180 dead were found around the zareba, and the enemy's loss was estimated at 500.
The danger of rushing machine guns up to the front while still mounted is shown in an incident that occurred on June 17th during a successful attack on the Mullah's villages near Feriddin. During the reconnaissance the mounted corps became somewhat heavily engaged, and Colonel Swayne sent forward the reserve company and the Maxims to bring fire to bear from a commanding spur about two miles to the front. On reaching the spur they came under a heavy fire, and the Maxim camels and some ponies were shot down. The Somalis, however, were able to disentangle the Maxims from the dead camels and bring them into action on commanding ground.[A] Colonel Swayne, in his official report, said: "Mekometers were badly wanted for the Maxims. . . . The Maxims had a trick of jamming at critical moments, but were quickly set right again. The fault may have been due to the belts."
When the Maxim gun jams without a breakage of the mechanism, the fault is usually want of experience on the part of the gunner.
During the third expedition the machine guns were increased to eleven and were carried by porters with the infantry.
The disaster to Colonel Plunkett's force at Gumburu on April 17th was due to ammunition running short. The force, consisting of about 200 men with two machine guns, was attacked
