‘Thal in the Kurram, showing the road bridge over the Kurram river to Parachinar’, 1920...

‘Thal in the Kurram, showing the road bridge over the Kurram river to Parachinar’, 1920 circa. Photograph by Randolph Bezzant Holmes (1888-1973), India, North West Frontier, 1920 circa. The fort at Thal guarded the strategically vital Kurram valley. On the outbreak of the 3rd Afghan War (1919), it was garrisoned by four under-strength battalions of Sikhs and Gurkhas and a squadron of Indian cavalry under the command of Brigadier-General Alexander Eustace. They were soon besieged by a large Afghan regular force under the command of General Nadir Khan. The Afghans were able to occupy a tower 500 yards (460 m) from the fort and from there they were able to set fire to several food dumps. Although under constant attack for a week the garrison held out until they were relieved on 2 June 1919 by a brigade from Peshawar led by Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer. From an album of 73 photographs by Randolph Bezzant Holmes, 1919-1920.