'Report by Brigadier W. S. Delamain, C.B., D.S.O., on the operations of the Indian Expeditionary Force "D" up to 14th November 1914' [‎2r] (3/8)

No. B. M.-ll.
Camp Saniyeh,
16th November 1914.
F rom
Brigadier-General W. S. DELAMAIN, C.B., D.S.O.,
Commanding^ 16th Urigade, 1. E. F. " D",
To
T he CHIEF of the GENERAL STAFF,
SIMLA.
Sir,
On the arrival of Lieutenant-General Sir A. A. Barrett at this camp and
on conclusion of my period of independent command I have the honour to
report as follows :—
2. The force under my command, known as I. E. F. " D", left Bombay on
the 16th October in four Iransports, part of a large convoy. On 19th October
we parted company and steered for Bahrain Islands, under escort of H. M. S.
"Ocean." No. 1 Brigade, Indian Mountain Artillery, joined the force off Jask
on the 21st. We arrived on the 2ord and anchored off Manama. Here we
remained until the 2nd November.
3. On that date the Force sailed for the mouth of the Shatt-al-Arab in com
pliance with instructions contained in your radio telegram No 6571. Pilots
were taken on board off Bushire and the Force arrived at the outer bar of the
river on the evening of the 3rd November.
4. The 4th and 5th November were occupied with naval preparations and
the transports themselves were prepared with bullet proof cover on the upper
decks for the use of parties detailed for covering fire.
Major Eadcliffe, 2nd Dorset Begiment, returned from Kuweit on 5th with
information that the Fort was in ruins but that guns were in position. A
landing force was detailed for the capture of Fao, under Lieutenant-Colonel
II. L. Kosher, 2nd Dorset Begiment, and orders issued. On the 5th the trans
ports crossed the outer bar of the Shatt-al-Arab and anchored just outside the
inner bar.
5. At 6 a.m . on 6th November H. M. S. Odin," preceded by launches
sweeping for mines, stood in and bombarded the Turkish guns outside the
Fort, 3 miles south-east of the telegraph station at Fao. The hostile guns
were soon silenced; they were well served for a time and hit the " Odin " twice.
On the signal being made that the guns were silenced the transports " Umaria "
and " Varela " advanced in that order, each towing 8 boats full of troops along
side ; the " Mashona " (armed launch) towed 7 boats full of troops and the Eoyal
Navy steam launches towed the detachment of Marines from H. M. S. " Ocean."
Off the Telegraph station the boats were cast off and made for the shore.
Some 600 Infantry landed with 1 section. Mountain Artillery, complete with
mules and 1 squad, Sappers and Joiners. There was no opposition. When
the 1st and 2nd reinforcements had also landed. Colonel Rosher assembled
his force and marched south-eastwards to occupy the Fort. This was accom
plished during the night of the 6th—7th, the guns were dismounted and thrown
into the river and Colonel "Rosher's command returned to Fao.