Sunday, May 27, 2012

Troops celebrate as consignment of muskets reaches Afghanistan

nothing like a new jeezail to perk the troops upBritish troops were celebrating yesterday as long awaited supplies reached the front line including cutlasses, muskets and copious supplies of gunpowder and shot. Several thousand red uniform tunics and white helmets were also received, which an officer said would be a tremendous boost to morale.

Medical supplies included innovations such as chloroform and antiseptic, which are hoped to make amputations more bearable and less dangerous, although their use will initially be limited to the officer class to conserve stocks. Morale will be further boosted by the arrival of large numbers of opium pipes. There was also a note saying that supplies of opium were understood to be plentiful in the region, and a box containing ?divers coloured beads for the procurement from the natives thereof?.

Letters from home were also in abundance. Private Tommy Atkins said that although his letter was originally destined for his great-great-great grandfather, it was nice to know that the people at home cared so much about the gallant boys on the front line, especially as it was often difficult to get a signal on his mobile. The letter said that he was sure Great Britain would have completed it?s military objective in Afghanistan before Queen Victoria married Prince Albert.

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Posted: May 25th, 2012 by Des Custard

Tagged as: Afghanistan, First Afghan War, Kabul, May 24 09

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