Sudan Defence Force

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Sudan Defence Force (SDF) was a Sudanese military unit formed in 1925 during the time of the Anglo-Egyptian co-dominium. The SDF was raised by the British and, in addition to maintaining order in the Sudan, fought in the East African Campaign during World War II.

From 10 June 1940, when Italy declared war on Britain and France, the Sudan Defence Force was on the defensive against attacks into the Sudan from Italian East Africa.

In January 1941, the Sudan Defence Force fought on the "Northern Front" during the British and Commonwealth offensive and took part in the invasion of Eritrea. The SDF contributed machine gun companies, howitzer batteries, and other forces (including some homemade armored cars).

The "Sudan Defence Force" was a generic name for approximately 4,500 regular Sudanese soldiers of the Sudan Camel Corps, Eastern Arab Corps, Western Arab Corps, and Equatorial Corps.^[1] The SDF was expanded to as many as 20,000 men during the course of the campaign in East Africa.

[edit] See also

• East African Campaign (World War II)
• Order of Battle, East African Campaign (World War II)
• History of the Anglo-Egyptian co-dominium
• Bikaner Camel Corps
• Somaliland Camel Corps
• King's African Rifles
• Camel cavalry

[edit] Sources

• Keegan, John (2005). in Dear, I.C.B.; Foot, M.R.D.: Oxford Companion to World War II. Oxford University Press, USA, 1064 pages. ISBN 978-0192806703. 

[edit] References