Dubats
Encyclopedia
Dubats was the designation given to armed irregular bands
employed by the Italian Regio Corpo Truppe Coloniali ("Royal Corps of Colonial Troops" or "Italian Colonial Army") in Italian Somaliland
from 1924 to 1941. The word dubats was derived from a Somali
phrase meaning "white turban
s".
that were employed in Italian military service. First raised in July 1924 by Colonel Bechi, they mainly served as light infantry and developed a reputation as effective fighters.
The soldiers were concentrated along the British Somaliland
, Ethiopia
and East Africa Protectorate
frontiers. Camel mounted detachments (recul) were also employed for patrol work.
-like garment. They also wrapped smaller futa or turbans (dub) around their heads, which were assiduously maintained. The term dubat (literally "white turban") ultimately derives from this usage. The Somali non-commissioned officer
s were distinguished by green, red or black lanyard
s and tassel
s, according to rank. During 1935-36, a khaki version of this attire, including a saharianna tunic
, was adopted for service wear.
Commissioned officers
of the Dubats were all Italian. They were usually seconded from the six regular Arab-Somali battalions of the Royal Corps of Colonial Troops, recruited in the territories of present-day Somalia
and Yemen
.
In terms of weaponry, Dubats were armed with Mannlicher M1895 rifle
s. They also carried curved traditional Somali dagger
s (billao
).
, where the Sultan
Yusuf Ali Kenadid ruled over his Sultanate of Hobyo
, and Migiurtinia (1923–27), where Boqor Osman Mahamud ruled the Majeerteen Sultanate. During late 1927, Dubats were used to raid across the border into Ethiopia, where clan militiamen from Migiurtinia had regrouped in Gorrahei. The use of Dubat irregulars enabled the Italians to avoid diplomatic complications with Ethiopia.
The four original bands were increased to ten during the early stages of the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. On 5 December 1934, a clash occurred between a detachment of Dubats occupying the Walwal oasis in the Ogaden
, and Ethiopian troops escorting a border commission. This incident provided the pretext for the subsequent Second Italian-Abyssinian War. Nearly 20,000 Dubats and other irregulars served with the Italian forces during the 1936 conquest of Ethiopia
With the occupation of Ethiopia, the Dubats were re-deployed in the Ogaden Desert and along the frontiers of French
and British Somaliland. They saw ongoing action against Ethiopian guerrillas in Hararghe
.
On the eve of Italy's entry into World War II, the Dubats underwent reorganisation, becoming more closely integrated with the regular Somali units of the Royal Corps of Colonial Troops. The 1st Dubat Group subsequently served as part of General De Simone
's Column during the successful Italian invasion of British Somaliland
in August 1940. Dubats participated in the attack on the British colony of Kenya
and the conquest of Moyale
.
During the East African Campaign of 1941, the Dubats served with the Pietro Gazzera
army group. Following the British military occupation of Italian Somaliland in 1941, the Dubats were disbanded.
Bands (Italian Army irregulars)
Bande was in Italian military terminology the name used to designate irregular forces, composed normally of foreigners or colonial natives, with some Italian officers and NCOs in command. These units were employed by the Italian Army as auxiliaries to the regular national and colonial military...
employed by the Italian Regio Corpo Truppe Coloniali ("Royal Corps of Colonial Troops" or "Italian Colonial Army") in Italian Somaliland
Italian Somaliland
Italian Somaliland , also known as Italian Somalia, was a colony of the Kingdom of Italy from the 1880s until 1936 in the region of modern-day Somalia. Ruled in the 19th century by the Somali Sultanate of Hobyo and the Majeerteen Sultanate, the territory was later acquired by Italy through various...
from 1924 to 1941. The word dubats was derived from a Somali
Somali language
The Somali language is a member of the East Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. Its nearest relatives are Afar and Oromo. Somali is the best documented of the Cushitic languages, with academic studies beginning before 1900....
phrase meaning "white turban
Turban
In English, Turban refers to several types of headwear popularly worn in the Middle East, North Africa, Punjab, Jamaica and Southwest Asia. A commonly used synonym is Pagri, the Indian word for turban.-Styles:...
s".
Origin and duties
Dubats were local soldiers from Italian SomalilandItalian Somaliland
Italian Somaliland , also known as Italian Somalia, was a colony of the Kingdom of Italy from the 1880s until 1936 in the region of modern-day Somalia. Ruled in the 19th century by the Somali Sultanate of Hobyo and the Majeerteen Sultanate, the territory was later acquired by Italy through various...
that were employed in Italian military service. First raised in July 1924 by Colonel Bechi, they mainly served as light infantry and developed a reputation as effective fighters.
The soldiers were concentrated along the British Somaliland
British Somaliland
British Somaliland was a British protectorate in the northern part of present-day Somalia. For much of its existence, British Somaliland was bordered by French Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Italian Somaliland. From 1940 to 1941, it was occupied by the Italians and was part of Italian East Africa...
, Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
and East Africa Protectorate
East Africa Protectorate
East Africa Protectorate was an area of East Africa occupying roughly the same terrain as present-day Kenya from the Indian Ocean inland to Uganda and the Great Rift Valley...
frontiers. Camel mounted detachments (recul) were also employed for patrol work.
Attire, weaponry and ranks
From their establishment, Dubats wore the white futa, a traditional Somali sarongSarong
A sarong or sarung is a large tube or length of fabric, often wrapped around the waist and worn as a kilt by men and as a skirt by women throughout much of South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and on many Pacific islands. The fabric most often has woven plaid or...
-like garment. They also wrapped smaller futa or turbans (dub) around their heads, which were assiduously maintained. The term dubat (literally "white turban") ultimately derives from this usage. The Somali non-commissioned officer
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
s were distinguished by green, red or black lanyard
Lanyard
A lanyard is a rope or cord exclusively worn around the neck or wrist to carry something. Usually it is used where there is a risk of losing the object or to ensure it is visible at all times. Aboard a ship, it may refer to a piece of rigging used to secure objects...
s and tassel
Tassel
A tassel is a finishing feature in fabric decoration. It is a universal ornament that is seen in varying versions in many cultures around the globe.-Etymology:...
s, according to rank. During 1935-36, a khaki version of this attire, including a saharianna tunic
Tunic
A tunic is any of several types of clothing for the body, of various lengths reaching from the shoulders to somewhere between the hips and the ankles...
, was adopted for service wear.
Commissioned officers
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
of the Dubats were all Italian. They were usually seconded from the six regular Arab-Somali battalions of the Royal Corps of Colonial Troops, recruited in the territories of present-day Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
and Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
.
In terms of weaponry, Dubats were armed with Mannlicher M1895 rifle
Steyr-Mannlicher M1895
The Steyr-Mannlicher M1895 rifle is a bolt-action rifle, designed by Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher that used a refined version of his revolutionary straight-pull action. It was nicknamed the "Ruck-Zuck" by Landsers...
s. They also carried curved traditional Somali dagger
Dagger
A dagger is a fighting knife with a sharp point designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. The design dates to human prehistory, and daggers have been used throughout human experience to the modern day in close combat confrontations...
s (billao
Billao
A billao , also known as a belawa, is a horn-hilted Somali shortsword or dagger. It served most notably as a prominent close-quarters weapon in the Dervish State.-Features:...
).
Campaigns
During 1925-27, three thousand Dubats saw service in the Campaign of the Sultanates, involving the occupation of the autonomous regions of ObbiaHobyo
Hobyo is an ancient harbor city in the Mudug region of Somalia. Hobyo literally means "here, water", and the plentiful fresh water to be had from the wells in and around the town has been the driving force behind Hobyo's ancient status as a favorite port-of-call for sailors.-Establishment:Hobyo's...
, where the Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
Yusuf Ali Kenadid ruled over his Sultanate of Hobyo
Sultanate of Hobyo
The Sultanate of Hobyo was a 19th century Somali ruling house in present-day northern Somalia. It was carved out of the former Majeerteen Sultanate by Yusuf Ali Kenadid, cousin of the Majeerteen Sultanate's ruler, Boqor Osman Mahamuud....
, and Migiurtinia (1923–27), where Boqor Osman Mahamud ruled the Majeerteen Sultanate. During late 1927, Dubats were used to raid across the border into Ethiopia, where clan militiamen from Migiurtinia had regrouped in Gorrahei. The use of Dubat irregulars enabled the Italians to avoid diplomatic complications with Ethiopia.
Ogaden
Ogaden is the name of a territory comprising the southeastern portion of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. The inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Somali and Muslim. The title "Somali Galbeed", which means "Western Somalia," is often preferred by Somali irredentists.The region, which is...
, and Ethiopian troops escorting a border commission. This incident provided the pretext for the subsequent Second Italian-Abyssinian War. Nearly 20,000 Dubats and other irregulars served with the Italian forces during the 1936 conquest of Ethiopia
With the occupation of Ethiopia, the Dubats were re-deployed in the Ogaden Desert and along the frontiers of French
French Somaliland
French Somaliland was a French colony in the Horn of Africa. Established after the French signed various treaties between 1883 and 1887 with the then ruling Somali Sultans, the colony lasted from 1896 until 1946, when it became an overseas territory of France....
and British Somaliland. They saw ongoing action against Ethiopian guerrillas in Hararghe
Hararghe
Hararghe was a province in the eastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital in Harar. Including Ethiopia's part of the Ogaden, Haraghe was bounded on the south by Sidamo, southwest by Arsi, west by Shewa, northwest by Wollo, northeast by French Somaliland, and on the east by Somalia.Hararghe came...
.
On the eve of Italy's entry into World War II, the Dubats underwent reorganisation, becoming more closely integrated with the regular Somali units of the Royal Corps of Colonial Troops. The 1st Dubat Group subsequently served as part of General De Simone
Carlo De Simone
Carlo De Simone was an officer in the Italian Army during World War II.During most of the East African Campaign, Lieutenant-General De Simone commanded Italian forces in southern Italian Somaliland. However, during the Italian invasion of British Somaliland, De Simone commanded General Guglielmo...
's Column during the successful Italian invasion of British Somaliland
Italian conquest of British Somaliland
The Italian conquest of British Somaliland was a military campaign in the Horn of Africa, which took place in August 1940 between forces of Italy and those of Great Britain and its Commonwealth...
in August 1940. Dubats participated in the attack on the British colony of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
and the conquest of Moyale
Moyale
Moyale is a market town on the border of Ethiopia and Kenya, which is split between the two countries: the larger portion is in Ethiopia , and the smaller is in Kenya . There are four disputed locations within the Moyale district between the Somali and Oromo regions...
.
During the East African Campaign of 1941, the Dubats served with the Pietro Gazzera
Pietro Gazzera
Pietro Gazzera was an officer in the Italian Royal Army during World War II, as well as a prewar Italian politician....
army group. Following the British military occupation of Italian Somaliland in 1941, the Dubats were disbanded.
See also
- Bands (Italian Army irregulars)Bands (Italian Army irregulars)Bande was in Italian military terminology the name used to designate irregular forces, composed normally of foreigners or colonial natives, with some Italian officers and NCOs in command. These units were employed by the Italian Army as auxiliaries to the regular national and colonial military...
- ZaptiéZaptiéZaptié was the designation given to locally raised gendarmerie units in the Italian colonies of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, Eritrea and Italian Somaliland between 1889 and 1942....
- Italian EmpireItalian EmpireThe Italian Empire was created after the Kingdom of Italy joined other European powers in establishing colonies overseas during the "scramble for Africa". Modern Italy as a unified state only existed from 1861. By this time France, Spain, Portugal, Britain, and the Netherlands, had already carved...
- Amedeo GuilletAmedeo GuilletAmedeo Guillet was an officer of the Italian Army. He was born in Piacenza. Descended from a noble family from Piedmont and Capua, he graduated from the Academy of Infantry and Cavalry of Modena in 1930 and began his career in the Italian Army. Dying at the age of 101, he was one of the last men...