FRONTIER FIGHT. ZAKHA KHELS DEFEATED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 46, 24 February 1908, Page 7

FRONTIER FIGHT. ZAKHA KHELS DEFEATED.

A FINE OFFICER KILLED. BRITISH DELIVER A FLANK ATTACK. By TeJeffraph.— Presa Association.— Copyright. CALCUTTA, 23rd February. Columns under Brigatlier-Generals Anderson and Barrat-t attacked the Zakha KhelS on Friday. Tho enemy were posted behind strong sangare on high hills around Halwa, seven miles from Chind. The positions were carried, and the towers below destroyed. Major Douglas Forbes-Sempill, of tho Seaforth Highlanders, was killed. General Sir James Willcocks, in command of the expedition, says that Major Forbes-Sempill was one of the best offtceTs in the service. He was killed while gallantly leading ono of His Majesty's finest battalions. Two Indian' non-commissioned oificers and eight Sepoys weri wounded. They are doing well. General Wilkodcs attributes the smallriess of the loss under rhountain warfare conditions in part to the peace training of the troops. Brigadier-General Bdrratt, by a frontal attack, seized the hills, while the Seaforth Highlanders entered the Bazar Valley. Brigadier-General Anderson simultaneously march&d by another valley, And debouclied over the Khotal, delivering a flank attack. Tho ertemy, being reinforced, clung near the flanks of the retiring Britishers, but made no impression. Major the Hon. Douglas Forbes-Sem-pill, D.5.0., was a son of the late Baron Sempill. Born in 1865, he entered the army in 1885. became captain in 1894, adjutant in 1899, and Major in 1903. He served in the Hazara expedition in IS9I (medal with clasp), was with the Chitral relief force in 1895 (medal with clasp), and in South Africa in 1899 and 1900 (mentioned in despatches three times, Queen's medal ivith five clasps, King's medal with two clasps, and D.5.0.). Brigadiers Andor3on and Barratt, who command columns under General Willcocks, havo both seen a good deal of service. ' The former was lit the Afridi expedition of 1877-78, Ihe Afghan war, tho Burmah expedition, and the Northwest frontier lighting. General Barratt nas fought in the Soudan, the Zhob Valley, Waziristan, East Africa, Zanzibar, China, on the North-west fiontier of India, and other placos.