Operations in the Tochi
Encyclopedia
The Operations in the Tochi (28 November 1914–27 March 1915) were carried out by Indian Army during World War I on the North West Frontier. The Tochi river flows East from the tribal territories, through North Waziristan
, to join the Kurram
and the Indus rivers. On the 28 and 29 November a raid by 2,000 tribesmen from Khost
was defeated by the North Waziristan Militia
near Miranshah
, on the Tochi. The next January the militia again defeated a raid by tribesmen which had attacked Spina Khaisora. On the 25–26th March a force of over 7,000 tribesmen, threatened Miranshah
, but was defeated by the Bannu Brigade
together with the local militia.
was awarded the Victoria Cross
.
Cemetery, North Waziristan
, and is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate)
.
North Waziristan
North Waziristan is the northern part of Waziristan, a mountainous region of northwest Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering . Waziristan comprises the area west and south-west of Peshawar between the Tochi river to the north and the Gomal river to the south, forming part of Pakistan's...
, to join the Kurram
Kurram
Kurram can refer to either:*Kurram River - a river on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan*Kurram Valley - the valley of the Kurram River which runs from Afghanistan to the Indus River....
and the Indus rivers. On the 28 and 29 November a raid by 2,000 tribesmen from Khost
Khost
Khost or Khowst is a city in eastern Afghanistan. It is the capital of Khost province, which is a mountainous region near Afghanistan's border with Pakistan...
was defeated by the North Waziristan Militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
near Miranshah
Miranshah
Miranshah is the capital or headquarters of North Waziristan in Pakistan. It is the site of a town, which has s small airfield that was built by the British for World War II. The area in which Miranshah sits is extremely dangerous mainly due to Taliban activities and U.S. Drone...
, on the Tochi. The next January the militia again defeated a raid by tribesmen which had attacked Spina Khaisora. On the 25–26th March a force of over 7,000 tribesmen, threatened Miranshah
Miranshah
Miranshah is the capital or headquarters of North Waziristan in Pakistan. It is the site of a town, which has s small airfield that was built by the British for World War II. The area in which Miranshah sits is extremely dangerous mainly due to Taliban activities and U.S. Drone...
, but was defeated by the Bannu Brigade
Bannu Brigade
The Bannu Brigade was formed after the 1903 reforms of the British Indian Army by Herbert Kitchener when he was Commander-in-Chief, India. The brigade was part of the Northern Army and deployed along the North West Frontier...
together with the local militia.
Captain Eustace Jotham
It was during these operations when Captain Eustace JothamEustace Jotham
Eustace Jotham VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
was awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
.
Citation
He was buried in the MiranshahMiranshah
Miranshah is the capital or headquarters of North Waziristan in Pakistan. It is the site of a town, which has s small airfield that was built by the British for World War II. The area in which Miranshah sits is extremely dangerous mainly due to Taliban activities and U.S. Drone...
Cemetery, North Waziristan
North Waziristan
North Waziristan is the northern part of Waziristan, a mountainous region of northwest Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering . Waziristan comprises the area west and south-west of Peshawar between the Tochi river to the north and the Gomal river to the south, forming part of Pakistan's...
, and is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate)
India Gate
The India Gate is the national monument of India. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was built in 1931...
.