Omdurman, Mahdist rule in the Sudan was at an end. From 1899 to 1956, Gallabat was located in what was known as the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. In July 1940 during the East African Campaign, Italian forces advancing from Italian East Africa forced a small British garrison commanded by Wilfred Thesiger to withdraw from Gallabat to the pass at Khor el Otrub. The Italians then occupied the town until November when the British under Brigadier Slim launched an attack to take the town back, but due to poor morale of the Essex Regiment and lack of coordination by the British bombers, failed to capture Metemma. In 1956 the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan became the independent Republic of the Sudan. In 1991 British television presenter Michael Palin travelled through Gallabat on his way to Gonder for the television show Pole to Pole. References Populated places in Al Qadarif (state) Villages in Sudan History of Sudan Ethiopia–Sudan border crossings