OPERATIONS IN INDIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17216, 19 January 1918, Page 8

OPERATIONS IN INDIA

GUARDING THE- FRONTIER.

A supplement to the Ixmdon Gazette contains a despatch from General Sir Charles Monro, Commander-in-chief in India, on the minor military operations undertaken in the Indian Einpiro, including- Aden, between March 10, 1916, and March 31, 1917. These are divided into seven groups: Aden, South Persia, Slouth-cast Persia, Mekran Mission, Thalawan, North-west Frontier, and Protection of the Indian Coasts.

Perhaps tho most troublesome of the various military operations were thoso on the North-west Frontier. Except on the Mohmand border, where the attitude of the tribes necessitated tho mobilisation of the Peshawar and a portion of the 2nd Division, and the attack on Sarwekai by tho Mahsuds in Maxell, 1917, tho activity of troops on the frontier was confined to dealing- with trans-border raids. These, however, especially on tho Derajat border, were almost, incessant, and entailed considerable activity on tho troops guarding the frontier. During the last half of 1916 the attitude of some of the Mohmand tribes became distinctly hostjle, and a number of raids were made \icross the border into the Peshawar area. To prevent these raids, and as a. punishment, a blockade was instituted along the Mohmand border, and a chain of blockhouses, connected by a wire fence, was constructed and manned. On Novomber 14 a Mohhand Jashkar, estimated at 6COO, concentrated near Hafiz Ivor, threatening Shangkadar. The Ist and 2nd Infantry Brigades of the Ist Peshawar Division, under the command of Major-general Sir F. Campbell. K.C.8., D.5.0., with a proportion of divisional troops and detachments of Frontier Militia and Constabulary had meanwhile been concentrated on the blockade line. Owing- to the difficulty of supplies it seemed unlikely that tho lashkar could remain long in its position, and it appeared 1 probable that a night attack would be made on some part of the blockade line, after which tho lashkar would disperse without punishment. Major-general Campbell accordingly issued orders for an attack on the morning of November 15. The attack was carried forward into the foothills occupied by the enemy in tho vicinity of Hafiz Kor. and casualties estimated at, ICO killed and severely wounded were inflicted. At 4 p.m. our force withdrew unopposed. Tho lashkar hnd been completely broken up, and on November 16 reconnaissances showed 'that, it had completely disappeared, tho tribesmen having dispersed, to their homes. On March 2. 1917. a Mahsud gathering of some 2000 men advanced on the post, of Sarwekai. in South Wazirista.n. A ixirt of the garrison of the past, composed of militia, under the command of Major F. L. Hughes, moved out and engaged the enemy. A skirmish ensued, in which several casualties were inflicted on both sides, our losses including Major Hughes, killed while gallantly leading his men, and the militia withdrew to the post, which the enemy surrounded. Tbo Derajat movable column, under the command of Briga-dier-general G. M. Baldwin. D.5.0., moved forward bv the Gomal route and Khajuri Kach. and relieved Sarwekai on March 9. the enomy withdrawing to tho vicinity of Barwand. The enemy encampments at Bnrwaml' were burnt and the tribesmen dispersed. .The movable column was then withdrawn to Khajuri Kach, jyjd later to Tank.