Customer Reviews

The Defence of Duffer's Drift

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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.

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.

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.

Incredible book. It's a terrific primer for junior officers and a light but powerful reminder of the basics for those of us who think we have a little more experience. Set in the Boer Wars, the lessons are still very timely and relevant today. Several times, I made this book recommended reading for my lieutenants. Read this and then come back and re-read it.

Update: The review above refers to the version by Avery Publishing. In 2010, I wanted to give a copy as a gift. Luckily, I skimmed it before wrapping it. This new version by Dodo Press is missing several of the most useful sections of the original book. It omits the historical notes that put the Boer War in context, is missing most of the maps and even omits Swinton's own preface. It is far less useful as a primer than the earlier version.
Amazon apparently doesn't allow separate ratings for different editions of a book. If I could, I would leave the original version with 5 stars but downgrade the Dodo Press version to 3 stars or less. I am returning this new, faulty copy.

The experience through which Lieutenant Backsight Forethought goes lends great lessons to students of military leadership. Contained in the text of the book are numerous lessons learned by this junior officer while preparing to defend a small piece of land. The lessons he learns, although originally written in 1907, apply to today's army. As a matter of fact, the lessons LT Forethought learns compare remarkably to the nine Priniciples of War and five Fundamentals of Defensive Operations contained in US Army doctrine. This book provides an easy-to-read format for young officers and NCOs to learn and understand the significance of such principles. This is an outstanding book from which much can be learned!

This books brings out the best in decision making. From planning, hard work, and common sense it covers it all. A must read for the infantry leader, NCO and Officer.

An excellent book for teaching basics to Officer Basic classes and at any US Army Primary Leadership Course. Read this book and then utilize in field environment and you get big dividends for little cost!

A timeless classic of Military instruction set forth in simple and fast reading manner. It is truly amazing how many principles never change. If you are an instructor make your students read it, if you are an NCO memorize it, if you have a new junior officer assigned to you tie him down with 100 mph tape and read it to him. Any individual who does not learn anything from this text should be reassigned to a position where they cannot influence or harm soldiers in the field.

The method of instruction is very innovative.

It imparts lessons that are still relevant today in a very unconventional manner. Swinton uses the past lessons to reinforce new lessons in a series of scenarios

I first read this book back in 1994 at the Engineer Offiver Basic Course. As a newly minted Second Lieutenant, the fundamentals taught by Swinton were fresh and necessary. As an Engineer Officer, where our responsibility was mobility, countermobility and survivability, the lesons were especially relevant. First published in 1907, this classic tale of Subaltern Backsight Forethought and his detachment tasked to defend Duffer's Drift during the Boer War, is a lesson in basic small unit tactics. From the very first lesson of ensuring that the defenses are perpared before resting to the last lesson of expert use of terrain, cover and concealment, the easy reading book reinforces the lessons of terrain analysis, solid tactics and common sense.

On a deeper level, the book remains relevant to the business person in a way that is similar to a Sun Tzu or Machiavelli. Understand the fundamentals, do not trust the enemy, understand the landscape you will fight on, see yourself from the enemies point of view, use available resources, continue to learn from your mistakes and continuously improve.

Still relevant for the modern soldier because of the focus on fundamentals, the non-soldier has much to gain by reading the book as well.