---
product_id: 12518682
title: "The Defense of Jisr al-Doreaa: With E. D. Swinton's \"The Defence of Duffer's Drift\""
brand: "michael l. burgoynealbert j. marckwardtjohn a. nagl"
price: "VT9383"
currency: VUV
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/12518682-the-defense-of-jisr-al-doreaa-with-e-d-swintons
store_origin: VU
region: Vanuatu
---

# The Defense of Jisr al-Doreaa: With E. D. Swinton's "The Defence of Duffer's Drift"

**Brand:** michael l. burgoynealbert j. marckwardtjohn a. nagl
**Price:** VT9383
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Defense of Jisr al-Doreaa: With E. D. Swinton's "The Defence of Duffer's Drift" by michael l. burgoynealbert j. marckwardtjohn a. nagl
- **How much does it cost?** VT9383 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/12518682-the-defense-of-jisr-al-doreaa-with-e-d-swintons)

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## Description

The Defense of Jisr al-Doreaa: With E. D. Swinton's "The Defence of Duffer's Drift"

## Images

![The Defense of Jisr al-Doreaa: With E. D. Swinton's "The Defence of Duffer's Drift" - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517cHrkcwkL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Good Updating of a Classic Scenario
  

*by F***E on Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2013*

THE DEFENCE OF DUFFER'S DRIFT has now inspired a third tale (that I'm aware of) which is included as the first half of this two-part volume. DUFFER'S DRIFT features Lieutenant N. Backsight Forethought who is left, along with his men and a scattering of equipment, to guard a key geographical location (Duffer's Drift) during the Boer War. The story is told in a series of dreams, where in each dream, he arrives on location and has to set up, prepare defenses, scout, react and hold out until relieved. He fails each time but learns a bit more and applies what he learns to each subsequent dream, until he succeeds at his task.THE DEFENSE OF JISR AL-DOREAA is a similar tale with applications on the U.S. Army's experience in Iraq. The book also mentions the second story (again, that I'm aware of) inspired by the original, THE DEFENSE OF HILL 781 by James R. McDonough, disparaging it as being no longer useful to today's Army. A mistake, I feel. The lessons of DUFFER's DRIFT can be applied to the large mechanized force scenario outlined in HILL 781 as easily as they can be applied to AL-DOREAA. McDonough's PLATOON LEADER is cited as a better work; but I'd argue that the lessons that McDonough learned that lead to the writing of Platoon Leader are seen as well in Hill 781.This is an excellent pairing of the old and the new. I'd recommend this, along with the two by McDonough and a third (RIFLEMAN DODD, C.S. Forester) by any officer candidate or NCO school-bound NCO as well as for any NCO or officer deploying overseas.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Real Examples of COIN Dilemma
  

*by J***E on Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2014*

Ordered this book not knowing much about it other than it was COIN based. Finishing up my bachelor's degree and considering a masters in International Relations, my focus has been on COIN. This book, while not as in depth as Kilcullen's "Counterinsurgency" or "The Accidental Guerrilla" it illustrates examples of principles of COIN without being overtly analytical.  Its a good read, a quick read, I finished this book in between reading Weber for school. If you'd like illustrative examples of small dilemma's in COIN and the realities faced for on the ground small unit commanders of COIN in Iraq this would be a good place to start. If you're a small unit commander, this would also be a good read, as our conflicts have tended to be more COIN related than anything else in the last 5 decades.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Useful update of "Duffers Drift" for the modern-day LT
  

*by P***S on Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2012*

In 'The Defense of Jisr-Al-Doreaa' the authors - relatively junior yet experienced company-grade officers of the US Army - have sought to update the Boer War vintage 
  
The Defence of Duffer's Drift







  
  
     to reflect modern military operations.  While the modern version doesn't quite match the wit and flair of the original (which is included as an annex), this is a quick and easy read that closely follows the format of the original and imparts useful lessons/reminders for junior readers ranging from fundamental leader responsibilities to basic COIN conduct.  This modern day 'Duffers Drift' has considerable potential as a training tool and catalyst for professional discussion for junior leaders, and will be of potential interest to any laymen interested in the theoretical and broad responsibilities of a junior officer in a COIN or security operation.

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*Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu*
*Store origin: VU*
*Last updated: 2026-02-11*