Kandahar In 1879: The Diary Of Major Le Messurier

A remarkable diary from the wars of the British Empire of the historic march on Kandahar in 1879.

The Second Anglo-Afghan war 1878-1880 was intended to establish peace and British hegemony to the North-West frontiers of the Indian Empire. After the brutal and disastrous effort of the British to invade during the first war (1842) the Afghans would not be underestimated and remained dangerous on their own territory. The British, quick to realize that another reverse in this country would signal an end to their prestige and influence, organize a relief effort. Formed into three columns, the troops were well prepared and commanded by veteran generals, each setting out to pacify a different area of the country.

Major Augustus Le Messurier was appointed brigade major of the Royal Artillery attached to the Kandahar Field Force, one of the invading columns under the command of Lt.-Gen. D. M. Stewart. The terrain that the Kandahar field force had to cover was among the toughest in the world, and constantly harassed by irregulars, hunger, cold they made Kandahar by dint of superhuman efforts.