The Defence of Duffer's Drift [Paperback]

E. D. Swinton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1986

The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Guerrilla warfare; Tactics; South African War, 1899-1902; Military art and science; History / Military / General; History / Military / Strategy; History / Military / World War II; History / Africa / South / Republic of South Africa; Technology

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Major General Sir Ernest Dunlop Swinton (1868–1951) was a military writer and British Army officer. Swinton is credited with influencing the development and adoption of the tank by the British during the First World War. He is also known for popularising the term "no-mans land". Swinton was born in Bangalore, India in 1868. He was educated at University College School, Rugby School, Cheltenham College, Blackheath Proprietary School and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He became an officer in the Corps of Royal Engineers in 1888, serving in India and becoming Lieutenant in 1891. He received the Distinguished Service Order during the Second Boer War. After the war, he wrote his book on small unit tactics, The Defense of Duffer's Drift, a military classic on minor tactics that has been used by the United States military to train its officers. In the years leading up to the First World War, he served as a staff officer and as an official historian of the Russo-Japanese War. The War Minister, Lord Kitchener appointed Swinton as the official British war correspondent on the Western Front. Journalists were not allowed at the front and Swinton's reports were censored leading to an effectively uncontroversial although even-handed reporting. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 90 pages
• Publisher: Avery (July 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895293234
• ISBN-13: 978-0895293237
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,346,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What combat experience costs!, June 13, 2005

By 

Dimitrios (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Defence of Duffer's Drift (Paperback)

Hypothetical Lt Backsight Forethought has 50 men and a mission to hold a drift in South African territory during the Boer War of 1899-1902, and he starts his mission fresh from officer training and being totally unaware of the realities of combat. In the first trial he gets beaten really bad but he analyzes his faults and learn from them. He also gets beaten in his second, third, fourth and fifth trial, every time making different mistakes which the enemy does not forgive. Finally, when he has a sixth chance to re-fight the battle he puts up a splendid performance making his opponent to pay dearly and holding the drift until friendly reinforcements arrive. It is a very enjoyable little book and although it was written a hundred years ago it is still very useful for anyone who wants to learn about the core of tactical prowess in infantry battle.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Snall Book on Tactics: Puts you in the Scenario, June 9, 2005

By 

Daniel Hurley (Chesapeake, VA.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Defence of Duffer's Drift (Paperback)

Swinton is a military professional with experience in the Boer War who wrote this famous short book based on a series of thoughts he had on how a infantry unit with only 50 men could defend a river crossing. A young Lieutenant has the role but you are given his perspective, the terrain features, the political situation, conflict with civilians and limits on your own military support. There is a brief history of the war with the "Dutch" and then your Lieutenant receives his assignment. With the use of maps, there are six scenarios of the Lieutenants approach to defending the crossing (drift). Each scenario is acted out and with each of the first five scenarios there are several lessons learned such as the effect of enfilading fire, the limitations of a simple trench, the use of the military crest versus being located on top of the hill, the effect the local sympathetic population may have on aiding guerrilla fighters, the effect of surprise, disguising your defense from view, proper posting of sentries and responsibilities, how to combat artillery, dealing with multiple directions of attack, using the terrain to advantage and on. As the Lieutenant in each scenario learns from his mistakes, he alters the outcome to his advantage but only incrementally. Only at the end and sixth scenario does he get it right but with realistic loss. The same map is introduced in each scenario with defense features matching the new defensive tactics. Fascinating book for all interested in basic infantry tactics, which has been used as a training manual for militaries world wide. This is a very readable book that can be read in less than 2 hours time. Applicable to any war but this book would be interesting to read with an account of Rappahannock Station, which was a spearhead position held by Confederates in advance of Lee's line on November 7, 1863 where Meade's forces overwhelmed the defenders and took almost 3,000 prisoners. Duffer's Drift would be very applicable here.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just For Soldiers, August 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Defence of Duffer's Drift (Paperback)

While undoubtedly a must read for ground troops, you don't have to wear combat boots to enjoy The Defence of Duffer's Drift. If you enjoy problem solving, visualizing varied scenarios, and anticipating the next move, this book may be for you. It's well written in fluid, almost interactive, and easily understood language; you don't have to be a General or a military buff to immediately be enveloped by the dilemma at hand. You can finish the book in one sitting or ponder each chapter as if it were a game of chess. This is a rare type of book that can, and perhaps should, be enjoyed by almost everyone.