'Dreghundari Frontier Constabulary Post. Convoy with armoured car escort about to enter tribal territory', 1937

Panorama consisting of two photographs, India, North West Frontier, 1937.

At least five Crossley armoured cars providing protection to a convoy of trucks or tenders formed up at Dreghundari, near the Tochi River, now in Pakistan. The fortified frontier post can be seen in the left hand photograph. The Frontier Constabulary was formed by the British in 1915 from combining the Border Military Police and the Samana Rifles. It was tasked with providing security on the border between the North West Frontier Province and the tribal areas to the north.

In late 1936 there was growing agitation against British rule in Waziristan, led by the Waziri leader Ghazi Mirzali Khan Wazir, 'the Fakir of Ipi'. In response the British launched a military operation into the Khaisora Valley, hoping that a show of strength alone would suffice to reduce unrest. However, the two main columns of troops met stiff resistance and their supply lines were disrupted, forcing them to retire. The operation's failure triggered a wider insurrection and the ensuing guerrilla war drew in more British and Indian forces. Over 30,000 troops, together with aircraft and armoured cars, were deployed to the region. Violence subsided in late 1937 and after brief flare-ups in 1938 and 1939 the North West Frontier was relatively quiet until India became independent in 1947.

From an album of 347 photographs compiled by Captain (later Major) Wynne Howes-Roberts, 1st Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles, India and UK, 1936-1937.