Smoothbore Battery


Following the recapture of the six smoothbore ML guns (four 6 pdrs and two 12 pdrs) from the mutineers at Girishk, insufficient horses for the ammunition wagons could be found. It was therefore decided to burn the wagons and dump most of the smoothbore ammunition in the Helmand river leaving only 52 rounds per gun. In the event this decision had repercussions at Maiwand when these guns were taken out of action to replenish with ammunition. This unsettled the infantry at a critical stage.


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by Stephen Luscombe