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First edition. Blacker's account of service with the Guides in Persia, Afghanistan, Transcaspia, Ferghana, and Sinkiang is rarely found in such sharp condition. "This is a tale of strange post-war happenings on the far frontiers of Persia and Turkestan which for high adventure and hairbreadth episodes would have delighted the heart of Charles Lever -whilst retaining all the advantage of historical accuracy. Told in the language of the modern British officer, which, if not classical, is at least picturesque and sometimes most expressive, it deals with the progress of a detachment of Guides projected into that amazing theatre of confused military and political action, after the Armistice, which we know as Central Asia" (Holdich, p. 247). This sentiment is echoed in Younghusband's introduction: "With the true Guides spirit [Blacker] started on a series of hazardous services which were prolonged over three years, and during which he and his patrol covered very nearly 10,000 miles on foot or on horseback … During their patrol the Guides came into the vortex of wonderful exploits hidden from view by the absorbing events in the theatre of war nearer home. Of these none are greater than those of the 19th Punjabis and 28th Light Cavalry who defeated in battle some 10,000 Bolsheviks, and established the fear of God and of British-led Indian soldiers throughout several thousand square miles of Asia … Those who wish to read an enthralling tale of endurance, courage, and adventure cannot do better than follow Captain Blacker and his gallant Guides on their secret patrol". After education at Sandhurst, Blacker (1887-1964) followed his father into the Indian Army but in 1914 transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was shot down and seriously wounded on several occasions. "After the war he decided to concentrate on developing special weapons at his own expense without help from the services" and during the Second World War "complete with eyeglass and leggings, approached everyone he knew at the War Office to do something about them" (ODNB). Perhaps the most important development of a Blacker brainwave was that highly successful anti-tank weapon, the PIAT. Colonel Sir Thomas Hungerford Holdich, review, Journal of the Central Asian Society, Vol. IX, 1922. Octavo. Half-tone frontispiece and 27 illustrations on 15 plates, folding route map and large coloured folding regional map; terminal advertisement leaf. Original red cloth, gilt-lettered spine, Guides badge gilt to front cover. Ownership inscription at head of title page (offsetting to frontispiece) of Hubert Carpenter Bristowe MD (1864-1945). Spine sunned, foxing to edges of text block and scattered internally, closed tear to stub of large folding map: an exceptional copy.
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