BRITISH TROOPS ENGAGED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21954, 1 December 1936, Page 11

BRITISH TROOPS ENGAGED

Demonstration March On Indian Frontier HOSTILE TRIBESMEN (united tress association—copyright.) (Received November 30, 9.35 p.m.) NEW DELHI, November 29. 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 a demonstration march beginning on November 26. The tribesmen were lying concealed- in caves and scrub and harried the troops incessantly. Young tribesmen, however, showed 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, were held off by Air Force bombing, artillery, and machine guns. [According to a message from New Delhi on November 27. tribesmen ambushed a British column which was sent to Waziristan, in the north-west frontier province, because of tribal disaffection. Two British officers, one British private, and 14 Indian soldiers were killed, and 79 soldiers, of whom nine were British, were wounded. The column, which came from Razmak, was ambushed in the Khaisora Valley. Its mission was to strengthen the proGovernment party and to expel a firebrand agitator. No punitive measures were intended. The attack was unexpected. but the tribesmen were driven off with the assistance of aircraft.! ,