This fully annotated edition of "The Defence of Duffer's Drift" includes: Forward by U.S. Army LTC (R) Sean David McLaughlin - Biography of the author Ernest Dunlop (E.D.) Swinton - A short history of the Boer In Defence of Duffers Drift is a military novella written by Major General Sir Ernest Dunlop Swinton in 1904. The book is a fictional account of a young British officer, Lieutenant Backsight Forethought, who is tasked with defending a small river crossing called Duffers Drift against a much larger Boer force during the Second Boer War. As Forethought takes command of his small detachment, he realizes that he has no experience in combat and struggles to understand how to effectively defend the position. However, through a series of six "dreams," Forethought learns valuable lessons from his mistakes and adapts his tactics accordingly. In each dream, Forethought experiences a different scenario and learns a different lesson. He initially makes the mistake of assuming that his small detachment can hold off the much larger Boer force, but quickly learns that he needs to rely on terrain and use his men more effectively. In subsequent dreams, Forethought learns the importance of reconnaissance, the need to use cover and concealment, the value of communication, and the importance of aggressive counterattacks. By the end of the book, Forethought has developed a comprehensive understanding of how to defend a position and has successfully repulsed multiple Boer attacks. The book is unique in that it presents a series of mistakes and lessons learned in a clear and concise manner, making it a valuable teaching tool for military tactics. Overall, In Defence of Duffers Drift is a classic military fiction that uses the story of a young officer's learning curve to present valuable lessons in military tactics and strategy. The book remains relevant today as a testament to the importance of adaptability and learning from mistakes in any field.