'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎88r] (178/256)

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No. 228.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated 'loth November 1015.
(Telegraphic.)
24th November. Tigris line. General Townshend is still in possession of battlefield and
is clearing wounded. He was advancing afternoon, November 24th, with half his force io
assist collection of wounded from advanced trenches. Reports not vet received of completion
of this task, but his intention was to concentrate his troops in angle of high wall 2 miles
south-east of Ctesiphon. Four heavy Turkish guns have been active from long range
throughout the day, and also snipers about our right flank, •> miles north-east of Ctesiphon,
otherwise no Turkish guns or infantry had advanced up to afternoon November — fth, and
only about 300 Arabs have been seen who keep at distance of 2 or 3 miles 1 wo gunboats
advanced up Bustan reach about mid-day, November 24th. About 1,300 prisoners have been
marched into Lajj, and five steamers leave Lajj November 25th, taking down 1,800 wounded
and General Headquarters to Kut. General Townshend s future dispositions will depend on
evacuation of the rest of the wounded and other factors. Enemy’s distribution as reported
by eight air reconnaissances, November 24th, is as follows :—Enemy is occupying second line
of trenches, and lias some 2,000 troops in second line on left bank, with camps in rear and on
right bank.’ General Townshend reports, 9.30 p.m., that all his information tends to indicate
steadv retirement of Turks back to Dialah in order to defend it, and that lie lias dnected
combined air service and cavalry reconnaissance on November 25th to confirm this. Furbish
boat bridge has been towed up river from Qusaibah at 5 p.m., November 24th. I shall remain
at Kut to supervise despatch of reinforcements arriving. Second gunboat Ri*//W;/b/ left Basra
November 24th. 1 cannot speak too highly of the excellent handling of the situation by
General Townshend, and of undimmed spirit of troops after their severe losses and hardships
from want of water and food. The fortitude displayed by wounded, of whom there are about
2,500, is beyond all praise.
No. 229.
Secredary of State for India, to General Si,von, dated loth A ovember 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
War Committee of Cabinet desire you to report fully by telegraph on present situation
and prospects. What is present estimate numbers enemy Ctesiphon and Baghdad ‘f What
reinforcements can be get before you could again attack ? ^ hat, if any, tioops, additional to
reinforcements and drafts already promised, do you now require to capture and hold
Baghdad? Your estimate should be on safe side. If capture of Baghdad has become
impossible, report what position you propose to hold and what troops you require for the
purpose.
No. 230.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated '26th November 1915.
(Telegraphic.) . . • , , n
Tigris line. General Townshend’s force is still in position at Ctesiphon. Aeroplane
reconnaissance morning of 25th November established fact that Turks in force are entrenched
on line two miles east of Dialah. Three columns seen marching from Qusaibh towards above
entrenched position. General headquarters reached Aziziyah evening of 25th November.
No. 231.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated 26th November 1915.
(Telegraphic.) 25th November.
General Townshend’s force has suffered such severe losses and its units are so depleted
of officers that it cannot be counted on for future operations as an effective division for some
time, but will be used on lines of communications and as a possible nucleus for increasing our
strikin'* - force. Its effective strength in rifles and sabres probably does not exceed some 7,500,
and its*total casualties are now reported 4,300. ^ .
General Townshend has evacuated all his wounded except about 600 trom Lajj. I hese
latter will be evacuated as soon as ships are available. As the enemy on afternoon of
25th November showed signs of moving against him in two columns, he has concentrated his
force at Lajj, where he has a fortnight's supplies and a further four days’ supplies at
\ziziyah All ships returning from Kut, after evacuation of wounded, will bring up furthei
supplies and ammunition. Enemy's effective strength at battle of Ctesiphon is now estimated
to have been four divisions or 20,000 men. One division, the 45th. is stated by prisoners to
have been practically wiped out, and this agrees with observation. The other three divisions
were probably all engaged, and of these the 38th Division is stated by prisoners to have
Present estimated effective strength of enemy at Ctesiphon is now about 11,000 with
39 o-uns- but 1 have not had time to fully verify this. These troops are ill-supplied with
transport and ships, and have no gunboats. They have many Arab auxiliaries who have not
been in their pay. but these have so far shown no disposition to participate in a general
lCt in my I.G. 1658/5, dated 21st November, addressed to Chief of the General Staff, I
estimated a possible eventual concentration against us of nine Turkish divisions Of these
four were actually at Ctesiphon, and the heads of two more may now be arriving at Baghdad,
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