Peshawar Valley Field Force facts for kids
The Peshawar Valley Field Force was a large British military group. It was one of three main forces created in November 1878. These forces were formed at the start of the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880). Each force entered Afghanistan from a different direction. The Peshawar force was the biggest, with about 16,000 soldiers. It included both British and Indian Army regiments. Lieutenant General Sir Samuel J. Browne was in charge of this force.
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What Was the Peshawar Valley Field Force?
This special military group was put together to help fight in the Second Anglo-Afghan War. It was called a "field force" because it was a large, organized group of soldiers ready to fight in the field. Its main job was to invade Afghanistan from India. They aimed to move through important mountain passes and towards the capital city, Kabul.
Journey Through Afghanistan
Sir Samuel J. Browne's force crossed into Afghanistan from India in November 1878. They marched through the famous Khyber Pass. This pass is a very important mountain route.
On November 21, 1878, the force won an important battle at Ali Masjid. This was the very first battle of the war. After this victory, the force continued deeper into Afghanistan. They took control of Jalalabad on December 20, 1878. The soldiers stayed there for the winter.
In April 1879, they moved on to Gandamak. This town was about 50 miles east of Kabul. Their journey was slow because it was hard to keep their supplies and messages moving. Also, many Afghan people were not friendly towards them.
Ending the First Phase of the War
The Treaty of Gandamak was signed in May 1879. This agreement marked the end of the first part of the Afghan War. After the treaty, the Peshawar Valley Field Force left Afghanistan. They returned to India and were officially broken up in mid-1879.
Who Made Up the Force?
The Peshawar Valley Field Force was made up of many different types of soldiers and units. It included:
- Cavalry: These were soldiers who fought on horseback.
- Artillery: These units used large guns and cannons.
- Infantry: These were the main foot soldiers.
- Engineers: These soldiers helped build bridges, roads, and defenses.
The force had both British regiments and regiments from the Indian Army. Sir Samuel J. Browne was the overall commander. Each main part of the force, like the Cavalry or the Infantry Brigades, had its own commander.
