In April 1879, during the lull that followed the opening phase of the Second Afghan War, the village of Kam Dakka, located near the South bank of the Kabul River, 7 miles East of the recently occupied British-occupied fort at Dakka and 14 miles West of Landi Kotal -- the border town that marked the far Western edge of British India at the top of the strategically vital Khyber Pass -- requested support from the British to help resist what they believed would be a coming large-scale raid by Mohmand tribesmen gathering on the North side of the river.
This is the background for the April 1879 battle of Kam Dakka, which -- prior to a few months ago -- I had no idea had been fought. This may seem like not such a big deal, considering how relatively unknown any and all battles of the Second Afghan War of 1878-1880 are in relation to the many famous battles of military history in general or the later 19th century in particular, but as someone with a lifelong interest bordering on obsession with that same war, it kinda' blew my mind! Mostly in a good way, since it meant there was a new scenario for me to recreate on the tabletop. Which I did…
OVERHEAD VIEW of Kam Dakka Valley:
As seen above, in addition to the village whose name it bore, the Kam Dakka Valley was also home to a cemetery and a handful of crop-fields, all of which, together with the village, were sited along the Landi Kotal-to-Dakka road.
At this time the road was a vital link in the Khyber Pass Route (Peshawar to Jalabad to Kabul), one of the three Main Supply Routes for anglo-Indian forces remaining in Afghanistan after the initial victories of the war were won, while the boss-wallahs were working out the final disposition of the Afghan "political situation."
Therefore, in response to the request for aid against the Mohmands, a reconnoitering force consisting of 1 squadron 10th Bengal Lancers, 3 companies Mhairwara Battalion (one of the Anglo-Indian Army's "Local Corps," recruited from the Mer people of Gujarat & Rajasthan), and 2 Royal Artillery guns was dispatched from Dakka Fort, but when they reached the village they found no sign of enemy activity. The residents however were adamant that very large numbers of Mohmands were gathering across the river and begged for the force to remain to help defend them, but with no sign of trouble visible, Major O. Barnes, the commander of Dakka fort who had personally led the reconnoitering force, chose to withdraw back to Dakka, rather than leave the garrison there shorthanded for an extended time.
After returning to Dakka Fort and informing 2nd Division commander, Lt. General Maude at Landi Kotal via telegraph of the intelligence he had received from the residents of Kam Dakka -- on advice of his resident Political Officer, Major E.R. Conolly -- General Maude instructed Major Barnes to despatch 2 companies of the Mhairwaras BACK to Kam Dakka at once, to support the friendly villagers there when and if they found themselves under attack.
So, on 21st of April, 1879, at five o'clock in the evening, 130 men of the Mhairwara Battalion under the command of Captain O'Moore Creagh, taking with them entrenching tools, spare ammunition and rations, left Dakka Fort for the 7 mile trek East to Kam Dakka…
To learn about what happened once Capt. Creagh and his men arrived at the gates of Kam Dakka village, kindly click the link below and visit my humble hobby blog, which has been idle for far too long these past months, and thank you in advance for your time and attention should you choose to do so:
link
Before ending this teaser I will reveal that the sun will set and darkness will fall over Kam Dakka…
And then the sun will rise again…
But then it will shine down not only on Creagh and his Mhairwaras, but a mass of Mohmands too…
For now they're on the far -- North -- side of Kabul River, but Capt. Creagh and his Mhairwaras know…
It's a bloody good bet such will not remain the case for long…
TO BE CONTINUED…
is back from Council of Five Nations.
