In early 1922 the Protectorate authorities announced that they would impose a heavy tax on the people of Burao and initiate a programme of disarmament. This policy was proposed to raise much needed revenues to run the Somaliland Protectorate which was a net drain on Colonial Office coffers. As well to enhance British control in the interior of Somaliland after the Dervish War.[2] As a result, the people of Burao revolted and clashed with the British in opposition to the tax and this led to targeting of British government officials. In the ensuing disturbances a shootout between the British and Burao residents broke out, Captain Allan Gibb, a Somaliland Campaign veteran and district commissioner, was shot and killed after the Camel Corps refused to fire on the rioters.[3]
Reaction of British Authorities
Local British authorities feared they could not contain the revolt and requested then Secretary of State for the ColoniesWinston Churchill, to send reinforcements from Aden. To punish the rebels, planes from the Aden No. 8 Squadron RAF were dispatched and troops were placed on standby.[4] The RAF planes arrived at Burao and within two days and proceeded to bomb the town with incendiaries, effectively eliminating the town.
I deeply regret to inform that during an affray at Burao yesterday between Rer Sugulleh and Akils of other tribes Captain Gibb was shot dead. Having called out Camel corps company to quell the disturbance, he went forward himself with his interpreter, whereupon fire opened on him by some Rer Segulleh riflemen and he was instantly killed..Miscreants then disappeared under the cover of darkness. In order to meet the situation created by the Murder of Gibb, we require two aeroplanes for about fourteen days. I have arranged with resident, Aden, for these. And made formal application, which please confirm. It is proposed they fly via Perim, confining sea crossing to 12 miles. We propose to inflict fine of 2,500 camels on implicated sections, who are practically isolated and demand surrender of man who killed Gibbs. He is known. Fine to be doubled in failure to comply with latter conditions and aeroplanes to be used to bomb stock on grazing grounds.[9]
On 25th February the Governor of Somaliland telegraphed that an affray between tribesmen had taken place at Burao on the previous day, in the course of which Captain Allan Gibb, D.S.O., D.C.M., the District Commissioner at Burao, had been shot dead. Captain Gibb had advanced with his interpreter to quell the disturbance, when fire was opened upon him by some riflemen, and he was instantly killed. The murderers escaped under cover of falling darkness. Captain Gibb was an officer of long and valued service in Somaliland, whose loss I deeply regret. From the information available, his murder does not appear to have been premeditated, but it inevitably had a disturbing effect upon the surrounding tribes, and immediate dispositions of troops became necessary in order to ensure the apprehension and punishment of those responsible for the murder. On 27th February the Governor telegraphed that, in order to meet the situation which had arisen, he required two aeroplanes for purposes of demonstration, and suggested that two aeroplanes from the Royal Air Force Detachment at Aden should fly over to Berber a from Aden. He also telegraphed that in certain circumstances it might become necessary to ask for reinforcements of troops to be sent to the Protectorate.[10]
James Lawrence author of Imperial Rearguard: Wars of Empire writes
[Gibb]..was murdered by rioters during a protest against taxation at Burao. Governor Archer immediately called for aircraft which were at Burao within two days. The inhabitants of the native township were turned out of their houses, and the entire area was razed by a combination of bombing, machine-gun fire and burning.[11]
Aftermath
After the incendiary bombardment and destruction of Burao, the leaders of the rebellion acquiesced, agreeing to pay a fine in livestock for Gibbs death but refused to identify and apprehend the individuals guilty. Most of the men responsible for Gibb's murder would evade capture. In light of the failure to peacefully implement taxation Governor Archer abandoned the policy altogether being a victory for the Somalis in the Protectorate.[12][13][8] Governor Archer would soon be replaced after this blunder and policy in British Somaliland would be revised in light of this resistance.[14]
^Mohamed, Jama (2002). "'The Evils of Locust Bait': Popular Nationalism during the 1945 Anti-Locust Control Rebellion in Colonial Somaliland". Past & Present. 174 (174): 184–216. doi:10.1093/past/174.1.184. ISSN 0031-2746. JSTOR 3600720.
^Millman, Brock (2013-12-04). British Somaliland: An Administrative History, 1920-1960. Routledge. ISBN978-1-317-97543-4.
^Millman, Brock (2013-12-04). British Somaliland: An Administrative History, 1920-1960. Routledge. ISBN978-1-317-97543-4.
^ abCorrespondence between Governor of British Somaliland and Secretary of State for the Colonies. Colonial Office, 26 March 1922.
^Correspondence between Governor of British Somaliland and Secretary of State for the Colonies. Colonial Office, 28th February, 1922
^1922 Commons sitting. HC Deb 14 March 1922 vol 151 cc1953-4
^Imperial Rearguard: Wars of Empire, 1919-1985 pp.168
^British Somaliland: An Administrative History, 1920-1960 pp.110
^Jaques, Tony (2007). Dictionary of battles and sieges P-Z, p.991. ISBN9780313335396.
^Millman, Brock (2013-12-04). British Somaliland: An Administrative History, 1920-1960. Routledge. ISBN978-1-317-97543-4.
January 07, 2023
1922, burao, revolt, 1922, burao, revolt, revolt, waged, habr, yunis, tribesmen, city, burao, early, 1922, against, british, somaliland, authorities, burao, revoltd, bombers, used, somalilanddatefebruary, late, march, 1922locationburao, british, somaliland, so. The 1922 Burao Tax Revolt was a revolt waged by Habr Yunis tribesmen in the city of Burao in early 1922 against British Somaliland authorities 1 Burao Tax RevoltD H 9A bombers used in SomalilandDateFebruary 25 Late March 1922LocationBurao British Somaliland now Somaliland 09 31 40 4 N 45 32 04 2 E 9 527889 N 45 534500 E 9 527889 45 534500 Coordinates 09 31 40 4 N 45 32 04 2 E 9 527889 N 45 534500 E 9 527889 45 534500ResultSomali victory Captain Allan Gibb killed Protectorate Tax Policy abandoned Burao destroyed after Royal Air Force firebombingBelligerentsIsaaq Habr YunisUnited Kingdom British SomalilandCommanders and leadersMadar HersiGovernor Geoffrey Archer Captain Allan Gibb Units involvedSomali warriorsSomaliland Camel CorpsCasualties and lossesUnknown losses after bombardment1 Contents 1 Overview 2 Reaction of British Authorities 3 Aftermath 4 See also 5 ReferencesOverview Edit Captain Allan GibbIn early 1922 the Protectorate authorities announced that they would impose a heavy tax on the people of Burao and initiate a programme of disarmament This policy was proposed to raise much needed revenues to run the Somaliland Protectorate which was a net drain on Colonial Office coffers As well to enhance British control in the interior of Somaliland after the Dervish War 2 As a result the people of Burao revolted and clashed with the British in opposition to the tax and this led to targeting of British government officials In the ensuing disturbances a shootout between the British and Burao residents broke out Captain Allan Gibb a Somaliland Campaign veteran and district commissioner was shot and killed after the Camel Corps refused to fire on the rioters 3 Reaction of British Authorities EditLocal British authorities feared they could not contain the revolt and requested then Secretary of State for the Colonies Winston Churchill to send reinforcements from Aden To punish the rebels planes from the Aden No 8 Squadron RAF were dispatched and troops were placed on standby 4 The RAF planes arrived at Burao and within two days and proceeded to bomb the town with incendiaries effectively eliminating the town 5 6 7 8 Telegram from Sir Geoffrey Archer Governor of British Somaliland to Winston Churchill the Secretary of State for the Colonies I deeply regret to inform that during an affray at Burao yesterday between Rer Sugulleh and Akils of other tribes Captain Gibb was shot dead Having called out Camel corps company to quell the disturbance he went forward himself with his interpreter whereupon fire opened on him by some Rer Segulleh riflemen and he was instantly killed Miscreants then disappeared under the cover of darkness In order to meet the situation created by the Murder of Gibb we require two aeroplanes for about fourteen days I have arranged with resident Aden for these And made formal application which please confirm It is proposed they fly via Perim confining sea crossing to 12 miles We propose to inflict fine of 2 500 camels on implicated sections who are practically isolated and demand surrender of man who killed Gibbs He is known Fine to be doubled in failure to comply with latter conditions and aeroplanes to be used to bomb stock on grazing grounds 9 Winston Churchill reporting on the Burao incident at the House of Commons On 25th February the Governor of Somaliland telegraphed that an affray between tribesmen had taken place at Burao on the previous day in the course of which Captain Allan Gibb D S O D C M the District Commissioner at Burao had been shot dead Captain Gibb had advanced with his interpreter to quell the disturbance when fire was opened upon him by some riflemen and he was instantly killed The murderers escaped under cover of falling darkness Captain Gibb was an officer of long and valued service in Somaliland whose loss I deeply regret From the information available his murder does not appear to have been premeditated but it inevitably had a disturbing effect upon the surrounding tribes and immediate dispositions of troops became necessary in order to ensure the apprehension and punishment of those responsible for the murder On 27th February the Governor telegraphed that in order to meet the situation which had arisen he required two aeroplanes for purposes of demonstration and suggested that two aeroplanes from the Royal Air Force Detachment at Aden should fly over to Berber a from Aden He also telegraphed that in certain circumstances it might become necessary to ask for reinforcements of troops to be sent to the Protectorate 10 James Lawrence author of Imperial Rearguard Wars of Empire writes Gibb was murdered by rioters during a protest against taxation at Burao Governor Archer immediately called for aircraft which were at Burao within two days The inhabitants of the native township were turned out of their houses and the entire area was razed by a combination of bombing machine gun fire and burning 11 Aftermath EditAfter the incendiary bombardment and destruction of Burao the leaders of the rebellion acquiesced agreeing to pay a fine in livestock for Gibbs death but refused to identify and apprehend the individuals guilty Most of the men responsible for Gibb s murder would evade capture In light of the failure to peacefully implement taxation Governor Archer abandoned the policy altogether being a victory for the Somalis in the Protectorate 12 13 8 Governor Archer would soon be replaced after this blunder and policy in British Somaliland would be revised in light of this resistance 14 See also Edit1945 Sheikh Bashir RebellionReferences Edit Mohamed Jama 2002 The Evils of Locust Bait Popular Nationalism during the 1945 Anti Locust Control Rebellion in Colonial Somaliland Past amp Present 174 174 184 216 doi 10 1093 past 174 1 184 ISSN 0031 2746 JSTOR 3600720 Millman Brock 2013 12 04 British Somaliland An Administrative History 1920 1960 Routledge ISBN 978 1 317 97543 4 Millman Brock 2013 12 04 British Somaliland An Administrative History 1920 1960 Routledge ISBN 978 1 317 97543 4 Colonial Office 11 April 1922 The British Empire as a Superpower By Anthony Clayton pp 223 Public Record Office file CO 1069 13 Part 1 by the first officer commanding B Nyasaland Company SCC The King s African Rifles by H Moyse Bartlett a b Correspondence between Governor of British Somaliland and Secretary of State for the Colonies Colonial Office 26 March 1922 Correspondence between Governor of British Somaliland and Secretary of State for the Colonies Colonial Office 28th February 1922 1922 Commons sitting HC Deb 14 March 1922 vol 151 cc1953 4 Imperial Rearguard Wars of Empire 1919 1985 pp 168 British Somaliland An Administrative History 1920 1960 pp 110 Jaques Tony 2007 Dictionary of battles and sieges P Z p 991 ISBN 9780313335396 Millman Brock 2013 12 04 British Somaliland An Administrative History 1920 1960 Routledge ISBN 978 1 317 97543 4 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1922 Burao tax revolt amp oldid 1110974065, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
