Eritrean Ascari - Performance in Battle

Performance in Battle

The Eritrean Ascari were considered the best of Italy's colonial soldiers, with a reputation similar to that of the Gurkhas in the British Empire forces.

Notable events in the history of Italy's Eritrean Ascaris included:

  1. Battle of Agordat - (Mahdist War)
  2. Battle of Kassala - (Mahdist War)
  3. Battle of Coatit - (First Ethiopian War)
  4. About six thousand Eritrean Ascaris, serving in both infantry and artillery units, were present at the Battle of Adwa were they fought against 120,000 Ethiopians on 1 March 1896. Of these, 2,000 ascari were killed and 800 were captured and mutilated by having their right hands and left feet amputated by the victorious Ethiopians, who considered them as traitors.
  5. In the Italian conquest of Ethiopia (1935–1936) the veteran Eritrean Ascaris, with their high morale and aggressive spirit, played a key role, often taking the lead during attacks. About 60,000 Eritreans served in both regular ascari units and in irregular bands. Nearly 5,000 Eritrean Ascaris were killed in this war.
  6. During World War II a number of Eritrean Ascari were awarded the Gold Medal for Military Honor at both the Battle of Cheren and at the Amba Alagi. Some of the remaining Ascari fought with lieutenant Amedeo Guillet in his Italian guerrilla against the Allies after the Italian Army surrender in Gondar in November 1941.

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