NORTH-WEST FRONTIER - Official History of Operations on the N. W. Frontier of India 1936-37. Delhi: Manager of Publications. 1943.
Tall 8vo. Original cloth-backed printed boards, spine lettered in gilt; pp. [2], xviii, 256, plates after photographs, numerous folding maps (three in rear pocket); binding a little marked, inner hinges unexpertly strengthened at an early date, a good copy of a great rarity, contemporary label of Spink and Son inside front cover.
Very rare first edition, one of 750 copies printed. This volume mainly details the events of an anti-colonial rebellion, sparked by Muslim-Hindhu tensions on the North-West Frontier in Waziristan. This conflict 'was fuelled largely by the rhetoric of a Tori Khel Wazir, Mirza Ali Khan, known as the Faqir of Ipi. Initial operations in 1936 were successful in deterring rebellion but in response to increasing unrest, operations in the Khaisora valley against the Tori Khel at the end of the year - aimed at restoring peace and demonstrating the government’s determination to maintain peace - were strongly opposed. Withdrawal of the two columns greatly increased the Faqir’s influence' (Nick Metcalfe's blogpost). There were battles and skirmishes involving tanks, artillery and air bombardment, with casualties on all sides.
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