Forcing the Khyber Pass

Forcing the Khyber Pass
Part of 1st Afghan War 1839-42
Date:	5 April 1842
Location:	Khyber Pass, Pakistan/Afghanistan
Presidency:	Bengal
Co-ordinates:	34.102179°N 71.121968°E
Result:	British victory
Combatants
British & Indians	Various tribesmen
Commanders
Maj Gen George Pollock
Strength
Casualties

Pollock's Army of Retribution

Left Column (to crown the heights)
Two Coys HM 9th Regiment of Foot
Four Coys 26th Native Infantry
200 Jezailchees under Maj Huish, 26th NI
Seven Coys 53rd Native Infantry under Maj Hoggan
Three Coys 60th Native Infantry under Capt Napleton
Four & a half Coys 64th Native Infantry under Col Moseley
One & a half Coys HM 9th Foot under Col Moseley
Torabaz Khan’s auxiliaries

Centre Column

Advance Guard under Brigadier Wild
Grenadier Coy 9th Queen’s Regiment
One Coy 26th Native Infantry
Three Coys 30th Native Infantry
Two Coys 33rd Native Infantry under Maj Barnewell, 9th

Main Body
Sappers & Miners
Horse Artillery 4 guns
Mountain Train 2 guns
Foot Artillery 3 guns
Two Squadrons 3rd Dragoons
Treasure & ammunition on camels
One Squadron 1st Native Cavalry

Two Coys 53rd Native Infantry
Commissariat stores
One Squadron 1st Native Cavalry

One Ressalah irregular Horse
Baggage & camp followers
Ammunition
Litters & camel-panniers for the sick
One Squadron 1st Native Cavalry

Rear Guard
Foot Artillery 3 guns
10th Light Cavalry
Two Ressalahs Irregular Horse
Two Squadrons 3rd Dragoons
Horse Artillery 2 guns
Three Coys 60th Native Infantry
One Coy HM 9th Foot

External Links

Wikipedia - 1st Afghan War
Somerset Record Office - 1st Afghan War
Google Books - Forcing the Pass
Google Books - Gen Pollock's Despatch
Wkipedia - Khyber Pass, Afghanistan