'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎99r] (200/256)

(iI'Hr i'iiI liarrctt f<> Secretary of State for India, dated 16/4 November 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Hearing that the enemy, about 1,000 strong, were occupying post at Saihan, 4 miles
distant. I sent General Delamain this morning with three battalions and two Mountain
Kattenes to turn them out. which was successfully accomplished after a sharp action in which
H.M.b. Odtn and Espiegle co-operated. Enemy’s entrenched camp was captured and his
losses were very heavy. We took several prisoners, including a Turkish Major, and destroyed
two machine guns. I consider this action highly creditable to General Delamain and'all
engaged. Enemy had four mountain guns in action. 1 hope to advance shortly.
No. V
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 16/4 November 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Barrett’s telegram of 16th November. Please convey my congratulations to Force “ D ”
on its initial success.
Consequent on this if political situation as regards Arabs is favourable, and if military
situation renders immediate advance both practicable and advisable with the force now at
Barrett’s disposal, 1 presume you will instruct him to continue movement, Cabinet having
approved capture of Basra as immediate objective of Force. Otherwise Barrett should await
arrival of remainder of Division before attacking Basra. How far can ships co-operate in
movement considering obstructions in river ?
Impress on Barrett necessity of conciliating Arabs in every possible way. Basra, if
possible, should be treated as a friendly and not an enemy town, and every effort made to
restore confidence.
No. \
Gmend liar reft to Secretary of State for India, dated 16/4 November 1914 .
(Telegraphic.)
Disembarkation continued to-day. All troops now landed except two Field Batteries
delayed by late arrival of ship. 1 propose moving camp 8 miles forwards on Turkish bank
to-morrow to safeguard Sheikh of Mohammerah, who is threatened bv Turks. We shall
probably meet-with resistance.
No. 5f.
Briyadier-<lenerat IP. S. Delamain. C B„ D.S.O., to Chief of Genera! Staff, Simla.
dated 16/4 November 1914.
(Extract.)
On the arrival of Lieutenant-General Sir A. A. Barrett at this camp, and on conclusion of
my period of independent command, J have the honour to report as follows:
The force under my command, known as I.E.F. “ D,” left Bombay on the 16th October
in four transports, part of a large convoy. On 19th October we parted company and steered
tor Bahrein Islands, under escort of H.M.S. Ocean. No. 1 Brigade, Indian Mountain
Artillery, joined the force off Jask on the 23rd. We arrived on the 21st and anchored off
Manama. Here we remained until the 2nd November. On that date the Force sailed for
the mouth of the Shatt-el-Arab in compliance with instructions contained in your radio-
telegram. Pilots were taken on board off Bushire, and the Force arrived at the outer
liar of the river on the evening of the 3rd November. The 4th and 5th November were
occupied with naval preparations, and the transports themselves were prepared with bullet-
ju'oof cover on the upper decks for the use of parties detailed for covering fire. Major
Kadcliffe, 2nd Dorset Regiment, returned from Koweit on 5th with information that the Fort
was m ruins, but that guns were in position. A landing force was detailed for the capture of
fao, under Lieu tenant-Colonel H. L. Rosher, 2nd Dorset Regiment, and orders issued. On
the 5th the transports crossed the outer bar of the Shatt-el-Arab and anchored just outside
the inner bar. At (5 a.m. on 6th November H.M.S. Odin, preceded by launches sweeping
tor mines, stood in and bombarded the Turkish guns outside the Fort, 3 miles south-east of
the telegraph station at Fao. The hostile guns were soon silenced; they were well served
for a time and hit the Odm twice. On the signal being made that the guns were silenced
the transports / maria and Varela advanced in that order, eacli towing eight boats
lull of troops alongside ; the Mashona (armed launch) towed seven boats full of troops, and
the Royal Navy steam launches towed the detachment of Marines from H.M.S. Ocean.
Off the telegraph station the boats were cast off and made for the shore. Some 600 Infantrv
1 a ruled with one-section, Mountain Artillery, complete with mules and one squad. Sappers
and Miners. There was no opposition. When the 1st and 2nd reinforcements had also
landed, t olonel Rosher assembled his force and marched south-eastwards to occupy the Fort
This was accomplished during the night of the 6th-7th, the guns were dismounted and
thrown into the river, and Colonel Rosher’s command returned to Fao. While the troops
who had landed were being re-embarked on the 7th November, the General Officer Com
manding with remaining transports proceeded up the river till within sight of the Oil
Refinery on Abadan Island. On the 8th November the river was reconnoitred for a suitable
landing place. A firm high bank, with deep water close up to it, was found at Saniveh ; the
t ransports were called up and troops began to disembark. The disembarkation continued
during 9th and 10th November, being practically complete by evening of latter date. On
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