WARRING NORTH-WEST FRONTIER

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 117, 11 February 1936, Page 8

WARRING NORTH-WEST FRONTIER

Life at the Khyber Pass

WILD CHIEFS WITH RADIO SETS AND CARS

Adventure on the north-west frontier of India outrivalling imaginative fiction because it is true has been only the day’s work of a typical British officer of the Indian Army who arrived at Wellington by the Wanganella. He is Major R. R. B. Falcon, who, after almost 22 years’ service in India, is now on the half-pay list and intends to settle in New Zealand.

Major Falcon, in an interview with “The Dominion” yesterday, rather reluctantly talked of some experiences he had met with during a military life full of incident and frequently of danger. He has served in various parts of India and has participated in frontier engagements with the untameable Pathan tribesmen who periodically descend from their mountain strongholds to plunder and pillage in what is termed the independent territory. Two years ago, after being stationed elsewhere in India, Major Falcon went back to the Khyber Pass to serve with the Ist Battalion, sth Mahratta Light Infantry. Since then two wars have occurred, as has been reported in the cablegrams. “One of the wars was in the Khyber Pass area,” said Major Falcon, “and it arose through a misunderstanding over a road. The tribesmen first agreed to the construction of this road, then objected. They fired on the road-builders, and that meant a bit of fighting. We had to deal firmly with the Pathans, but in the meantime the road work was stopped. When it starts again there is bound to be more fighting.”

In these simple sentences Major Falcon described what he admitted had been a worrying business for the British authorities, and one that had meant loss of life on both sides before the tribesmen had been subdued. Troublesome Haji. “Another show we had was the work of the Haji of Turangzai,” said Major Falcon. “He is a gentleman who has given us a great deal of trouble. He broke up a road that was being built and was harbouring some outlaws whom we wanted. Besides these he was giving sanctuary to a native who had murdered th© small child of some missionaries. It was decided that the Haji and his people must be punished, so three brigades—ls,ooo troops, of whom a fourth were British —were sent against .the tribesmen. Much of our operations was carried out by night,' for we were subject to continual sniping from the rocky hillsides in daylight. It was dangerous work because' the tribesmen are aggressive. The Guides—a famous regiment—had a whole company ambushed. Their British and Indian officers and men showed great bravery, fulfilling the highest traditions of the service. One officer, for his gallant part in a terrible situation, was posthumously awarded the V.C.” i ’ The Haji of Turangzai, added Major Falcon, had now promised to.behave himself, and he would doubtless keep his word —for the moment. Long acquaintance with the wild hill tribes of the frontier made it clear that these tribes could not be cured of the passion for a fight. They admitted that they had no “grouch” against the military or the British nation. Many had served with the Indian army and they admired and respected the late: King George. This explained a cablegram after the death of the King saying that, as a mark of respect to his memory, tribesmen of the frontier had called a day’s truce during an inter-tribal skirmish. These strange people respected justice, strength and bravery, but they had no regard for human life. Their days were given up to fighting, which was a pastime with them and which they thoroughly enjoyed. Bombing of Villages.

"Now and then,” said Major Falcon, “you may read in your newspapers of the bombing of frontier villages by Royal Air Force aeroplanes. I would like to put that right Before a raid is undertaken the tribesmen are first warned in order that they may get their women and children to shelter. The. Air Force then bombs the mud houses and buildings generally, destroying the villages as a punishment for predatory 'raids and killings. It is nonsense to say there is cruelty toward these people. The Air Force work is chiefly reconnaissance duty over, territory that I think will always be turbulent. British troops are stationed on the frontier to maintain roads, railways and communications generally.” This is the third occasion on which Major Falcon has visited New Zealand. His people arrived in the Dominion in 1924, and his children were born in Auckland. He was here in 1926-27 on leave and again in 1932. During a holiday at Waiheke Island he witnessed water-divining activities. Regarding it as “rot,” he tried it, but learned that he also could find water by this means. On his return to India be turned the art to useful account. The Khyber Pass water supply was causing the military some concern, and he was able to find springs in the hills which produced an abundant flow. He also taught some of the tribesmen to divine water. It was amusing to watch his pupils going about the business with twigs their bands and rifles slung over their shoulders. In addition to providing an adequate water supply for the Khyber Pass, he found water at Agra, Poona and near Benares, all new springs which were ultimately tapped and used. Notwithstanding their savage instincts and primitive environment, the Pathans took readily to motor-cars, he 'said. Many villages owned a motorbus, even though it might be tied up with string, with a wild native at the wheel. As Mohammedans they were not superstitious and did not mistrust modern inventions. Most chiefs of the hill country owned a wireless set, with which their people listened-in to a Government radio station at Peshawar (pronounced Peshower). A Patban announcer broadcast educational talks in their own language, Pushtu, on “the principles of hygiene and that sort of thing.” _________