CAMPAIGNS IN WAZIRISTAN The Wazirs are Pathans speaking Pushtoo. Consequently, they have a very close racial and linguistic affinity with the adjacent Afghan population. The country, moreover, lies midway between the Khyber and Bolan Passes and has thus remained outside the orbit of the chief campaigns that have been fought on the north west frontier. In addition, it had never been subjected to the administration of the Government of India.
There is no need to recount in detail the course of the earlier expeditions into Waziristan. In 186o, after some stiff little actions a column of all arms occupied Kaniguram and Makin, the centres of population in Mahsud country. Again, in 1879, the Mahsuds were subjected to an economic "blockade." In 1893 a well conducted expedition under Sir W. Lockhart overran Waziristan. In 1896 Wana was occupied at the request of the Wazirs them selves. In 1900 a second blockade of the Mahsuds was initiated, but dragged on for over a year until several columns had devas tated the most fertile of the Mahsud valleys. In 1917 a brief ex pedition penetrated up the R. Shahur and effected a temporary submission of the Mahsuds.
The close of the World War was followed in May, 1919, by the outbreak of the Third Afghan War. For some time past Wazirs and Mahsuds alike, excited by Afghan propaganda, had been growing bolder in their brigandage. The climax came when the evacuation of the military posts maintained in the Tochi and Gumal Valleys was effected. Both these trade routes had past been guarded by fortified posts garrisoned by native forces known as the Northern and Southern Waziristan Militia respectively. These forces, composed of tribesmen under British officers, with few exceptions deserted early in 1919, and thereby provided their Mahsud compatriots with an invaluable stock of rifles and am munition; while, more serious still, they formed a nucleus of skilled leaders for the lashkars. However, in December, 1919, an expeditionary force was under the command of Major-General S. H. Climo, C.B. The total of this force amounted to no less than 30,00o combatants, figures later augmented.
On Nov. 9 the first move was made up the Tochi Valley, where, on the 17th, General Climo received unconditional surrender of the Tochi Wazir tribes at a ceremonial jirga held at Datta Khel.
This result enabled the striking force to be transferred south wards to deal with the Mahsuds. It was now decided to move the striking force to the Tank Zam valley and to advance in one column by that route to Kaniguram and Makin in the heart of the Mahsud country. The force was completely assembled at Jandola on the Tank Zam by December 13, whereupon a be ginning was made to piquet the valley on either flank by "crown ing the heights" with small fortified works.
On Dec. 17 the Mahsuds made a fierce and somewhat treacher ous onslaught on the advanced troops of the striking force, or "Derajat column," under cover of a parley. They were driven back and the column moved next day. An attempt to seize Man danna Hill, made on the 19th, failed. A second attempt, on the 20th, conducted by stronger forces as well as supported by aircraft, met with negligible resistance ; the occupation of the ridge was complete. Leaving 1 oo men to complete the forti fication of a detached post on the hill, the troops returned to camp. No sooner had they withdrawn than a fierce Mahsud at tack swept away the remaining detachment, and the hill was lost again. A similar attempt to seize Tarakai or Black Hill on the 22nd eventually succeeded, but not before some savage Mahsud attacks had nearly brought about another similar defeat. The Mahsud losses, occasioned by some close quarter fighting and ar tillery fire, proved very heavy for this class of warfare. Tarakai was held as the enemy retired.
On the 25th Mandanna Hill was occupied afresh and perma nently. An advance of 4 miles was made to Kotkai where the column remained until Jan. 7, preparing to force a precipitous defile known as the Ahnai Tangi. A first attempt was made on the 7th. Owing to the short hours of daylight, the operation was abandoned. A second attempt, on the 9th, met with no better result. Once more, on the Toth, a third attempt failed. In view of this situation, now daily growing more unsatisfactory, General Skeen ordered a night march for the small hours of the nth. This bold decision, unusual in mountain warfare, was justified by the result. On the 14th the entire column passed through the defile.