jainso31
12-12-2010, 14:08
The Battle Of Maiwand (West of Kandahar) on 27th July 1880 was one of the largest battles of the 2nd Anglo-Afghan War of 1878-1881.
Following victories at Ali Masjid,Peiwar Kotal,Kabul and Ahmed Khel; British
forces controlled much of Eastern Afghanistan.Despite these triumphs,the
western province of Herat,ruled by the recently deceased emir's son,Ayub
Khan;remained unconquered.Seeking to drive the British from Kandahar,
Ayub Khan assembled a mixed force of 8500 regular and irregular troops and began marching east.
To deal with this threat ,the British commander,Lt.Gen.Primrose.dispatched a Brigade of British and Indian troops west-3000 combat troops incl. the 66th Foot and 3000 support personnel.Marching to the HELMAND RIVER,the brigade,commanded by Brig. G.Burrows, an inexperienced field commader, moved into a position to support an army sent by,Sher Ali Khan, the Govenor of Kandahar.
Combined, their forces equalled those of Ayub Khan approximately.Problems began shortly after Burrow'sarrival,when much of the Kandahar army mutinied and deserted. Left to face Ayub Khan alone,Burrows began withdrawing,while seeking an opportunity to attack before the enemy reached Kandahar. After receiving reports that Ayub khan was moving towards MAIWAND,Burrows marched to intercept.
Moving quickly,most of the British troops were unable to eat or fill their canteens on the morning of the battle.After spotting Ayub Khan's columns
near Maiwand, Burrows moved out into a plain; and formed battle lines,hoping to catch the Afghans on the march. As Ayub Khan's artillery opened fire,Burrows then decided against attacking and assumed a "defensive posture".Seeing that both of Burrows' flanks were now open to attack;Ayub Khan deliberately arrayed his forces so as to envelop the British line.As his troops marched into position,he brought his superior artillery to bear,hammering the British lines.The British fought bravely back bringing
their Martini-Henry rifles to bear, to decimate the advancing Afghans.
Around mid-day,the Afghans began a series of assaults on the British lines.
The British on their part were fighting desperately,but could not kill fast enough,but kill they did, to the best of their limited capability-they were ,after all in a trap, of their commander's making.After a pause in the fighting, AyubKhan attacked again around 2.30pm.Charging forward,they were able to force Jacob's Rifles, an Indian regiment,ultimately causing the entire British line to collapse.With the situation now completely out of hand,Burrows now ordered a retreat south towards the village of Khik.There,about 100 men of the 66th Foot made a desperate last stand and died to a man.
Following the defeat,Burrows and the survivors fled towards Kandahar,
arriving the next morning.
During this battle the british suffered 1757 dead,and 175 wounded,all of whom,most likely dispatched by the victorious Afghans. This represented
75% of the the combat force-the 66th Foot being all but wiped out.
Ayub Khan's army lost approx.2000 killed and 1500 wounded.an approximation.
The battle Of Maiwand was one of the few occasions in the 19th Century, when an Asian army defeated a Western power.Nemesis overtook Ayub Khan
at the battle of Kandahar on 1st Sept.1880; where he escaped with his life his life but his army was routed.This engagement effectively ended this war.
This conflict itself; resulted in litle change in the geo-political situation in central Asia, and worked to further Afghan mistrust of foreigners!
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jainso31
Following victories at Ali Masjid,Peiwar Kotal,Kabul and Ahmed Khel; British
forces controlled much of Eastern Afghanistan.Despite these triumphs,the
western province of Herat,ruled by the recently deceased emir's son,Ayub
Khan;remained unconquered.Seeking to drive the British from Kandahar,
Ayub Khan assembled a mixed force of 8500 regular and irregular troops and began marching east.
To deal with this threat ,the British commander,Lt.Gen.Primrose.dispatched a Brigade of British and Indian troops west-3000 combat troops incl. the 66th Foot and 3000 support personnel.Marching to the HELMAND RIVER,the brigade,commanded by Brig. G.Burrows, an inexperienced field commader, moved into a position to support an army sent by,Sher Ali Khan, the Govenor of Kandahar.
Combined, their forces equalled those of Ayub Khan approximately.Problems began shortly after Burrow'sarrival,when much of the Kandahar army mutinied and deserted. Left to face Ayub Khan alone,Burrows began withdrawing,while seeking an opportunity to attack before the enemy reached Kandahar. After receiving reports that Ayub khan was moving towards MAIWAND,Burrows marched to intercept.
Moving quickly,most of the British troops were unable to eat or fill their canteens on the morning of the battle.After spotting Ayub Khan's columns
near Maiwand, Burrows moved out into a plain; and formed battle lines,hoping to catch the Afghans on the march. As Ayub Khan's artillery opened fire,Burrows then decided against attacking and assumed a "defensive posture".Seeing that both of Burrows' flanks were now open to attack;Ayub Khan deliberately arrayed his forces so as to envelop the British line.As his troops marched into position,he brought his superior artillery to bear,hammering the British lines.The British fought bravely back bringing
their Martini-Henry rifles to bear, to decimate the advancing Afghans.
Around mid-day,the Afghans began a series of assaults on the British lines.
The British on their part were fighting desperately,but could not kill fast enough,but kill they did, to the best of their limited capability-they were ,after all in a trap, of their commander's making.After a pause in the fighting, AyubKhan attacked again around 2.30pm.Charging forward,they were able to force Jacob's Rifles, an Indian regiment,ultimately causing the entire British line to collapse.With the situation now completely out of hand,Burrows now ordered a retreat south towards the village of Khik.There,about 100 men of the 66th Foot made a desperate last stand and died to a man.
Following the defeat,Burrows and the survivors fled towards Kandahar,
arriving the next morning.
During this battle the british suffered 1757 dead,and 175 wounded,all of whom,most likely dispatched by the victorious Afghans. This represented
75% of the the combat force-the 66th Foot being all but wiped out.
Ayub Khan's army lost approx.2000 killed and 1500 wounded.an approximation.
The battle Of Maiwand was one of the few occasions in the 19th Century, when an Asian army defeated a Western power.Nemesis overtook Ayub Khan
at the battle of Kandahar on 1st Sept.1880; where he escaped with his life his life but his army was routed.This engagement effectively ended this war.
This conflict itself; resulted in litle change in the geo-political situation in central Asia, and worked to further Afghan mistrust of foreigners!
ANOTHER DONKEY AND LIONS STORY
PS Discuss Please
jainso31