'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎79r] (160/256)

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No. 151.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated loth June 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
On Karim lino, Sheikh of Mohamnierah’b force of 3,000 Muhaisin, under his son Chasib,
advanced Irom Tvnrun 3rd June against the rebellious Chaab tribesmen in their main
settlement of r alLihieh. Action was joined against the Chaab collected in force on 5tli June
near an outlying \illage of lallahieh Settlement, and after four hours fighting the Muhaisin
scattered the enemy and occupied the village, incurring some 40 casualties. The enemy
rallied at lluzioh, but in co-operation with an armed launch Shaikh, acting from Kliur Musa
direction, Chasib made good Fallahieh on 6 th Jane and thence continued the success of his
operations b^ defeating the Chaab at Tfuzieh. Understand that Muhaisin now engaged in
settling the .Terrain district. 1 his lies east of Fallahieh and had been overrun by the Chaab
rebels. I his puts the Chaab business on a satisfactory footing, and the situation in Arabistan
has now almost returned to normal.
No. 152.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated 28th Jane 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
28th. General Gorringe’s column consisting of Headquarters, 12th Division, 30th Infantry
Brigade under General Mellis, 63rd Battery Royal Field Artillery, 30th Mountain Battery,
two 4'7 guns, 12th Company Supply and Transport, sappers and wing of 48th Pioneers, all in
steamers and on rafts and lighters, crossed Hamar Lake on 27th. Reconnaissance of Hakeika
channel was carried out against opposition from two armed Thorneycroft launches. Demoli
tion of obstruction in Hakeika channel commenced 5.30 p.m. 27th and continued all night.
No further news at present. Nothing to report from Amara.
No. 153.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated 6th July 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
General Gorringe telegraphs 6.15, 5th instant:—
“ Have been heavily engaged all day ; have succeeded in forcing our way to Euphrates,
which was reached at 1 p.m. by 24th Punjabis moving along the left bank Gurma Safha.
Turkish battery on right bank Euphrates surrendered. 1 am now sweeping the channel
for mines to get steamers through to Euphrates. Casualties have been heavy ; as far as is
known at present one British officer killed, five wounded and about /0 other ranks killed and
wounded. Several ships have been hit, but only Sumana disabled. Enemy made stubborn
resistance, and evidently strongly reinforced from Nasiriyah, also local Arabs also opposed us.
Enemy’s casualties were very heavy. All troops behaved gallantly. M ill wire full details
later.”
No. 154.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated 7th July 1915.
(Telegraphic.) . , r , -i i
Am glad to add fuller description of General Gorringe s successful action on 5th July,
during which, in spite of determined resistance, he forced his way into the mam Euphrates
Channel. The physical obstacles formed by the deep creeks and inundations m the thick palm
groves of that region could often only be overcome by boats which m some cases had to be
draped overland through the jungle. The 30th Brigade under General Melhs operated on
both banks of the Hakika or Gurmah Safhah Channel which leads into the Euphrates
the obstruction, the passage of which had taken six days 1 he 2nd Battabon 7th Gurkhas
(Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor) on the right hank of tins channel had to be reinforced by the
1st Battalion 4th Hants (Lieutenant-Colonel Bowker) when they made good a postt,on from
which our artillery lire could be observed, after which the wmg 48th Ptoneers (Ma oi addell)
and the Hants crossed a creek and pressed the enemy m flank. On the left bank of the Hakika,
the gall” t advance of the 76th Punjabis under Lieutenant-Colonel Sm.thett, who was severely
wounded, and of the 24th Punjabis under Lieutenant-Colonel Clim0 f u "“ b oo tl ° m q
the enemy’s opposition or to outflank him, though supported by the hie of the . 0th Mountain
Battery (MajoJ Cotter) from rafts until the naval +'7 guns and small armed steamers under
Captain Nunn had pushed up the Hakika Channel into close range under heavy fire during
which the , was disabled by a shell, hut continued m action. Eventually the
24th Pnniabis draped their heliums overland, outflanked the enemy opposing them and
reached t^ left bank of the Euphrates, which they prepared to
gun position on the right b„nk«f tlmtnvev in enemas ^/suffered
wind, led to similar action on the pa. t of besides seven officers and 83 regulars
If 17Tra C bs P Zt orthose'latter escaping by the creeks southwards. 0 ; r casualties
already reported totalled 10 !) on *l» »j!h 72 wounM and one ’follower
ranks three killed four “trabTta’ve suWted. The minefield has been
=^,,y s ct:::S^
operations has bee
prejudicial.