The Defence of Bowler Bridge A Study in Minor Tactics

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The Defence of Bowler Bridge A Study in Minor Tactics

By H.E. Graham

London
William Clowes and Sons, Ltd.
Axtell House, Warwick Street,
Regent Street, W.I.

TableofContents

Preface
TheDefenceofBowlerBridge

Prologue

GeneralIdea
SpecialIdea
FirstDream
SecondDream
Epilogue

PREFACE

MANY years ago I acquired an excellent little book or pamphlet entitled "The Defence of Duffer's Drift," written by one who preferred to hide his identity under the nom de plume of "Backsight Forethought," now known to be Major-General Sir E. D. Swinton, K.B.E, CB, D.S.O., M.A.

For the benefit of those who have not come across this little work, I will explain that it was an ingenious idea for illustrating certain minor tactical principles involved in holding a river drift against Boers, or any similar enemy.

Lieutenant " Backsight Forethought " had a series of dreams, in every one of which he was set the same task, namely, to hold Duffer's Drift with 50 n.c.o.'s and men. In each of the first five dreams he committed some tactical errors, with the result that he failed on each occasion. But after each dream, he had firmly fixed in his mind the cause of his failure and the tactical principle involved. He did not commit the same mistake twice. Having, during his first five dreams, been guilty of every possible error, in his sixth dream he found the correct solution of the problem.

Times have changed, and with them the methods of conducting war. Perhaps the most striking change is the advent of the armoured fighting vehicle, of which, as it happens, the author of "Duffer's Drift " was one of the earliest advocates.

The principles of war have not changed, but their application has. The methods which would be successful against an enemy consisting of mounted riflemen with a few guns, would not necessarily prove effective against an enemy in armoured cars or tanks.

It is possible that the junior officer of to-day (or the not distant future) may in actual war be required to hold an isolated river crossing against armoured fighting vehicles. It is fairly certain that many of them will be required to do so during peace training.

I have endeavoured, by methods similar to those adopted by "Backsight Forethought," to present my views as to how river crossings should be held and how road blocks should be made and defended.

Quite possibly, the methods suggested are not the best ones. All that is claimed is that they are reasonably sound.

In view of the strength of the enemy, it may be suggested that Smith and his platoon are credited with having performed the impossible. This would be a fair and reasonable criticism. But optimism is a desirable quality in a soldier, and when is he likely to be more optimistic than in his dreams ?

Moreover, the story does bring out one important fact which is not universally appreciated, namely, that a force consisting entirely of armoured fighting vehicles has very definite limitations in respect of ground, and that it is faced with a very difficult problem when con fronted with a physical obstacle held by a resolute and suitably equipped enemy.

This story appeared, in serial form, in "The Army, Navy and Air Force Gazette." I am greatly indebted to the Editor, not only for his permission to reproduce it, but also for his kind assistance in the matter of publication.

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