Bazar Valley campaign

The Bazar Valley campaign of 1908^[2] was a punitive expedition against the Zakka Khel clan of the Afridi, a Pakhtun tribe inhabiting the mountains on the Peshawar border of the North West Frontier province of British India.^[3]

It was undertaken by the Bazar Valley Field Force, under the command of General Sir James Willcocks. The campaign began on 12 February 1908, and was concluded by a jirga and peace in March 1908. The satirical magazine Punch characterised the campaign as Willcocks’ Weekend War.^[4] The main British Army elements were the Seaforth Highlanders and the 37th Lancers. Regiments of the British Indian Army included sections of the 45th and 53rd Sikhs, the Madras Sappers and 5 Gorkha Rifles. Archibald Percival, 1st Earl Wavell took part in this campaign as a junior officer.^[5]

The recovery of a fine and the disarmament of the section.

The capture and trial of the ringleaders and those implicated in the recent raids.

The construction of a road which would in the future contain this section and prevent their escape into the inaccessible regions to which they now resort. The road would be maintained on lines similar to those prevailing with regard to the Khaibar, so far as they are applicable.

The actual offenders in the recent raids and their supporters, if captured, would be dealt with by suitable tribunals locally assembled.

Conflict[edit]

Opening moves (12–16 February)[edit]

Colonel Roos-Keppel was placed in command of the flying column, which was to advance from Landi Kotal. The wing of the 2nd 5th Gurkhas left Jamrud on the evening of 12 February en route for Landi Kotal. On the 13th, the posts of Khaibar Rifles. the Khaibar Rifles, as far as Ali Musjid, were taken over by the 25th Punjabis from the 3rd Reserve Brigade and two squadrons of the 19th Lancers from the Divisional Troops. Colonel S. Biddulphwas placed in command of the Line of Communications. The Khaibar Rifles on being relieved marched to Landi Kotal. at which place on the evening of the 14th, the flying column was assembled and ready for the move into the Bazar Valley. At 4:00 a.m. on the 15th, Colonel Roos-Keppel left Landi Kotal with his force and by 9-15 A. M. reached the crest of the Bazar Pass without meeting with any opposition. From the Bazar Pass the force continued its march south, and arrived at China the same evening. China was found to be unoccupied and the towers and enclosures of the village gave shelter from the fire of the snipers who, as usual, opened fire as soon as it was dark. One is said to have been killed and another wounded during the night.^[1]

The main column under General Willcocks left Peshawar on the morning of 13 February and halted that night at Jamrud. On the following day Ali Musjid was reached. On the 15th the field force left Lala China and entered the Bazar Valley by the Ohura Pass. At daybreak the 2nd Brigade with certain additional troops advanced, simultaneously with the movement of the "flying column" by the Bazar Pass. General Willcocks accompanied this column. Three days’ rations were carried on the person by all ranks. An echelon 1st Line Transport and detachments of No. 1 British and No. 103 Native Field Hospital only were taken. The remainder of the 2nd Brigade Baggage and supply columns marched in rear of the 1st Brigade, which followed the 2nd Brigade. The 59th Rifles from the 1st Brigade were left at Ali Musjid.