Battle of Bagh (1919)

Last updated
Battle of Bagh (1919)
Part of Third Anglo-Afghan War
DateMay 1919
Location
Result Afghan victory
Territorial
changes
Afghanistan captures the town of Bagh [1]
Belligerents
Flag of Afghanistan (1919-1921).svg  Afghanistan Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
British Raj Red Ensign.svg India
Commanders and leaders
Flag of Afghanistan (1919-1921).svg Amanullah Khan
Flag of Afghanistan (1919-1921).svg Mir Zaman Khan
Flag of Afghanistan (1919-1921).svg Nadir Khan
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg GEN. Andrew Skeen
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg GEN. George Crocker
Units involved

The Battle of Bagh was fought between British and Afghan forces in British India's Northwest Frontier during the Third Anglo-Afghan War. On 3 May 1919, British troops suffered a setback in the northern theatre when Afghan forces captured the town of Bagh in Landi Kotal. Despite efforts to reinforce and launch a counterattack, the British failed to recapture Bagh on 9 May 1919. The attack, led by Brigadier-General George Crocker, involved the 1/15th Sikhs and the 1/11th Gurkha Rifles, but the majority of the brigade was held in covering positions and unable to support the advance effectively. As a result, the attack stalled, and the British forces had to dig in short of their objective. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Aftermath

The British regained the Tangi Springs, restoring water to Landi Kotal. In Peshawar, a planned uprising by Ghulam Haidar was thwarted by British Indian police, leading to Haidar and 22 rebels surrendering.

At Landi Kotal, General Fowler took command on 9 May. With 2 Infantry Brigade arriving on 10 May, Fowler launched an attack on 11 May, driving Afghan forces to retreat towards Loe Dakka. The retreating Afghans were bombed by 31 Squadron aircraft. British casualties were eight killed and 31 wounded, while Afghan losses were about 100 killed and 300 wounded. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Macro, Paul (2019). Action at Badama Post: the Third Afghan War ; 1919. Oxford Philadelphia: Casemate. ISBN   978-1-61200-760-1.
  2. Roy, Kaushik (29 November 2020). Frontiers, Insurgencies and Counter-Insurgencies in South Asia. Taylor & Francis. ISBN   978-1000084238.
  3. Bhasin, Vijay Kumar (1984). Soviet Intervention in Afghanistan: Its Background and Implications.
  4. Das, Chand N. (1997). Hours of Glory: Famous Battles of the Indian Army, 1801-1971. Vision Books. ISBN   8170940699.