battle of gura
The Battle of Gura, also known as the Battle of Adwa, took place on March 1, 1896, near the town of Adwa in present-day Ethiopia. It was a significant conflict between the Ethiopian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy.
The Ethiopian Empire, under the leadership of Emperor Menelik II, faced an invading Italian force led by General Oreste Baratieri. The Italians sought to establish and expand their colonial presence in the Horn of Africa.
The Ethiopian forces were able to successfully defend their homeland and defeat the Italian army. Despite being heavily outnumbered, with an estimated 100,000 Ethiopian troops against 20,000 Italian soldiers, the Ethiopians used their knowledge of the terrain and their skilled cavalry to outmaneuver the Italians.
The battle began early in the morning and lasted throughout the day. The Ethiopian forces strategically positioned themselves on the high ground and launched several coordinated attacks on the Italian positions. They were able to break through the Italian lines, causing a collapse in the Italian front.
The defeat for Italy was devastating. The Italian forces suffered heavy casualties, with around 6,000 soldiers killed and 1,500 captured. On the other hand, the Ethiopians lost approximately 4,000 soldiers in the battle.
The Battle of Gura was a significant blow to Italy's colonial ambitions in Africa. It not only prevented Italy from colonizing Ethiopia but also boosted the morale and confidence of African nations in their fight against European colonization. The battle is considered a symbol of African resistance and a turning point in the history of African liberation movements.
Emperor Menelik II's victory at Gura allowed Ethiopia to maintain its independence and sovereignty, making it the only African country to resist European colonization during the "Scramble for Africa" in the late 19th century.