Wargaming Italian Colonial wars 1885-1900 (1): Historical sources and different campaigns

In addition to my Risorgimento Wargaming, I've been lately interested in Italian Colonial Wars in the 1880s and 1890s, which culminated in the (in)famous defeat at Adowa (or Adwa - Adua in Italian) against the Ethiopians. It was a rather short period (less than 20 years) but full of political intrigue, battles and encounters small and large, and therefore it offers lots of wargaming possibilities.

Historical sources

Aside from looking at actual historical sources (chronicles, memories, etc...), the modern wargamer (especially if Italian) can rely on two main books. The first is "Le Guerre Coloniali Italiane 1885-1900" (Italian Colonial Wars 1885-1900), by Raffaele Ruggeri, edited by De Bello. The De Bello series is a sort of Italian-made Osprey-like books, but with more pages and more extensive information - more like a campaign book than a MAA, for example. It's in Italian, but all photos, maps and pictures have both Italian and English captions, and at the end there's an extensive English summary of the main concepts in the book. While premium for Italian-speaking readers, it can give some info to the English-speaking ones too, and is currently the best one regarding actual information on military operations and battles. It has Osprey-level images (by the Author himself) that are very accurate and a large amount of historical pictures. I'm lucky to have it (thanks to my father) but it's currently out of print and can be found only 2nd hand or through specialized bookshops.

De Bello book

Ruggeri is so good that he was asked by Osprey to contribute to their book on Adowa too. The "Armies of the Adowa Campaign 1896" is by Sean McLachlan, but images are again by Ruggeri and his work by De Bello is cited. McLachlan adds more information about the actual place and more details about Adowa battle in particular and about the organizations of the two armies, so in my opinion the two books nicely complement each other.

Osprey book

Personally, I don't own the Osprey book in English, but its translation in Italian by LEG (Libreria Editrice Goriziana) which has a license by Osprey to translate its books in Italian and does a very good job. LEG usually puts an ad-hoc cover but otherwise it's 100% the Osprey book, including the illustrations inside.

Translated Osprey book by LEG

Different campaigns

The whole period can be divided into roughly 3 phases, all of which can provide plenty of both historical and fictional (but plausible) wargaming opportunities. The events described below are just a short summary to give a minimum of context and the years shown for each phase are indicative.

1st phase: 1885-1888

It's the first phase of Italy's colonial adventure. Great Britain, faced with the difficult Mahdi revolt in Sudan and not trusting the Ethiopians on the south, approved Italy's enterprise in and near Massaua (current Eritrea). It would ultimately prove to be a good idea for Great Britain (see second phase below). This phase saw the initial Italian penetration into the region at a time of major divisions between the local tribes and Ras. While nominally under Negus Johannes, the Ethiopians are actually divided. A bad Italian defeat at Dogali by Ras Alula in 1887 saw a decisive response by the Italian government with a major expedition of Italian troops that ultimately saw Negus Johannes negotiate peace in March 1888. Native troops used by Italy are mainly local tribes and bands ("Black Bands" and "Bashi Buzuks") under their own leaders, often unreliable (even changing side in a few occasions).

Wargaming: there are several options for exploring missions and expeditions, and small and large battles against locals and Ethiopians.

2nd phase: 1890-1894

In 1888 most of the Italian troops are sent back to Italy and regular units of Ascari natives (English: Askari) are created. They will prove capable and generally very reliable, with several reports of endurance in combat and loyalty to their Italian officers. They will replace most of the tribal bands of the first phase, even if some groups are still employed. 

During this phase the Ethiopians are mostly involved in internal disputes: Negus Johannes is killed in battle while facing the Sudanese Dervishes, and Menelik starts his rise to power and ultimate establishment of a unified Empire that culminates in him becoming Negus Neghesti in 1889. Due to this and the Treaty of Wuchale of the same year between Italy and Menelik (which also marks the official creation of the Italian colony under the name of "Eritrea"), the Italian colony is able to organize and expand, exploiting the divided local rivals. In 1893 Menelik repudiates the treaty, opening the path to future war. During this phase, however, thanks to an agreement with the British government, Italy faces for the first time the Sudanese Mahdists. From 1890 the Italians win several victories (mainly using Ascari troops, which prove their worth time and again), especially a major one at Kassala in 1894 which is cheered even in London at a time when British forces in the north were still struggling. The Italians used different tactics from the British and the Dervishes were surprised by this. The Dervishes will still occasionally attack the Italians until 1896 at least but less threateningly. Some British scholars argue that the Italian victories in 1894 ultimately drained Mahdist forces and proved to be a key factor in allowing the British to win later on. Italy will eventually give back Kassala (in Sudan) to the British in December 1897, given the costs and difficulty of keeping a garrison there due to its position so far away from the Italian main base in Eritrea.

Wargaming: both Ethiopians and especially Mahdists/Dervishes are possible enemies for Italian (both Europeans and Ascari) troops. Fictional "joint efforts" by Italian and British troops are possible too, if players so desire. Playing the expedition to Kassala could be an usually under-played but interesting topic to explore.

3rd phase: 1895-1896

Starting time could be debatable (first clashes happen in 1894), but anyway it mainly deals with the 1st Italo-Ethiopian War. After the treaty of Wuchale has been repudiated by Menelik in 1893, fights start between Italians and local leaders, and at the end of 1894 Italy starts the conquest of Tigray, with several victories in 1895. Menelik finally calls the Kitet (general muster) in September 1895 and prepares to counterattack against the Italians who receive reinforcements from Italy (mainly unenthusiastic troops). The campaign will culminate with the battle of Adowa in March 1896 and the decisive defeat of the Italians. The later period between 1896 and 1900 is mostly uneventful, due to Menelik being unwilling to crush the Italian colony (which he thought would have caused a renewed, larger invasion, see the British reaction against the Zulus after Ishlandwana) and the peace talks. The war officially ends in October 1896. In the subsequent years Ethiopians concentrate on expanding the Empire to the south while Italians reorganize and deal with local rebellions. The Italian colonial adventure will continue in Somalia shortly after 1900 and Libya in 1911. Italy will conquer Ethiopia only in 1935, but that is another story.

Wargaming: the Adowa campaign is the main theme here, both the big battle and smaller encounters. Several what ifs about Italian troops quality or command, and/or Ethiopian squabbles between various chieftains (ras). Various kinds of side actions (real or fictional) are possible.


Part 2 will deal with possible 1/72 plastic minis that can be used for wargaming and which rules I'll use.