Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Getting the Drift

E.D. Swinton; The Defence of Duffer's Drift (Avery Publishing Group Inc.; 1986; ISBN 0-89529-323-4; cover art, uncredited historical photograph).

(An online version can be found here.)

Defence opens as Lieutenant Backsight Forethought, about as green as grass, is dropped off in the veldt with a platoon to defend a vital piece of terrain. He has no idea of what conditions are in the area, so when he is attacked, he is beaten soundly and surrenders.

He then has a dream where he learns a couple of lessons about tactics. And he applies those lessons when (a la Groundhog Day) he is dropped off to defend a vital piece of terrain. Over a series of dreams, he improves his lot, a bit each time, is beaten each time, but learns more lessons (twenty-two in all) and wins the action, changing the course of the war.

And then he wakes up...as it is time to defend that new piece of territory.

The story here is less important than the lessons learned, implied or direct. In addition to the direct lessons, there's a lot here that young lieutenants should pick up on in terms of logistics, listening to the men, directing the men and more. While set during the Boer Wars, much of this carries forward to this day (and beyond).

(Interestingly enough, Swinton was one of the founders of my chosen MOS—armor. No wonder I enjoyed the book so much!)

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