River transport, 1919 (c)

Photograph, 3rd Afghan War, 1919 (c).

During the 3rd Afghan War (1919), flat-bottomed and shallow-draft paddle steamers were used to move troops and supplies in those parts of Baluchistan, Punjab, Sind and the North West Frontier province where the major rivers were navigable. The Indus in particular was a vital transport artery; as it had been in two previous British incursions into Afghanistan in 1839 and 1879.

One of 267 photographs probably compiled by Private A E Neal, 2/6 Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment, India 1916-1919, Waziristan, 1917 and Afghanistan, 1919.