"First, a number of fascines, of fresh branches tightly withe-bound, was made. All Chitralis assert that one such bundle, if sufficiently green and properly tied, will stop a Martini-Henry bullet.

"Provided with these faggots, two or three men would creep silently along the ground some dark night, and heap them up on a spot previously chosen. Others, behind, passed forward more fascines from the rear, and in a few minutes there was a useful barricade formed.

"Next, stones were handed along, and, finally, timbers. At this last stage, the noise of hammering could not be muffled, but as the workers were behind a bullet proof screen they were safe. Wien heavier materials at to be brought from unsheltered places, a false attack on the opposite side of the fort was generally sufficient to divert the attention of our sentries, because of the terrific noise inside the walls, caused by the echoing volleys."

Back to The Attack

More Chirtral: The Siege

Siege: The Fort
Siege: Day-by-Day Diary
Siege: The Attack
Siege: Battle Profile, Analysis, and Wargaming the Battle
Siege: Chitral Expedition Illustration: Malakand Pass (Large 65K)
Siege: Chitral Expedition Illustration: Malakand Pass (Jumbo very slow: 358K)
Siege: Wargame Photos (Large: very slow: 225K)

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