force which was essentially a British force made up of many regiments who had 2nd battalions?

[HERITAGE PLUS]

According to "The Dictionary of the First World War" by Pope and Wheal, "The Egyptian Army was a largely native home-defence force. In 1914 it comprised 17 battalions of infantry (8 Sudanese and 9 Egyptian), 3 companies of mounted infantry, a Camel Corps, support services and various local militia groups. Organized, expanded and equipped by the British during the prewar years, and led by British officers … Although a few field artillery units participated voluntarily in the defence of the Suez Canal in early 1915, the Egyptian Army … was primarily employed to maintain order in the troubled Sudan. Most of its equipment was obsolete British stock, although some modern Lee-Enfield rifles were available by the end of the war.

Source: http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=279165

[Gareth Davies]

VB

I don't have my notes with me and an not going to rely on C.E.L. but I don't think that there were very many 2nd Bns of any Regiment in Egypt. Ones that spring to mind include 2nd Garrison Bns of the Cheshires, Kings and RWF, the 2nd North Lancs, and I think the 2nd West Indians.

[centurion]

Up to the outbreak of WW1 a "legal fiction" was observed that Egypt was still part of the Ottoman Empire but that the British were administering it on behalf of the Sultan (how kind of them!) With the outbreak of war this fiction became unbelievable fantasy and the British government declared that Egypt was now independent but continued to administer it. The loyalties of the Egyptian army were regarded as uncertain especially in regard of conflict with the Ottoman Army and it was generally deemed inexpedient to put them to the test.

[Vanuatu Blue]

Thanks guys for your input.

Heritage plus, yes there were as far as I understand 8 Egyptian Battalions 1-8 and 9-17 were Sudanese. also I think were based at the suez Canal and in defence of it, (were awarded WWI medals for this) what else, any ideas ??? I have a 1914-15 trio correctly named to a MULAZIM TANI (2nd Lieutenant) 2-BN. E.A.

Cheers, Brian.