'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎74r] (150/256)

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No. 103.
Secretary of State foi India to Viceroy, dated 2.'W February 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
I am anxious regarding Force “ D,” as the enemy will every day get stronger, and it esems
very desirable that we should smash their advanced forces as soon as possible, otherwise we
may be confronted with a serious attack on Basra itself, i have endeavoured to get the
\\ ar Office to send out further reinforcements to India, but it seems hopeless, and of course
we must recognise the great issues that lace us in Europe, which they regard as vital to
success and of paramount importance.
Under these circumstances I should be glad if you could see your way to form another
brigade for the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. without relief from home. You will be getting three battalions
from China shortly, and we might anticipate their arrival by detailing three Indian battalions
from India for service in Gulf, or perhaps you could now spare one battalion from Muscat.
As regards the British battalion for this Brigade, could you not spare one of the best of the
Territorial battalions P You might also be able to give a Territorial battery for garrison
duty at Basra. 1 wish you could spare another cavalry regiment, as I understand the country
at this season is well adapted to that arm.
No, 104.
General Barrett to Secretary of State for India, dated 'loth February 1915.
Enemy’s cavalry, about 1,000, advanced to within four or five miles of Shaiba to-day, but
were checked by our cavalry and guns. They then retired to Nakhela, some 15 miles north
west of Shaiba. S. Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, and 16th Cavalry marched to Shaiba to
day. At Mezera floods have reached our defences, and covering the entire front between the
Tigris and Snaib creek. I am therefore withdrawing the remaining field battery and an
infantry battalion to Basia. All quiet there and at Ahwaz, but owing to threatened attack on
Mohammera and Abadan by disaffected tribesmen, I am posting HALS. Espiigle in Ka an
river east of Mohammera, and am sending a company of Indian infantry to Abadan.
No. 105.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated ‘3rd March 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Have now ascertained definitely that neither War Office nor Admiralty can give any
assistance in troops or marines, so that whatever force is required to meet eventualities either
in Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. or at Aden must be found from India.
It seems to us here that considering the present relative proportions of British and
Indian troops in India and now that three regiments are en route for India it might be possible
to scrape up another brigade and concentrate it in readiness for despatch if occasion arises.
You might consider whether a couple of Territorial battalions could not be detailed for this
brigade in lieu of one Regular battalion from the frontier divisions. I hesitate to press you
on this point, but I am absolutely convinced that we must take no risk in the Gulf region,
especially on the eve of what we hope may be momentous and successful developments in the
near East, the moral effect of which must not be maired by any untoward incident in the
Gulf.
No. 106.
Viceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated 3rd March 1915.
[Replies to No. 103, reviewing situation in Mesopotamia and India : text not printed.]
No. 107,
General Barrett to Secretary cf State for India, dated -Vh March 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
3rd March. Brigadier-General Robinson reports that he moved out this morning and
shelled enemy’s camp at Ghadir, 10 miles west of Ahwaz. Enemy turned out in great force,
estimated at "about 12 , 000 , and succeeded in getting round his flanks and rear, making retire
ment extremely difficult. Enemy frequently came to hand-to-hand fighting, and suffered very
severely, but our losses, I regret to say, have been very heavy. One Royal Field Artillery
18-pdr. gun was abandoned after horses had been killed, and 400 rounds ammunition. Also
one breach of chase of mountain gun. Casualties: British officers:—Killed, 5; wounded, 3.
British rank and file:—Killed, 1; wounded, 5. Indian officers:—Killed, 1; wounded, 4.
Indian rank and file:—Killed, 55 ; wounded, 115. It appears Ghazban and Said-Nameh,
with Ben-i-Turuf tribes, were present with the force, Ghadir having been heavily reinforced
the night before. I have ordered two Royal Field Artillery guns and half battalion Indian
infantry, which were despatched to Marid to-day, to proceed direct to Ahwaz, arriving to
morrow. and will send half battalion British infantry to-morrow and one spare latest gun direct
to replace gun lost. Officer commanding Shaiba reports cavalry reconnaisance to-day when
returning to cam]) were followed up by 1,500 mounted Arabs. Our troops led enemy on direct
to concealed position occupied by half battalion infantry and machine guns, with two field
guns in support. Enemv then retired on Nakeila. Our casualties, all in cavalry : British
officers : Killed, 4; wounded, 2. Indian officers:—Killed, 2 ; rank and file killed. 4.