'Report from Gen Sir John Eccles Nixon, Commanding I.E.F. 'D', on the Operations on the Euphrates 26th June-25th July 1915 (including the battle of Nasiriyah)' [‎34] (51/108)

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enemy's troops also kept under cover and little estimation could be formed of
their dispositions by actual observation. Larsfe Arab encampments were seen
to the north-east along the Sadanawiyah and across the marshes, on our right
flank.
As soon as possible after dark on the 20th instant, the 5" guns were landed,
platforms were built for them and by morning of the 22nd both had been placed
in position on the right bank near Musaffar Creek for operations against the
enemy's advanced works.
On the night of the 2ist-22nd the remainder of the 63rd Battery, Royal
Field Artillery, the '5 P r * battery and the howitzers were moved forward to
the Umm-as-Sabiyan position ; the remainder of the Mountain Battery was
moved to the Uft bank to support the 12th Brigade. The whole ground
between our advanced works and Sadanawiyah w 7 as thus covered by our Artillery.
The 4*7' / Naval guns on horse boats were left near the Musaffar Creek. All
guns registered on selected parts on the enemy's positions on the 22nd and 23rd
and telephone communications were tested.
Considerable difficulty was experienced in maintaining satisfactory telephonic
communication between Artillery and Naval observing officers at Shakhair
village and on the Atabiyah Creek, and the guns. The lines were frequently
cut by enemy fire and river traffic, which had to be carried out by night. As
the amount of telephone wire in artillery charge was insufficient to connect
up the forward observing officers with brigade headquarters, the cable belong
ing to the Divisional Signal Section had to be used for this purpose. Lieutenant
Pocock, R. E., with his Army Signal Section greatly assisted this work with his
staff and material ; without their ready help the telephone communication
arrangements for the attack could not have been completed.
By the evening of the -23rd all communications had been, as far as possible,
completed and defects had been remedied. The artillery were ready in position
as above described, and the troops were disposed as follows
On the left hank
12th Brigade
Conttnandivig—Lieutenant'Colonel tJ, H, Dunlop ) 44^ Mcvwatas.
Advanced troops in trenches 300 yards north of and parallel to Atabiyah
Creek, supporting and reserve troops entrenched between Point A and 'the
clearing;—
2nJ Royal West Kent Regiment.
67th Punjabis.
90th
No. 12 Company, Sappers and Miners.
1 Double Company, 4.8th Pioneers.
30th Mountain Battery, 150 yards off No. 1 Post.
1 Bearer Sub-Division Field Ambulance.
2-7th Gurkhas who had been attached to strengthen 12th Brigade were
in a position of readiness to be ferried across to right bank.