Wana, 1919 (c)

Photograph by Randolph Bezzant Holmes (1888-1973), India, North West Frontier, 1919 (c).

The cantonment on Wana Plain was the headquarters for the regular British and Indian forces in South Waziristan, as well as the base for the South Waziristan Militia. During the 3rd Afghan War (1919), the Militia mutinied and its British commander, Major Guy Hamilton Russell and 300 loyal men had to fight their way to safety from Wana to Fort Sandeman via Mir Ali Khel between 26-30 May 1919. During their epic retreat they sustained 40 men killed and wounded. Of the eight British officers, five were killed and two (including Russell) were wounded.

From an album of 42 photographs from the series 'With the Derajat Column in Waziristan', 1919-1920. The photographs were collected by Colonel G H Russell of the South Waziristan Scouts.