The Other Side of the Mountain: v. 1 Mujahideen Tactics in the Soviet Afghan War

A study of operations and actions of the Afghan Mujahideen resistance fighting against the Soviet Forces in Afghanistan 1979-1989. When the Soviets invaded Afghanistan few realised how long the fighting would go on and that it would end with the Soviets being forced into a humiliating retreat. Cntains accounts of numerous actions fought by the Afghan resistance each account is told by the Afghan commander who participated in the action described. These commanders in the vast majority, were civilians who took up arms against the Soviets and developed the skills necessary to command guerrilla units. Most of these accounts are supported by a full page coloured map, that show the topography, the locations of the attackers and defenders, movements, fields of fire &c. An invaluable guide to anyone wishing to understand modern guerrilla warfare, whether conducting one or fighting against guerrillas in the field. In addition it provides invaluable insights in how to train and support guerrillas in the field. Each operation is commented on to highlight the elements that caused the operation/action to succeed or fail. In the event of failure what should have been done to have prevented such failure, or in the case of success what could have been done to have improved on that success. The Other Side of the Mountain effectively shows what is required to conduct a successfully guerrilla/insurgent campaign. The techniques and experiences described apply not only to Afghanistan but also to many other parts of the world such as the Balkans, Central and South America, Sirilanka, the southern borders of Russia and the Far East. These volumes are not just a history of a series of operations and actions but a manual on the conduct of guerrilla operations as well as what support and assistance such a campaign requires to succeed.

Table of Contents:
Introduction.....iii; Preface.....iv; Map of Afghanistan.....x; Part 1 - Ambushes.....1; Chapter 1 (Maps 1a & 1b) - Ambushes at the Mamur Hotel 1; Chapter 2 (Map 2) - Yet Anther Ambush at the Mamur Hotel 6; Chapter 3 (Map 3) - Ambush South of the Tangi Waghjan Gorge10; Chapter 4 (Map 4) - Ambush at Kanday.....14; Chapter 5 (Map 5) - Ambush on the Jalalabad - Asadaban Road 16; Chapter 6 (Map 6) - No-Pula Ambush.....18; Chapter 7 (Map 7) - Two Convoys in the Kill Zone 20; Chapter 8 (Map 8) - Ambush Near Abdullah-e Burj 24; Chapter 9 (Maps 9a & 9b) - Deh-Khwaja Ambush. 28; Chapter 10 (Map 10) - Duranay Abush.....32; Chapter 11 (Map 11) - Kandahar Ambushes.....36; Chapter 12 (Map 12) - Ambush at Qala-e Haidar 42; Chapter 13 (Map 13) - Ambush at the Sadre Azam Hill 46; Chapter 14 (Map 14) - Ambush at the Mazar Stream 48; Chapter 15 (Maps 15a & 15b) - Ambush at Qafus Tangay. 50; Chapter 16 (Map 16) - Sisay Ambush.....54; Chapter 17 - Commentary.....57; Part 2 - Raids.....59; Chapter 1 (Map 17) - Raid on the Totumdara Security Post 60; Chapter 2 (Map 18) - Chamtala Raid.....64; Chapter 3(No Map)- Raid on the Bagrami District Headquarters 67; Chapter 4(Map 19) - Attack on the Tsawkey Security Outposts 68; Chapter 5 (Map 20)- Raid on the Pul-e Charkhi Radio Transmitter Station 70; Chapter 6 Map 21) - Raid from Cheltan on Outposts in the Kabul Surburbs 76; Chapter 7(Map 22) - Raid on the Mahipar Outposts 78; Chapter 8(Map 23) -Raid on the Lataband Security Outposts 82; Chapter 9 (Map 24) - Raid on the Outposts at Wreshmin Gorge 86; Chapter 10 (Map 25)- Raid on the Security Post at the Alingar Bridge 88; Chapter 11 - Commentary.....91; Part 3 -Shelling Attacks.....93; Chapter 1 (Map 26) - A Shelling Attack Turns Bad.....94; Chapter 2 (Map 27) - A New Year's Present for the Soviets. 98; Chapter -Commentary.....101; Part 4 - Attack on a Strong Point.....103; Chapter 1 (Map 28) - Taking Alingar District Capital 104; Chapter 2 (Map 29) - The Battle for Panjwayee 108; Chapter 3 (Map 30) - Attack on the Bodyalay Garrison 112; C