'Critical Study of the Campaign in Mesopotamia up to April 1917: Part I - Report' [‎133r] (270/424)

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also showed that the water in the vicinity of No. 2 sap had subsided^ andJ
both Brigadiers agreed that the attack could take place on the front
originally decided on.
The original plan was therefore adhered to, and Operation Order
No. 33 was issued for the attack.
52. During the afternoon of the 21st April, the marsh again rose^
about 2 inches, but no further rise was reported. In order to enable-
the right of the 21st Brigade to advance over ground clear of water, the-
dividing lines between Brigades was altered to No. 3 sap, thereby moving:
the front of attack 100 yards to the south.
53. A sudden rise in the marsh would cover with water the ground
over which the 21st Brigade was to advance, and to meet such an even
tuality, Brigades were informed that if the frontage of attack had to be-
reduced, the 19th Brigade would carry out the attack, the 28th Brigade
would be in immediate support of the 19th Brigade, and the 21st Brigade-
would remain in position covering with fire the advance of the 19th^
Brigade.
54. Patrols during the night of the 21st-22nd April reported that the
water on the front of the 21st Brigade appeared to be receding, and the
ground over which the 19th Brigade was to advance was almost dry ex
cept for some ditches of water about one foot deep.
55. The Brigades assembled as directed in Operation Order No. 33
and artillery registration commenced at 0630.
56. At 0605, the 21st Brigade reported by telephone that it
would not be able to advance over the frontage allotted to it on account,
of the state of the ground. I therefore ordered the attack to be carried
out by the 19th Brigade, supported by the 28th Brigade, informing the*
Corps Commander who approved of this alteration.
57. The artillery on both banks of the river carried out a slow bom
bardment from 0620 to 0700. At 0700 the bombardment became"
intense, and the assaulting infantry commenced to move forward under
cover of this intense bombardment.
58. A 0709, the artillery lifted and the 19th Brigade assaulted
the position, the Highland Battalion being on the left with a frontage^
of 200 yards and the 92nd Punjabis on the right with a frontage of 100
yards. The enemy's front line was captured without difficulty and with
few casualties, but the trench was found to be full of water, and the ground
between the enemy's 1st and 2nd lines was very wet and heavy and in
tersected by numerous short communication trenches and dug outs in
>7hich our assaulting infantry got bogged, and over which they could
only advance slowly and laboriously. As soon a- the infantry got over
the enemy's first line, fire was opened on them fiom the enemy's fourth
line, Z-9—Z-10 and from the treucLes towards ths river. Several-