The Story of the Malakand Field ForceIn his first book, the renowned statesman and historian chronicles an 1897 British military campaign on the Northwest Frontier, in the vicinity of modern Pakistan and Afghanistan. Churchill served as a correspondent and cavalry officer in the conflict, and his incisive reportage reflects the energy and vision that re-emerged in his leadership during World War II. At the time of the clash, Churchill was serving as a subaltern in the 4th Hussars. Weary of regimental life, the young soldier drew upon family connections to find a place among the brigades headed for the frontier. There he participated in his first combat in the Mamund Valley, where British troops suppressed a revolt among the region's Pathan tribes. Churchill's series of letters to the London Daily Telegraph formed the basis for this book, which he declared "the most noteworthy act of my life," reflecting "the chances of my possible success in the world." A century later, the towering historical figure's account of military action in this still-volatile region remains powerfully relevant. |
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11th Bengal Lancers 24th Punjaub Infantry 2nd Brigade 31st Punjaub Infantry 35th Sikhs 38th Dogras 3rd Brigade action Afghan arms arrived attack Bajaur Battalion began Brigadier-General Brigadier-General jeffreys British Buffs bullets Bunerwals Captain carried casualties cavalry Chakdara Chitral Colonel command defence despatch difficult enemy enemy’s field fight fighting fire fired firing first frontier garrison Government ground Guides Cavalry Guides Infantry guns hills horses Inàyat Kila India Lieut.-Colonel Lieutenant loss Major Malakand Field Force Malakand Pass Mamund Màmund Valley Martini-Henry Meiklejohn miles military Mohmands Mountain Battery mules Mullah native Nawagai night north camp numbers o’clock officers operations ordered Panjkora Pass Pathan Peshawar political realise regiment relief retired ridge rifles road rocks Royal West Kent Sappers Sappers and Miners Sepoys shot side Sir Bindon Blood soldiers sowars spur squadron Swat Valley sword tion tribes tribesmen troops Umra Khan Utman Khels village Watelai yards