Early morning of August 1st, 1890. The sun rises over the Malakand Pass, and Captain Carey's Signal Section stationed on the tallest peak thereof...
They spot the FLASHING GLINT from a distant heliograph and receive the following MESSAGE:
EMERGENCY DISPATCH Hazara Field Force
Captain L. Gie, Signal Corps
Village of Serai
BG Channers and his Political Officers taken hostage during Jirga
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Protection force and one signaler killed
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Tower is currently burning
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Pathans falling back
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Captain Carey rapidly relays the message to Brigadier Gnl. Ruff-Husband, Commander of 1st Brigade, Peshawar Field Force, at their Cantonments on the South side of the pass...
The Brigadier quickly consulted with his staff, who double-check their map with Google Sahib and confirmed that the village of Serai did indeed lie 22 miles distant via foot (as opposed to via one of those newfangled Horseless Carriages) from their present position alongside Dargai Village, as seen here...
The Brigadier quickly dictated his reply message, entrusted it to the fastest rider in his Brigade -- Daffadar Ishar Singh of 12th Bengal Cavalry, who rode through the pass at whirlwind speed...
The Daffadar Ishar Singh delivered the message to Capt. Carey...
Who then used the Heliograph to send it to Capt. Gie:
FROM: BGnl Ruff-Husband, Commander 1st Brigade Peshawar Field Force
TO: Officer Currently Commanding Hazara Field Force
My brigade is 1 day's forced march from your position at Serai
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Request you advise rapidly if you require relief
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to quote a famous Admiral " Its a trap"
ReplyDeleteWatch out for the wily Pathan!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
wackmole9 & Iain: Can't pull the khaki wool over either of your eyes! Time will tell, to be tracked on the frontier in sand... lead... and blood.
ReplyDelete