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The Defence of Duffer’s Drift is part of a collection of classic texts for teaching small unit tactics. Despite its origin in the Second Boer War (1899-1902), it remains a book that is recommended, without qualification, by many militaries around the world. It is an essential reference work for the professional soldier. The Defence of Duffer’s Drift is a fictional account of a young British officer’s lessons learned as a platoon commander during the Boer War. Its simple style and satirical nature provide an entertaining look at how not to employ one’s troops. It emphasizes the importance of employing certain tactical principles in every operation by illustrating the tragic results of ignoring such tenets. The story centers on Lieutenant Backsight Forethought (referred to as BF by his colleagues) who has been placed in command of a 50-troop reinforced platoon. BF’s platoon is tasked to hold Duffer’s Drift, the only ford on the Silliassvogel River where wheeled traffic can cross. BF sees his assignment as the chance to demonstrate what he learned during his officers’ course. If he does well in holding the drift, he thinks it will be his opportunity to gain fame and glory. As simple as BF’s task appears, the Boer enemy will cause many problems. As the reader, will your mind be quick enough and your intellect sharp enough to be able to solve BF’s problems before the first shot is fired?
