Somaliland Camel Corps
A former British colonial auxiliary force that operated as a camel-mounted and later partly mechanized unit in British Somaliland from 1914 to 1944.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Somaliland Camel Corps was a British colonial auxiliary military unit raised in the British Somaliland Protectorate in 1914. It recruited primarily from local Somali communities and was designed to use the mobility, endurance, and regional familiarity associated with Somali camel handlers in a difficult semi-arid environment. Although its name emphasizes mounted warfare, the unit’s role changed over time: it operated as a camel-mounted force, performed constabulary and frontier-security duties, adopted infantry functions in several companies, and became a mechanized regiment in 1942. The corps emerged from earlier British efforts to organize local security forces, including the Somali Camel Constabulary. Its creation followed the continuing Dervish resistance led by Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, whom British colonial authorities called the “Mad Mullah.” The conflict had begun before the corps was formally established and continued through a series of British expeditions. In 1913, the predecessor camel constabulary suffered a severe defeat at Dul Madoba, where 57 of its 110 personnel were killed or wounded, including its commander, Colonel Richard Corfield. The defeat underscored the need for a more capable and better-organized formation. The Somaliland Camel Corps participated in the final British campaign against the Dervish movement in 1919–1920. A combined offensive involving British and colonial ground forces, the Royal Air Force, the Somaliland Police, and Indian and African troops defeated the Dervish forces and occupied their principal stronghold. During the interwar period, the corps was reorganized as a protectorate-defense and internal-security force. By the late 1930s, it had several hundred Somali personnel, British officers, and African reservists. Its responsibilities included frontier patrols, protection of communications and water supplies, and preparation for possible external attack. At the start of the Second World War, the corps had fourteen British officers, one British non-commissioned officer, and 554 non-European other ranks. It was organized into headquarters and four companies, although only “A” Company retained camels; the other companies functioned as infantry. Concern about the protectorate’s vulnerability led to plans for partial mechanization and additional defensive works, but these improvements were incomplete when Italy invaded British Somaliland in August 1940. During the Italian conquest, the corps conducted screening and delaying actions before withdrawing toward stronger defensive positions at Tug Argan. In the Battle of Tug Argan, Captain Eric Charles Twelves Wilson, an officer attached from the East Surrey Regiment, received the Victoria Cross for maintaining a machine-gun position despite wounds, malaria, and repeated damage to his weapons. British forces evacuated Berbera on 17 August 1940, and most of the corps was disbanded during the withdrawal. British forces returned to the protectorate in March 1941, and the corps was re-established soon afterward. It recovered to approximately 80 percent of its former strength and subsequently assisted with policing, the capture of isolated Italian personnel, and security operations. In 1942 it became a mechanized regiment. Members of the corps also captured and interned the crew of the German submarine U-852 after the damaged vessel’s survivors came ashore in April 1944. The unit was disbanded in 1944 following a series of mutinies and was succeeded by the Somaliland Scouts. It left a historical legacy as one of the best-known military formations associated with British Somaliland, combining local Somali manpower and knowledge with British command structures and colonial military organization. Its distinctive dress, which combined khaki drill with a woollen pullover, shoulder patches, shorts, puttees, sandals or boots, and locally associated headgear, has also made it recognizable in accounts of British colonial forces.
History
British involvement in northern Somaliland began with treaties concluded with Somali sultans in the late nineteenth century, leading to the establishment of the British Somaliland Protectorate in 1888. Colonial authorities sought locally recruited forces that could operate across the protectorate’s arid terrain. An early result was the Somali Camel Constabulary, which drew on the established relationship between Somali communities and camel husbandry. The Dervish rebellion became the central security challenge. Warfare involving the Dervish movement and colonial powers continued from 1900 to 1920. On 9 August 1913, the camel constabulary was defeated at Dul Madoba by forces associated with Ibraahin Xoorane and Axmed Aarey. The unit lost 57 of its 110 personnel through death or wounds, and its commander, Colonel Richard Corfield, was killed. The defeat contributed to the decision to establish a more substantial and formally organized force. On 12 March 1914, Britain began creating the Somaliland Camel Corps. The corps was intended to maintain order, patrol the protectorate, and support expeditions against the Dervish forces led by Mohammed Abdullah Hassan. Four major expeditions failed to capture Hassan, although the corps developed a reputation for mobility; one reported movement covered approximately 150 miles in 72 hours. Its strength eventually reached about 700 riders. The final expedition began in November 1919. In 1920, the Somaliland Camel Corps participated in a combined offensive involving the Royal Air Force’s Z Force, the Somaliland Police, the 2nd Nyasaland Battalion, the 6th British Somaliland Battalion of the King’s African Rifles, and an Indian battalion. The campaign defeated the Dervish army and occupied its capital, ending the major phase of the rebellion. During the interwar years the corps was reorganized to improve its ability to defend the protectorate. In 1930, Colonel Arthur Reginald Chater of the Royal Marines became its commander, and the formation was reduced to approximately 500 troopers. In the late 1930s it received funds for pillboxes and reserve water tanks. Following the financial crisis of 1931, its establishment was reported as fourteen British officers, 400 Somali askaris, and 150 African reservists. In September 1939, the corps comprised fourteen British officers, one British non-commissioned officer, and 554 non-European other ranks. Its headquarters was at Laferug, with “A” Company at Hargeisa, “B” Company at Tug Argan, “C” Company at Burao, and “D” Company at Tug Argan with two platoons at Sheekh. Only “A” Company retained camels; the other companies had become infantry units. Field Marshal Archibald Wavell considered the force inadequately equipped for the defense of an entire colony. Partial mechanization and additional defensive construction were planned, but the improvements were incomplete when Italy entered the East African Campaign. In August 1940, reinforced by a Northern Rhodesian Regiment battalion, the corps formed part of the force defending British Somaliland. It skirmished with and screened the Italian advance before withdrawing to the Tug Argan position. During the Battle of Tug Argan from 11 to 15 August, Captain Eric Charles Twelves Wilson used a machine gun to help defend Observation Hill. Despite wounds, malaria, and the destruction of several weapons, he remained at his position and received the Victoria Cross. British forces evacuated Berbera on 17 August, and most of the corps was disbanded during the withdrawal. The British returned to the protectorate on 16 March 1941. The corps was re-founded soon afterward and reached roughly 80 percent of its former strength by April. Its renewed duties included rounding up isolated Italian personnel and policing against banditry. In 1942 it was converted into a mechanized regiment. In April 1944, members of the corps captured the crew of the damaged German submarine U-852 after they came ashore. The unit was nevertheless disbanded later in 1944 after several mutinies. Its successor was the Somaliland Scouts. The corps’ uniform combined British khaki drill with features suited to local conditions and established military practice. Troopers wore shorts, woollen socks with puttees, and chaplis, boots, or sometimes bare feet. Other distinctive elements included a knitted pullover, shoulder drill patches, a leather ammunition bandolier, a leather waist belt, and a kullah with a puggree. Officers generally wore pith helmets and khaki drill uniforms.
- 1944
Disbandment
[1]After several mutinies, the corps was disbanded and succeeded by the Somaliland Scouts.
- 1942
Mechanized conversion
[1]The corps became a mechanized regiment, marking its transition away from its original camel-mounted organization.
- 1941
Re-founded after British return
[1]The corps was re-established after British forces returned to the protectorate and resumed policing and security duties.
- 1940
Defense and evacuation of British Somaliland
[1]The corps fought delaying actions and participated in the defense of Tug Argan before the British evacuation of Berbera during the Italian invasion.
- 1939
Wartime establishment recorded
[1]At the outbreak of war, the corps had 14 British officers, one British non-commissioned officer, and 554 non-European other ranks, organized into headquarters and four companies.
- 1930
Interwar reorganization
[1]The corps was reorganized under Colonel Arthur Reginald Chater with a reduced establishment of about 500 troopers.
- 1920
Final Dervish campaign
[1]The corps supported the combined land and air offensive that defeated the Dervish army and occupied its capital.
- 1914
Corps formed
[1]Britain began raising the Somaliland Camel Corps as a protectorate security and expeditionary unit.
- 1913
Defeat at Dul Madoba
[1]The predecessor Somali Camel Constabulary suffered a major defeat, losing 57 personnel killed or wounded out of 110 and its commander, Colonel Richard Corfield.
- 1888
British Somaliland Protectorate established
[1]After treaties with Somali sultans, Britain established the protectorate in northern Somaliland, creating the colonial setting in which local auxiliary forces were organized.
Products and positioning
A locally recruited British colonial auxiliary force specializing in frontier security, mobile patrols, internal order, and defense of British Somaliland; initially camel-mounted and later partly mechanized.
Marketing campaigns
- 1940East African Campaign and defense of British Somaliland
British Somaliland Protectorate
The corps screened the Italian advance, reinforced the defense of Tug Argan, and helped delay the invasion before British forces withdrew from Berbera.
Outcome. Italy conquered British Somaliland temporarily; Britain returned in March 1941.
- 1920Final Somaliland Expedition
British Somaliland Protectorate
The corps joined a combined British and colonial force supported by the Royal Air Force, Somaliland Police, African troops, and an Indian battalion in the final offensive against the Dervish army.
Outcome. The Dervish army was defeated and its capital occupied.
- 1900Dervish War
British Somaliland Protectorate
The corps’ predecessor and, from 1914, the Somaliland Camel Corps operated during the prolonged British campaign against the Dervish movement. The unit performed patrol, reconnaissance, escort, and expeditionary duties in difficult terrain.
Outcome. The conflict ended with the defeat of the Dervish forces in the 1920 British offensive.
Brand decisions
1944
Disbandment and succession by Somaliland ScoutsOtherBackground
Several mutinies occurred after the corps had resumed service during the Second World War.
Action taken
The British disbanded the Somaliland Camel Corps and replaced it with the Somaliland Scouts.
Aftermath
The original corps ceased to exist as an active unit in 1944.
1942
Conversion to a mechanized regimentGeneration changeBackground
The changing requirements of Second World War operations reduced the suitability of a primarily camel-mounted formation.
Action taken
The corps was reorganized as a mechanized regiment.
Aftermath
The conversion represented the final operational transformation of the unit before its disbandment in 1944.
1940
Partial mechanization and defensive expansionStrategyBackground
British commanders considered the corps too lightly equipped to defend the entire protectorate against a modern military threat.
Action taken
Plans were made to mechanize part of the unit and construct pillboxes and reserve water tanks, although funding and time limited completion before the Italian invasion.
Aftermath
The corps fought during the invasion with only partial modernization and was largely disbanded after the evacuation.
Recent events
- 1944
Crew of U-852 captured after submarine was damaged[1]
Other
After Royal Air Force aircraft damaged the German submarine U-852, the submarine’s captain and 52 crew members came ashore and were captured and interned by members of the corps.
- 1944
Somaliland Camel Corps disbanded[1]
Other
The corps was disbanded after a series of mutinies and succeeded by the Somaliland Scouts.
- 1942
Corps becomes a mechanized regiment[1]
Product generation
The unit’s operational form changed from a primarily camel-based force to a mechanized regiment.
- 1941
Somaliland Camel Corps re-founded after British return[1]
Leadership change
After British forces returned to the protectorate, the corps was re-established and resumed policing and security duties.
- 1940
Italian invasion of British Somaliland[1]
Other
The corps screened the Italian advance, fought during the defense of Tug Argan, and withdrew when British forces evacuated Berbera.
- 1930
Somaliland Camel Corps reorganized for protectorate defense[1]
Other
The corps was placed under Colonel Arthur Reginald Chater and maintained a reduced establishment of approximately 500 troopers.
- 1920
Dervish forces defeated in final Somaliland expedition[1]
Other
The corps supported a combined British, African, Indian, police, and Royal Air Force offensive that defeated the Dervish army and occupied its main stronghold.
- 1914
Somaliland Camel Corps established[1]
Leadership change
The British began forming the Somaliland Camel Corps to maintain order and provide a more capable mobile force in the protectorate.
- 1913
Somaliland Camel Constabulary defeated at Dul Madoba[1]
Other
The predecessor camel constabulary suffered a major defeat at Dul Madoba during the Dervish conflict. Colonel Richard Corfield was killed and 57 members of the 110-man unit were killed or wounded.
Sources1 sources
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