"The Defence of Duffer's Drift" Topic
10 Posts
All members in good standing are free to post here. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the posters, and have not been cleared with nor are they endorsed by The Miniatures Page.
Please remember that some of our members are children, and act appropriately.
For more information, see the TMP FAQ.
Back to the 19th Century Media Message Board
Areas of Interest19th Century
Featured Hobby News Article
Featured Link
Top-Rated Ruleset
Featured Showcase Article
Featured Workbench ArticleMardaddy has an adventure with two Victorian science-fiction vessels.
Featured Profile ArticleOur Man in Southern California, Wyatt the Odd, reports on the Gamex 2005 convention.
Featured Book Review
|
Tango01 | 13 Jan 2016 12:47 p.m. PST |
"Ernest Dunlop Swinton is a military professional with experience in the Boer War who wrote this famous short book based on a series of thoughts he had on how an infantry unit with only 50 men could defend a river crossing. Through the perspective of a young Lieutenant, you are given the terrain features, the political situation, conflict with civilians and limits on your own military support. There is a brief history of the war with the "Dutch" and then your Lieutenant receives his assignment. With the use of maps, there are six scenarios of the Lieutenants approach to defending the crossing (drift). Each scenario is acted out and with each of the first five scenarios there are several lessons learned such as the effect of enfilading fire, the limitations of a simple trench, the use of the military crest versus being located on top of the hill, the effect the local sympathetic population may have on aiding guerrilla fighters, the effect of surprise, disguising your defense from view, proper posting of sentries and responsibilities, how to combat artillery, dealing with multiple directions of attack, using the terrain to advantage and on. As the Lieutenant in each scenario learns from his mistakes, he alters the outcome to his advantage but only incrementally. Only at the end and sixth scenario does he get it right but with realistic loss. The same map is introduced in each scenario with defense features matching the new defensive tactics. "The Defence of Duffer's Drift" is a fascinating book for all interested in basic infantry tactics, which has been used as a training manual for militaries worldwide. This is a very readable book that can be read in less than 2 hours time. Applicable to any war but this book would be interesting to read with an account of Rappahannock Station, which was a spearhead position held by Confederates in advance of Lee's line on November 7, 1863 where Meade's forces overwhelmed the defenders and took almost 3,000 prisoners. Duffer's Drift would be very applicable in that situation."
Free to read here link Amicalement Armand |
Brian Bronson | 13 Jan 2016 12:52 p.m. PST |
I downloaded it from (I think) the Gutenberg project (free pdfs of out of copyright material). Very good read and I think a useful primer. |
Frederick | 13 Jan 2016 1:50 p.m. PST |
I read this a long time ago – great read and an interesting approach, although the "hearts and minds' strategy is that is you have 'em by the short hair, the hearts and minds follow Thanks for posting! |
Ceterman | 13 Jan 2016 5:18 p.m. PST |
I read that back in 1988 or 89. Very cool book. |
Fried Flintstone | 13 Jan 2016 5:32 p.m. PST |
Wasn't it written as a military training book – Sandhurst – or similar? |
jowady | 13 Jan 2016 7:28 p.m. PST |
|
David Hinkley | 13 Jan 2016 8:11 p.m. PST |
I received my copy while attending the Infantry School at Fort Benning in 1975. It was discussed in class. Still have that copy and reread a couple of times since as much for ideas on how to present a scenario as for the tactical lessons. |
mikec260 | 13 Jan 2016 8:12 p.m. PST |
Still, we did it in ROTC in the late 70s. Interesting book. Lt. BF for short. |
chicklewis | 13 Jan 2016 10:43 p.m. PST |
Enjoyed it very much ten years back. Non-linear thinking is never easy for me. |
Tango01 | 14 Jan 2016 10:56 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the guidance boys!. Amicalement Armand |
|