APH 090
APH 090
An interesting collection of 30 photos from early Eritrea, dated between 1900 to 1914. The photographers name was Quinto Rossi and he is based at Saganetti, following the disasterous defeat just 12 years earlier. Shots of road construction by hand, Marine commander S.C. Martini preparing for the assault, Colonial battalions (Note: the first Eritrean battalion was raised in 1888), rare shot of Ramadan festival in Saganeiti in 1907, shots of Saganeiti showing European and native dwellings together, Eritrean and Italian troops seemingly picnicing at Mai Seran in 1905 but there is clear segregation between the two groups, Coptic clergy at Sabderat, Italian fort at Adi Caie, Italians and local at Barasio in 1904, two muslim Eritrean Ascaris mentioned by full name, church art in Digsa, other interesting photos. All photos are described and in most cases dated, on reverse. Some quite faded due to age.
NOTE: The Battle of Saganeiti, was a small clash fought on August 8, 1888 between the troops of Italy and Abyssinian irregulars towards the end of the Italo-Ethiopian War of 1887-1889. The battle resulted in the destruction of Italian attachment that was deployed to Saganeiti. In the Italian army, the skirmish was considered a "massacre" - while most irregular Italian-aligned forces (referred to as basci-buzuk) fled, all Italian officers had been slain. The defeat at Saganeit prompted Italian command to reform their army organization - in October 1888, the first group of askari was formed to replace the basci-buzuk. After Italian forces took Saganeit later in 1888, the local Coptic church in Saganeit was destroyed and a new Catholic one was erected in its place. The battle had a profound impact of Italian strategy in Ethiopia and its approach towards indigenous troops. In early 1888, indigenous troops were hailed by Italian command as fighters that could "run some tens of kilometers without water, food or rest, that they could subsist on only a ‘fistful’ of wheat per day, and that they were responsible for their own provisioning". Italy would steadily increase its dependence on irregular native troops, and send Italian forces back to Europe. The defeat at Segheneyti forced Italy to reconsider its strategy. Italian public initially blamed the defeat on indigenous fighters themselves, with Italian newspapers condemning indigenous troops as disloyal and treacherous. However, Italian commanders argued that "indigenous troops sent to Saganeiti had shown a willingness to fight so long as their Italian officers were still alive". From that point, native troops were reformed to be more organized and better equipped, and went through Italian led training; lastly, more Italian officers were assigned to them.
Price: $450.00
