Unit/ Formation: Royal Marines
Location: Beirut
Period/ Conflict: Egyptian–Ottoman War
Year: 1840
Date/s: 8 September 1840
The Oriental Crisis of 1840 was an episode in the Egyptian–Ottoman War in the eastern Mediterranean, triggered by the self-declared Khedive of Egypt and Sudan Muhammad Ali Pasha's aims to establish a personal empire in the Ottoman province of Egypt.
At nightfall on 8th September 1840 the Royal Marines of the Fleet, under Lieutenant Colonel Walker, were embarked in the Gorgon (steamer), and 5000 Turkish troops in other steamers. At dawn on the 9th September the Fleet weighed and stood towards Beyrout Point, towards which the Egyptian troops concentrated and came under the fire of the Fleet.
At noon the steamers with the troops were dispatched to D'Jouni Bay, at the other extremity of the Bay, followed as the wind changed by the Castor, Pique, Dido, Wasp, and Powerful. The steamers landed their troops, who :were safely ashore unopposed by 4 pm The heights covering the landing place were occupied by the Turks; one Company of Royal Marines was sent along the beach to the Southward and crossed the Dog River (only passable at its mouth) and reinforced a Turkish company that had landed there: a second Company RM with 300 Turks occupied a convent three or four miles from the main position on a hill covering the road to Baalbec via Antura.
These formed the outposts behind which the Allies established an entrenched camp with 9 British field pieces, three 5.5 inch howitzers and 8 small Turkish guns.
The force consisted of about 1500 Royal Marines, 200 Austrians, 5000 Turks, with a Company of Royal Artillery and some Royal Engineers. The Royal Marines on landing were formed into two Battalions of 8 Companies each, commanded respectively by Lieutenant Colonel Walker and Captain C Fegan. Reinforcements arrived from England shortly afterwards with orders that Lieutenant Colonel Walker was to command the Brigade, and Captains Whylock and Leonard the Battalions.
The troops were occupied for some days in strengthening the position at D'Jounie, which was in communication with the Mountaineers of the Lebanon; there were also two roads from Baalbec to Antura which were held by two Turkish Battalions and 5 Companies of Royal Marines.
Image: HMS Gorgon
Reated Royal Marines 'Dits':
References/ Further Reading:
Read More/ Web Link: History of the Royal Marines - 1837-1914 - HE Blumberg
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