The defence of Duffer's Drift

¶ … Defense of Duffer's Drift" by E.D. Swinton. Specifically it will contain a book report of the book. The author, Major General Swinton, was an officer in the British Army. He wrote this discussion of the Boer War in 1905, as a way to teach field tactics. The book tells the story of the then Captain's defense of a drift of land near a river in South Africa, and through a series of "dreams," shows what to look for and how to defend in the field.

In his first dream, Swinton begins by describing the area around the drift, that he is alone with 50 other men, and they could be attacked by the enemy before reinforcements arrive in three or four days. It is his first command assignment. He chooses a defensive position near the drift, has his men set up came, and reconnoiters the area, coming on a Dutch farm loyal to the British. He posts sentries and the camp beds down for the night. At dawn, he awakens to the sound of rifle fire on the camp. The Boers had come upon them, attacked them, killed 10 of the 50 and wounded 21. The Boers took them captive, and Swinton discovers the "loyal" Dutch farmers had alerted the Boers to their presence. This taught Swinton four valuable lessons, including not to put off defense, not to befriend the natives, not to let the sentries show where they are, and not to sleep in tents.

In his next dream, with different men, he immediately begins building a defensive position when he and his men arrive at the Drift. He posts several sentries, does not reconnoiter the area, and will not allow anyone from the area into the camp. He chooses the same defensive position, and has his men begin digging trenches as soon as they arrive. He does meet another Dutchman, but does not allow him in the camp, and he posts sentries, but does not allow them to light a fire or call out, and they are ordered to shoot on sight, and the men sleep in the trenches. At dawn, they are again attacked. The Boers hid in the bushes, and this time, they killed 24 and wounded 6, and Swinton again was forced to surrender, and he learned more lessons, including defending further from the target, do not let bystanders go, and do not let neutrals sit idle while soldiers work.

In the third dream, all the previous occurrences continue. He mounts guards, and sends men to round up all the surrounding farmers and their families. He chooses a new camp, and the detainees help the men dig the trenches. They guard the detainees, put men on watch, and sleep in the trenches. The next morning, they wake up without attack, and see the Boers entering the area, and then approaching a farm, where the women tell them of Swinton's position. The Boers mount an attack with shells, the trenches are not deep enough, and the Boers again gain victory. Swinton learns to gather all the settlers, even women, to dig deeper and narrower trenches.

In the forth dream, Swinton rounds up all the settlers and their animals, digs deeper, narrower trenches, and guard the settlers. At dawn, no attack occurs, and they continue digging the trenches. The enemy comes, eventually attacks from behind, and the men again surrender. Swinton learns not to ignore the rear, and to watch the flanks.