Soldiers of the 72nd (Duke of Albany?s Own Highlanders) Reg
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Soldiers of the 72nd (Duke of Albany?s Own Highlanders) Reg
Photograph: Soldiers of the 72nd (Duke of Albany?s Own Highlanders) Regiment, 1879. From an album of 60 photographs by John Burke, 1878-1880. Associated with Maj Gen Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880). Soldiers of the 72nd (Duke of Albany?s Own Highlanders) Regiment in Afghanistan exhibit the range of signalling devices available before the advent of either the field telephone or radio. Flags enabled the relaying of messages by semaphore. The Mance heliograph, a small mirror mounted on a tripod, worked by reflecting sunlight in order to flash messages in Morse code: on 22 April 1880, news of the Battle of Ahmed Khel was relayed by heliograph to another British column 50 miles away. At night, when there was no sunlight, the shuttered Aldis lamp was used to flash signals instead. Finally, the signallers? telescope enabled them to see long distance messages more easily. Date: 1879
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Media ID 14404054
© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library
1878 1879 Afghan Associated Burke Frederick Highlanders Photograph Regiment Roberts Sleigh 72nd
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, taken in 1879, showcases the Soldiers of the 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment during their deployment in Afghanistan. The image is part of an album of 60 photographs taken by John Burke between 1878 and 1880, during the 2nd Afghan War, where the British Army aimed to extend its influence in Central Asia and quell rebellions. The soldiers in this photograph are seen holding a range of signalling devices, which were essential for effective communication before the advent of field telephones or radios. The soldiers are seen holding flags, which enabled the relaying of messages by semaphore. The Mance heliograph, a small mirror mounted on a tripod, is also visible. This device worked by reflecting sunlight in order to flash messages in Morse code. On 22 April 1880, news of the Battle of Ahmed Khel was relayed by heliograph to another British column 50 miles away. At night, when there was no sunlight, the soldiers used the Aldis lamp, a shuttered lamp that was used to flash signals instead. The soldiers' telescope was also an essential tool, enabling them to see long-distance messages more easily. The soldiers' attentiveness and focus on their signalling equipment demonstrate the importance of effective communication in military operations. The 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment, also known as the 'Sutherland Highlanders,' had a rich history and saw action in various conflicts, including the Napoleonic Wars and the Boer War. This photograph offers a unique glimpse into the daily life and duties of these soldiers during their service in Afghanistan.
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