'Critical Study of the Campaign in Mesopotamia up to April 1917: Part I - Report' [‎41v] (87/424)

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made attempts to capture V. P., the Water Kedoubt and Gurkha Mound-
They were unsuccessful and withdrew at dawn. From Turkish sources^
we know that their divisions were in great chaos this night. They
wandered in circles over the country, and in many cases attacked objec
tives that had not been given them. The whole of the 35th Division
attacked Gurkha Mound, but could make no headway.
On the 24:th, the whole force concentrated at High Wall, Column C
from V. P. only arriving during the night 24th-25th. High Wall?,,
being such a prominent feature, drew the fire of the Turkish artillery,,
who shelled it intermittently all day.
On the Turkish side, an Arab patrol reported the advance of a British
column towards the Diyala on the early morning of the 24th. Actually
this body was their own 51st Division withdrawing after the night counter
attack. ISTuruddin issued orders for a retreat to the Diyala. This was^
actually carried out during the night of the 24th-25th. On the 25th*
seeing that the British made no forward move, the Turks again
advanced. This advance was reported to General Townshend by aero
plane.
Believing that the Turks had been reinforced and taking into
consideration the heavy casualties that had been incurred he^
determined to retire at once to Lajj. The withdrawal began
at 2030 25th, Lajj was reached without incident at 0230 26th.
During the action General Townshend's force had incurred 4,600
casualties against the Turks 9,500.
On the 27tb, the Turkish Cavalry began to regain contact. General
Townshend determined to withdraw to Aziziya. On this day, the main
Turkish force was still in the vicinity of Ctesiphon, its advance being
delayed by supply difficulties. Their ships could not pass a mined
obstruction they had laid across the river near Suliman Pak.
The British left Lajj at 1600, 27th, and reached Aziziya at 0500,
28th. At noon on this day the main Turkish force reached Lajj. The
British then were 23 miles ahead of the Turks. Aeroplane reports on the
29th afternoon reported the enemy with an advanced guard at El
Kutuniya and their main body at Zor.
Actually on the evening of the 29th, the whole Turkish force was
in and around the El Kutuniya woods, 7 to 8 miles from Aziziya.
On the morning of the 30th, the British started for Kut, the 30th
Brigade marching 20 miles, the remainder 10 miles. The reason given
for this short march of the main portion of the division was the difficulties
of the ship flotilla. Navigation was difficult, and it was thought that 10
miles as the crow flies, was the limit of the day's journey for the ships.
This was according to General Townshend's report. When the Senior
Naval Officer beard of this, he brought the facts to the notice of
General Nixon. The facts were that the Senior Naval Officer pointed