'Report from Lieut-General Sir P. H. N. Lake K.C.B., K.C.M.G. Commanding I.E.F. "D" on the Defence of Kut-Al-Amarah under Major-General C. V. F. Townshend, C.B., D.S.O., 3 December 1915-29 April 1916' [‎19r] (37/44)

35
A bombardment of the whole of the Turkish position commenced at 5*30 P.M.
and about 5*45 3 heliograph to north west Dujailah Redoubt appeared for a
moment to be calling us but we failed to establish communication.
At 8-15 p.m., a heavy burst of artillery fire was visible at the Turkish camp
at Magasis ; it looked as if British shells were dropping into their camp and the
i urkisti gun flashes in reply could be plainly seen.
I thought Aylmer's attack on Dujailah Redoubt at 5-30 p.m . mast have
been successful though I was surprised not to hear from him.
At 11 p.m., the Corps Commander sent me following which I received at
midnight ;—
" March 8th. Enemy lost heavily to-day and it is doubtful whether they
will be able to maintain their position. Will let you knovv to-morrow proposed
plan which will include English Division whic 1 has arrived."
This still leaves me in doubt whether he took the Dujailah Redoubt or not,
in fact by mention of a " proposed plan " it would appear that he is going to
prepare fresh operations apart from this.
March 9///.— At 9-30 A .m., following telegram from Corps Commander
reached me by aeroplane
" To day's operations terminated in a gallant but unsuccessful attempt to
storm the- Dujailah redoubt. Troops pushed home and carried out operation
with great gallantry but the enemy was able to mass reinforcements which arriv
ed from the left bank at Magasis and from Shumran and we were unable to
break through. Unless the enemy retires from his present position from the
right bank, which does not seem probable, we shall ba unable to maintain our
selves in present pisition o.ving to lack of water, and unless the enemy evacuate
the Es Sinn pomnn to night we shall be obliged to withdraw to our previous
position at VVadi."
" Casualties to-day have been heavy."
The above was followed by another message on morning of March 9th to
say that his message of March 8:h comrnencing " Enemy lost heavily to-day "
was a bogus one which had been sent as there was grave suspicion that the enemy
had our cipher. General Aylmer said ne had been unable to break through to
relieve me and he might have to withdraw to VVadi to-morrow but that he hoped
to make another attempt before long and relieve meat an early date. Enemy
had lost most severely and their counter-attacks had been repulsed. The above
message had been w itten at 1 -45 A.M., March 9th, and despatched by aeroplane.
I immediately took steps to kill off about 1 ,100 animals which would save
grain and enable me to hold out till 15th April.
APPENDIX AA.
Copy of a telegram from 6th Division to General H-^ad Quirters, No. 69-246-G., dated
9th M arch 1916.
" No. I2-I228 -G and 12-1230 G. received.
I hope you will convey the gratitude of myself and my command and
sympathy to you and your force for their gallant efforts to relieve
us. I should like to make it clear to you again, as I told you in
my 6g-239-G.of March 8th, the only reserves which went east
from Shumran to F.s Sinn on right bank was a regiment of cavalry
which I saw leave Shumran myself and watched it cross Hai
Bridge, and 2;o infantry along left bank counted by observers at
fort as they passed well within sight. That you did not execute
projected turning manoeuvre round south of Dujailah with four out
of six brigades which I had to see appear before I committed my
sorry force to crossing Tigris, was due I suppose to your air