'Damdil Camp on the Razmah road. Scene of battle 29th March', 1937

Photograph, India, North West Frontier, 1937.

From a group of photographs entitled, 'Intelligence - Dosalli'. An additional caption reads, 'Note stone wall protection for the tents. At this time occupied by 1st (Abbotobad) Infantry Bde'.

The caption refers to an action on the Dosalli-Damil road when several hundred tribesmen attacked an advance guard of the 1st (Abbotobad) Infantry Brigade.

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.