'Blue Book. Paraphrased telegrams' [‎75r] (149/189)

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GENERAL NIXON TO SECRETAEY OF STATE K)R INDIA, 7TH JULY 1915.
"General Gorringe f s successful action on 5th July. Following
fuller description gladly added by me. During this action
he forced his way into the main Euphrates channel in face of
determined resistance. Boats, vdiich in some cases had to
be dragged overland through the jungle, were the only means
of overcoming the physical obstacles caused in the thick
palm groves of that region by the inundations and deep creeks.
The operations of General Melliss* 30th Brigade were carried
out on both banks of the Gurma Sagha Channel or Hakika
leading from the obstruction into the Euphrates. Six days
were occupied in the passage of this. On the right bank of
this channel the 1st Battalion 4th Hants (Lieutenant Colonel
Bowker) had to reinforce the 2nd Battalion 7th Gurkhas
(Lieutenant Colonel Taylor) when a position was made good
from which observation of our artillery fire could be carried
out. The Hants and wing 48th Pioneers (Major Riddell)then,
crossing a creek, pressed enemy in flank. The gallant
advance of the 24th Punjabis under Lieutenant Colonel Clino,
and of 76th Punjabis under Lieutenant Colonel Smithett, who
was severely wounded, was unable to overcome enemy’s
opposition on the left bank of the Hakika or to outflank him
though supported by the fire from rafts of 30th Mountain
Battery (Major Cotter) until Captain Nunn had pushed up the
Hakika Channel under heavy fire into close range with the
small armed steamers and the naval 4.7 guns. During this
operation a shell disabled the "Sumana" but she continued
in action. The 24th Punjabis, dragging their heliums overland
eventually outflanked the enemy opposing them and arrived
at the left bank of the Euphrates. In order to take the
enemy’s