The soldiers fighting in Mehmed Ali’s army deserted when they were given the slightest opportunity. They fled from the camps71 and during marches. They escaped from military hospitals, from military ships, from military schools, and from military establishments. Not only soldiers, but NCOs also fled. More significantly the guards themselves fled78 and the elite regiments, the Guardia Regiments, that were created to catch deserters, among other things, were rampant with desertion themselves.

Builds on: "Ibrahim reconsidered universal conscription to preserve experienced soldiers."

Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed…, loc. 1344