Second Hand The Defence of Duffer’s Drift

A classic military text by E. D. Swinton, The Defence of Duffer’s Drift presents a series of tactical lessons through the fictional experiences of Lieutenant Backsight Forethought. Tasked with defending a river crossing during the Boer War, the officer repeatedly attempts to hold Duffer’s Drift, learning from each failure until the principles of effective field defence become clear.

Concise, memorable and highly influential, the book uses narrative rather than dry instruction to explore reconnaissance, positioning, entrenchment, concealment, sentry placement, the use of local terrain and the practical command decisions required of junior officers. Its lessons on small-unit tactics and fieldcraft made it a long-standing military training classic.

This Leo Cooper hardback reprint presents the text in an attractive illustrated edition, including maps and period-style illustrations. A compact but important work, suitable for readers interested in the Boer War, British Army training, field tactics, military education and the development of modern tactical thinking.