The destruction of the British army while retreating from Afghanistan in 1842 is one of the most dramatic episodes in British imperial history. Lieutenant Vincent Eyre was present, and kept a diary throughout. This book, first published in 1843 and reissued in 1976, is Eyre’s account of the events leading up to the retreat, the disastrous withdrawal itself, and his time spent in captivity.

The destruction of the British army while retreating from Afghanistan in 1842 is one of the most dramatic episodes in British imperial history. Lieutenant Vincent Eyre was present, and kept a diary throughout. This book, first published in 1843 and reissued in 1976, is Eyre’s account of the events leading up to the retreat, the disastrous withdrawal itself, and his time spent in captivity.