A Story of War

Did a gasht down to Lower Tambre Obo in lorries. Nothing of note though I fell down the steep Khaisora and skinned my arm. Next day a long gasht up to 78 and 80. There I met the major (Moriarty) in command of the company of Baluchis in Alexandria picquet. He had not seen anybody…

The 3/17 C.O. was stabbed in the arm and Simon was wounded by a bullet. Those were the two British officers wounded. Gasht to Upper Tambre Obo yesterday, by lorry and back. Had a long talk with my Khassadar, one Halim Khan. He says there will be a war round here in the warm weather,…

Intelligence reports that during an action of the 16th in Khaisora, when 1st Brigade were trying to evict some enemy from caves where they were lurking, a very difficult and dangerous job by all accounts, as they have no mortars up there, Lt Beale from 3/17 was killed with ten Indian other ranks, two British…

Went on a gasht yesterday. Sugar loaf, Greenwood’s Corner, Camel Hump, 78, shoulder and home. Quite alot of snow still up there which soaked my feet in my chappies. Rumour seems to have it that we shall return to Razmak about 26th and go out on a column shortly afterwards. The home trooping draft has…

I return to Razani today. Hired a car from Modern Motor Works for 45/-. There is a fellow wanting to go Bannu way, so he buys the contract for RS 5/- so that I might have hired him straight for 40/-. He is a Pathan and a wag. He offers me hard boiled eggs, purchased…

An RIASC captain detained at Razani with his convoy. He gives me a lift to Bannu on a lorry, the remainder knocking off at Mir Ali. It was an open sort of lorry, no wind screen, only a bit of tarpaulin to cover your knees. The rain came in, hit the back of the cab,…

Good gasht today – 7, 74, Gardai and searched ground overlooking Shini Alghad where it joins the Khairsora. There was a Khassadar on 72 with a naik’s stripes who said he could arrange shooting up and down for Shikor and Khargosh, which latter were “so high”, putting his hand to the ground and did this:…

Yesterday I am caught with the “General Alarm” at 1am, and get as far as the M.I. room on my way to the lines, in rubber boots and overcoat, before I realise what a bloody fool I am. On a gasht yesterday. 7 picquet, along 70 ridge, Gardai camp, 72 and home. It is very…

Had a last evening’s dog shoot before coming down here on 3rd. Badly hit one pie behind the abattoir and I blew up another one in Borretts Park, not much game out. James drove us down and we had a look at his well in the Nullah. Yesterday I went on a gasht and it…

I go out dog shooting with the Provost Sergeant. Carey as well, and we shot four pie dogs. Three in the 5/11 Officers lines, which won’t go down too well, as we left the bodies lying there by the side of the path. Whist out on the Jandola road, outside 2 gate, I slip in…