Passing It on: Short Talks on Tribal Fighting on the North-West Frontier of India 1897-1920

This book, originally published as a guide for British lieutenants and captains, demonstrates - using General Skeen's first-hand experience - that improvements in technology, much of it available to both sides, had only a modest impact on infantry fighting in the rugged terrain of the North-West Frontier of India, both before and after the Great War. However, Skeen also demonstrates that the key to enhancing basic infantry effectiveness is using the terrain effectively, maintaining force security and understanding the mountain people.

General Sir Andrew Skeen was well placed to 'Pass It On'. His combat experience in the Afghanistan frontier region was extensive, having served on the North-West Frontier of India from 1897, taking part in operations of the Malakand Field Force; then, in the capacity of Commander of the Kohat Kurram Force, he took part in the Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919, he served in Waziristan on the North-West Frontier of India from 1919 to 1920 as Commander, Tochi and Derajat Columns, finally becoming Chief of the General Staff in India in 1924. He also saw action against the Boxers in China, and in Somaliland, Gallipoli and the trenches of the Western Front.