'Blue Book. Paraphrased telegrams' [‎55r] (109/189)

114
A report has been received from General Milliss
dated Shaiba 15th April 10.30 a.m. saying that fthim
duhm no enemy remain in Sirjisiyeh.Zobeir or Old Bas
ra and that in the Turkish camp to the south of the
watch tower on the flank of his position on the 14th
were found tents , large quantities of munitions and
kit.food both cooked and uncooked,nearly three quart
ers of a million rounds of small arm ammunition and
over 450 cases of gun amraanitdon. All the above are
being removed or destroyed. I am sending Savalry to
,7 miles west of Zobeir, *
Shwebda^to ascertain whether any enemy remain# there
and to-morrow I shall search for a suitable defensive
position and site for camp for a brigade near Zobeir.
find Clouds of dust indirection of enemy appear to
show that he is continuing his retirement to the north
west. After General Barrettdeparture I sent
General M e iiiss to take command and reinforce Shaiba
and place the Staff of the 6 th Division at his dis
posal. He speaks ii}jiigh terms of their work and I
will later submit recommendations about them.
115
Please inform General Mxon that I desire to congra
tulate his troops on the victory they have so brilli
antly achieved due to able leadership and to the dis-
all ranks.
oipline and bravery of the mam. The defeat inflicted
on the enemy in this notable hand-to-hand engagement
against greatly superior numbers
^enhances thr reputation of the Army of India,
The heavy list of casualties is much deplored but the
losses are not in vain. I shall be glad of a report
of the arrival of the wounded at -Basra.
116
The question of oil supplies renders the Admiralty
desirous of the early repair of the pipe line and ziuS
in view of the favourable situation on the west due
to the recent victory Government would be glad itf the
state of supply and transport make possible an immedi-