'Critical Study of the Campaign in Mesopotamia up to April 1917: Part I - Report' [‎25r] (54/424)

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bank was completely devoid of cover, while on the left bank, there wa&
a narrow belt of date groves. An obstruction had been made by the
Turks some 3,000 yards down stream of their position. This did not
prevent the flotilla eventually passing through. On the night 7/8th
July, two Battalions on the right bank and one on the left pushed forward
to cover the obstruction and prevent the Turks from improving it.
General Gorringe now realized that he would require reinforcements.
The 12th Brigade (less 1 Battalion) and 1 section l/5th Hants. How.
Battery R.F.A. were therefore sent up.
On the night of the 13/14th, a further advance on both banks was.
made to about 400 yards from the enemy's advanced trenches. This,
was accompanied on the right bank by an attempt to seize some sandhills
situated in the middle of an inundated area, about 1,000 yards from,,,
and slightly in rear of, the Turkish line. The battalion (24th Punjabis
carrying out this attack, moved forward during the night in bellums
and at dawn attempted to wade to the Turkish post. They were re
pulsed with heavy loss, although supported by 2 sections of the 30th
Mountain Battery mounted on rafts. No blame was imputed to this
battalion for their failure. The plentiful artillery support available
at Qurna for similar operations was not, in this case, provided.
General Gorringe now asked for further reinforcements, as it was
clear that the Turks were being steadily reinforced. When operations
started, their numbers had been estimated at 2,000 ; they had by the
15th July, 5,000. Accordingly the remainder of the troops shown in
the order of battle were sent, arriving on the 19th and 20th July,
Up to and including the 23rd, preparations were made for the final
attack. The jumping off trenches near the enemy were improved and
extended and the guns registered on their targets.
The attack began on the 24th July at 0500. On the right bank
the 30th Brigade (less 1 Battalion) attacked : two Battalions attacking,
with the other battalion and the Brigade M. G.'s giving covering fire
from a flank.
The deep Majinina creek was made fordable by a naval ship towing
up a launch and placing this across the mouth of the creek, thus lowering
the level of water in the channel. By 0930 the advanced position
with 5 guns was in our hands.
On the left bank, two Battalions, 12th Brigade, and the remaining
battalion of the 30th Brigade attacked, and were equally successful.
By noon the main position on both banks had been captured. The
enemy still made some resistance but by about 1600 their final position
was taken. The Turks did not fight badly and 500 dead were counted.
Our casualties amounted to about the same figure on this day.
The Turks lost 15 guns and over 1,000 prisoners.