'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎111r] (224/256)

-
Ml)
siml Le Mt'smier never succeeded in rejoining main body, and fell victims to misplaced
confidence in Arabs. liemainder of reconnaissance under Lieutenant Forbes took up
successive? positions and fought their way back to Karun 3.30 p.m., 29tli. Melliss with
tith Cavalry Brigade, 30th Brigade, 63rd Battery and convoy of supplies marched morning of
1st May beyond Slialtagh and recovered and buried bodies of all three missing officers.
Melliss reports that lie has found good situation for base depot for supplies in vicinity of
Shaltagh. Work of repairing oil pipe line is expected to commence within fortnight.
No.^HWL
<leaf'rul Xi.eoti to Secretary of State for India, dated 3rd May 1915.
//Ztf
(Telegraphic.)
On Karun line cavalry reconnaissance on 1st May came up with hostile Arabs in act of
crossing Kharkeh four miles down stream Kut Nahr Hasliim. Arabs got across but
abandoned all their effects. Gorringe is continuing to put supplies into advanced base dep<M
in vicinity of Shaltagh and anticipates completion on 4th instant of concentration thei’e of his
whole force, less 4th Rajputs left to garrison Ahwaz, and commencement of crossing of
Kharkeh on same date.
No.'m*
(toneral Xi.ron to Secretary of State for India, dated 1th May 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Gorringe reports at 12.26 a.in., 7th, from Knt Nahr Hashim:—
•• Arrived here with bridge train evening of 6th and hope by dawn of 7th to commence
passage of river at point four miles up stream, with cavalry demonstrating against Beni Turuf,
west of Sayyid All. Latest information both here and from Ahwaz corroborates that all
Turks and guns are still awaiting transport, and that Beni Turuf are urging Turks to support
them in opposing our advance."
No.*m
(leneral X'i.von to Secretary of State for India, dated 1 Oth May 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
On Karun line General Gorringe carried out reconnaissance in force with cavalry brigade
on 14th and found Bisaitin clear of Turks. Returning rid Khafajiyah, reconnaissance
co-operated with General Melliss' Brigade in operations against Beni Turuf who attacked our
patrols on 12fh. Heat intense.
No,
General Ni.ron to Secretary of State far India, dated \t)th May 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
General Gorringe reports from Khafajiyah at 16th, that on 15th operations were continued
against Beni Turuf, the tribe who behaved treacherously on 29th April, and who have
attacked us on several occasions befoi*e and since. General Mellis forced passage from
right bank to left of Kharkeh river at Khajajiyah, being opposed by about 1,000 Arabs. A
similar number opposed General Lean, who with two battalions forced his way down Kharkeh
left bank and in spite of many obstacles, including Unmachiyeh canal, which his troops swam,
joined bands with Mellis on night of 15th-16th. During Mellis's crossing, Subadar-Major of
76th Punjabis conspicuously distinguished himself. Some 50 Arabs stubbornly defended a
fort from which they were finally dislodged by 76th Punjabis, covered by a heavy fire from
guns, maxims, and rifles. The heat was intense throughout these operations.
No.>8i^
ireneral X'.ron to Secretary of State for India, dated 17/// May 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Anglo Persian Oil Company have now got parties out repairing pipe line under tribal
escort. On Karun line General Gorringe reports from Khafajiyah, 11.30 p.m., 16th, that
operations against Beni Turuf were completed on 16th ; small opposition was met, casualties
only 2 wounded. Enemy’s losses during whole operations uncertain, 100 bodies were found
and several wounded. Maxim belts and other Government equipment lost on 3rd March have
been recovered.
No.m
I leneral Xi.ron to Secretary of State for India, dated IS/// May 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
1 directed General Gorringe to do what he could to make Turks think that he is advancing
on Amara, and he is consequently demonstrating against i isaitin with a force under General
Lean and with remainder of his force is returning to Ilia on 19th.
D 2
/
Gr
J id
jit!
/
It
1