A 225 mile railway through the Nubian desert that proved crucial in General Kitchener's conquest of Sudan. Join my member's channel to get access to exclusive videos and special perks: null Get My FREE Weekly Newsletter https://www.thehistorychap.com/ The Desert Railway was one of the most ambitious engineering constructions undertaken during a war by the Victorian British Army. Overseen by a Canadian Royal Engineer, Percy Girouard, using thousands of local labourers who had never even seen a railway before, the 200 mile route dramatically reduced the time needed to bring troops and supplies to Kitchener’s army advancing into Sudan to avenge the death of Charles Gordon in Khartoum 10 years previously. The railway still connects the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, to Egypt, to this day. However, before it could be completed, Kitchener had to capture the town of Abu Hamad on the River Nile. In a lightening advance, Sudanese troops serving Kitchener advanced 146 miles in 8 days. Under the command of hector MacDonald, a crofter’s son who had risen from the ranks, they completed the last 36 miles in just 35 hours to take the `mahdist garrison by surprise. Shocked by MacDonald’s arrival they fled the town and a month later the railway was completed. With the railway bringing fresh troops and supplies to his army, Kitchener was in a position to deliver his final blow and advance on the Mahdi’s successor at Omdurman. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:22 Summary 1:39 Mahdist Revolt 2:39 The Scramble For Africa 3:43 British Interest In Sudan 5:51 Dongola Expedition 8:08 Fears About The French 8:46 Abu Hamad 10:19 The Desert Railway 11:29 Percy Girouand 13:44 Cecil Rhodes 15:01 Hector MacDonald 16:19 Sudan Military Railway 17:42 Battle of Atbara Sources used to produce this video included: "Khartoum" - Michael Asher "The Scramble For Africa" - Thomas Packenham "Queen Victoria's Little Wars" - Byron Farwell "The River War" - Winston Churchill Dictionary of Canadian Biography British Battles.com Follow me at: www.thehistorychap.com Instagram:https://bit.ly/3iySrAj Facebook:https://bit.ly/37IUfkH null My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today. History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens. So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life. My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!" Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham. Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.