History of Pakistan Army.

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Pipers of the 40ᵗʰ Pathans.

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"Smoky Eyes" shared photos of his grandfather, Colonel MIAN KHAN TPK M.C with a brief life sketch of him.

Colonel MIAN KHAN TPK M.C was a brave officer who withstood the onslaught of the GERMAN ARMY AT THE FIRST BATTLE OF EL ALAMEIN IN 1942 and saved the British empire in Africa.
He was awarded the prestigious MILITARY CROSS by his Majesty.
Later after the creation of Pakistan, he joined the Pakistan army and again fought on the Kashmir frontier in 1948. He left this worldly abode in 1964.

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An Aerial View Of Attock Fort & River Indus, Taken By Royal Air Force, Attock, Punjab, 1930's (c).

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"Niazi Pathans, troopers of Jacob's horse, preparing for sword drill. They still retain the curved swords in the use of which the fighting men of their race have been trained for generations"
Source - Daily Newspaper, November 1914.

 

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The Sherwood Foresters "Nottinghamshire And Derbyshire Regiment" 2nd Battalion, At Jamrud, Khyber Pass, 1897 (c).

The battalion parade before Fort Jamrud, Khyber Pass prior to marching to the Tirah. The officers form a line in front of their men. They carry swords and have pistols in holsters on their belts.

The men have Slade-Wallace equipment which is all of white leather stained with tea to make it less visible. The commanding officer was Colonel Edward Cecil Dowse who stands in front of the regiment.

The British force sent into the Tirah was under the command of Sir William Lockhart. The force was very large, containing 12 British battalions and 24 Indian/Gurkha battalions. The 2nd battalion Derbyshires were part of the 1st Division and were commanded by Colonel Dowse. The Dorset and the Northampton battalions suffered from cholera during the journey to the north-west and were confined to camp for 10 days. The Derbyshires fared better, avoiding the outbreak, but they did suffer from sore feet.

Lockhart made it clear to the Orakzai and Afridi tribesmen that he was advancing through their territory and they were not to impede him. He planned an advance over the Chagru Kotal on the 20th October. Sappers tried to improve the road but were harassed by Afridis firing from the Dargai Heights.

They could not be dislodged with artillery so the 2nd division was sent up to clear them on the 18th. This first assault was achieved quickly and the Heights were captured but there was not enough water up there and the position had to be abandoned.

Many questioned the decision to withdraw and were proved right because the tribesmen regained possession of the defences soon afterwards. It was decided to scale the Heights again on the 20th, this time the Derbys were brought in from the 1st Division to help. The Gurkhas were to lead the attack with the Dorsets in support and the Derbys in reserve.

The Gurkhas bravely rushed at the defences but, having suffered 71 casualties, were pinned down. Next, the Dorsets tried to cover the open ground but were cut down. Three companies of the Derbys then made the attempt but they were having to go through a narrow space which was easy for the Afridi marksmen to aim at. During this attack, Lt Pennell won his VC.

A mass of men from all three regiments was hiding behind a ledge and unable to go forward or back. The commander of this action, Major-General Yeatman Biggs ordered a further attempt led by the Gordon Highlanders and the 3rd Sikhs. The rest of the Derbyshire battalion, with Gurkhas, was to be in support, and the Dorsets in reserve.

The attack was to be preceded by an artillery barrage. When this ceased the determined Gordons swept forward taking many casualties but causing great concern amongst the tribesmen. The Derbys and Dorsets, at first, gave covering fire but were so inspired that they joined the attack. The men from the first attack who had been pinned down for hours could hardly believe their luck that their ordeal was soon to end.

The final yards were almost easy as the tribesmen had started to run away. The commander of the Gordons survived the advance and seeing that the Heights were won, ordered Sergeant Cursley of the Derbys to use his signal flag to inform the Divisional commanders that Dargai was cleared. The regiment had lost one officer and 3 men killed, 8 wounded.

 

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Lt. (Later Lt Gen) Bakhtiar Rana, 4th from the left, & then, Lt Anant S Pathania, 2nd from the right in a 'Pathan Pugree' - Vasu Pathania At The Frontier. (Probably the location is Waziristan)
Year: 1935
Courtesy: Talat Rana.

 

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Agit Singh Sodhi (lying on floor), Bakhtiar Rana (later Lt.General), Anant Pathani and Muhammad Mussa (later C-in-C) at Razmak at the end of the Waziristan Campaign.
Year: 1939.
Courtesy: Ehsan Ullah

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A vintage photo of Capt Musa Khan (rear left), 2nd Lts Bakhtiar Rana (right front) and Anant Singh Pathania (Seated below). Musa Khan became CNC of Pakistan Army, Bakhtiar Rana retired as Lt Gen from Pakistan Army and Anant Pathania retired as Maj Gen Indian Army. They all served together in 59th Rifles.
Date: c1936

 

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Indian Pattern Crossley Armoured Cars At Data Khel Fort, Waziristan, North-West Frontier, 1920's (c).

This Image Is Restored And Watermarked By East India Company And Raj Research Group.

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Datta Khel landscape as seen from military base, Tochi Valley, Waziristan, 1898 (c).

 

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Qauid e Azam M A Jinnah's Peshawar visit in Apr 1948.

Meeting officers of Royal 6/13th FFR (59 Scinde/ 1 FF) Murtaza Jan is 1st from Left (Third officer from left is Mian Taskeen ud Din sb. CO Bakhtiar Rana and Lt Gen Nazir can be seen with Qauid. In the foreground is JInnah's ADC)

 

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The 1 SP (Field) Regiment - September 1965.

 

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Railways Were Not Available For All Locations.

Regiments Had To Simply March. Image of 5/13th Frontier Force Rifles, Preceded By Their Band, Marching From Kohat To Bannu in December 1930 Near Surdag, Teri Tehsil Of Kohat (Now District Karak).KPK.

 

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Photograph showing Afridis of the Punjab Frontier Force of the Indian Army in Hampton Court Camp on the occasion of the Coronation of King Edward VII, August 1902,
by Sir Benjamin Stone.
© Victoria and Albert Museum

 

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Loyal foot sepoys of the Raaj, Legacy continues to this day.

 

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Indian Mountain Battery in action in the Khyber Agency, 1930's (c).

This could possibly be the 21st Kohat Mountain Battery (Frontier Force).
The road from Landi Kotal to Torkham can be seen in the right of the picture.
Some soldiers of the 1st Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) can also be seen near the gunners.

 

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Lieutenant Colonel Sir Nawab Aslam Khan Sadozai, The First Muslim Commandant Of The Khyber Rifles. With First Political Agent, Of The First Tribal Agency Khyber, Major (Later) Colonel Sir Robert Warburton, 1881 (c).

The First Commandant Of The Khyber Rifles Was Sir Robert Warburton, Son Of An Anglo-Irish Soldier Robert Warburton Of The Bengal Artillery And His Wife Shah Jehan Begum, An Afghan Princess. Sir Robert Remained The Commandant Until His Retirement In 1899. His Deputy, Colonel Sir Aslam Khan Sadozai, The First Muslim Commandant, Succeeded Him.