COLUMN AMBUSHED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 285, 1 December 1936, Page 7

COLUMN AMBUSHED.

British Troops' Fight in North-West India.

COURAGEOUS TRIBAL FOEMEN.

NEW DELHI, November 30,

Government communiques describe how British and Indian troops, including a battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment, fought their way for three days through hostile tribesmen during the demonstration march in Waziristan on November 20, when the force was ambushed.

Two columns had been sent from Razmak in consequence of tribal disaffection, not as a punitive force but merely to strengthen the pro-Govern-meiit party in'the face of trouble caused by a firebrand agitator.

The troops had reached the Kliaisora Valley when they were ambushed. The tribesmen, lying* concealed in caves and scrub, harried them incessantly. Young tribesmen, however, exposed themselves freely and were successfully engaged on several occasions, when they suffered considerably.

The courage of the enemy in such country made the task of the troops difficult and casualties were inevitable.

The troops continued to advance with gallantry and determination, and eventually marched to Mirali, the enemy's activities culminating in attacKs on the rearguard which- were held off by Air Force bombing, artillery and machine-guns.

Two British officers, one British private and 14 Indian soldiers were killed and 79 soldiers, nine of them British, were wounded.