The Black Vault

A BRITISH soldier's secret guide to surviving ambushes in Afghanistan has been discovered — 92 YEARS after he wrote it.

Corporal Charles Kavanagh tells how even in 1919 our squaddies were being tricked, trapped and killed by insurgents.

One excerpt describes how militia dressed in burkas as they approached British camps before murdering guards.

Other tactics in the Third Anglo-Afghan War included locals claiming cattle was being stolen and pleading for help in a bid to lure soldiers from their bases.

The 24-page guide called Characteristics Of Frontier Tribesman was found in a loft at his family home after his death.

Retired draftsman Len, 69, of Trafford, Gtr Manchester, said: "The methods of ambushes and schemes to lure soldiers to gate posts were probably handed down through their generations, except now they use IEDs and suicide bombers."

The guide is now at the Cheshire Regiment's museum in Chester.

Cpl Kavanagh went on to become a labourer and died in 1992, aged 87.

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