The Saga Of Sgt. Browning
D.C.M
(Distinguished Conduct Medal.)
As told by Sgt. A Browning of the Kings Dragoons Guards.
On the morning of May 1919, we went out on what is called a fighting reconnaissance, which consisted of two squadrons of cavalry, two guns and a platoon of infantry.
We started from the main camp. We had to go by way of a pass and across another valley and then through another small pass out into open country. There we deployed the Cavalry.
In reaching for the Kabul river there was a bit of snap shooting from the hills, we returned a shot or two just to let them know we were here on business. On the sound of two guns,
(a pre arranged signal) we had to return.The enemy comes across the group.
The Afghans advanced in two prongs; one by the hill and the other by the river. My troop was edging the river, and we held them back on the right flank. They broke through on the left flank, by switching a troop from the center. Our side managed to stop them and made a steady retirement back to the pass.
In the meantime, Captain Cooper D.C of the second Squadrons told me to return. At that moment I looked out and saw the first troops Hotchkiss gun team was in difficulties on the right front. It looked to me as if the packhorse had run away and the men were putting the pack right.
I was not going to leave them behind.
Captain Cooper told me again to return, but by that time he could also see what I was waiting for. Captain Cooper rode off. The gun came back so I sent the gun team back to the next gun position, then returned to my troop. On riding back, we ran into our own squadron leader and we returned to the pass where we were all collecting the troops.
The retirement began through the first pass across the valley. By that time there was stiff rifle fire. We proceeded, first squadron leading, second squadron taking up the rear. We had run into 5000 Afghans, still the retirement went on smoothly. Second squadron went into action at the north of the pass covering the retreat of the small detachment of infantry. One man was killed in the crossing.
Volunteers were called to fetch him in, so I decided to get him in myself. It will be stated here that no man is left behind, dead or alive.
For this act Arthur Browning received a D.C.M.The return went smoothly through the pass into the open plain where the main camp was situated.
I must state here that the communication was bad
. (The main camp should have been immediately alerted and re-enforcement's sent.) As the troop came out of the pass and took up position, the enemy came flocking out of the pass. The one gun opened up, the Colonel in charge of the whole operation said now was the time for a charge.B squadron went into the charge; I mounted my troop and went behind.
It is a noted fact that in anything like a charge, there is always a follow up line of troops. Their job is to pick up the wounded so nobody is left behind. My horse was shot from under me, and the troop had gone back.
{No one was to be left behind, Grandad never left anyone behind, but they left him behind.}I started to walk back, when Captain Brown-Smith came along. He pulled me up, and on the way, we had to pass under a spur. The Afghans were up on top, but there was not a shot fired at us.
As I said, the communications were bad, the first the main camp knew of the fighting was that Colonel Wickham looked up and saw the fighting. Main camp was no more than a mile away from the fighting. He mounted A squadron and sent them along the river, and that helped to take the pressure off.
The enemy took to the hills surrounding the camp. That was the start of a nine-day battle to drive them out.
It is set down in rules and regulations that on the route or march or in camp, the heights had to be picketed (they were not).
I believe this refers to a sophomore type communication involving flags at the top of ridges/hills etc.
Ends.
On to a poem by Auntie Ann.
Here.On to a story told to me, and almost correctly remembered (hey, I was only a little kid!)
Here.