'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎112r] (226/256)

1 )( .)
No.
GnieraJ A / .ro// Secretary of State for India, dated !*■£ Jnar
/
(Telegraphic.)
5.30 a.m., 1st June 1915. Capture now imported three 16-pounder guns complete with
100 rounds of ammunition and 24-1 prisoners, including wounded. Our casualties slight.
Returns not jet available, ^faval mine sweepers picked up six submarine mines, and Koval
Hiiigmeeis discoxered and exploded harmlessly several heavilv charged land mines. Small
number ol casualties was largely due to concentrated artillery fire, in which accuracv of the
naval guns and Hampshire Territorial howitzers was conspicuous.
No. >*4,
General A i.rou to Secretary of State for India, dated \st Jane 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Advance continued this morning and Bahran, M#undveblah, Kotah, were found comidetelv
evacuated, manj tents left standing - . After considerable time spent m sweeping for mines
which were all successfully located, and after reconnoitring obstruction below Kotah naval
flotilla pushed on in pursuit of lurks who were seen in morning retiring in steamers and
mahelas. Obstruction below Rotah was found to have good channel round it. Temperature
to-day 103° in the shade, no wind.
No.
1 iceroy to Secretary of State far India, dated 2nd Jane 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
\\ ith reference to your telegram dated 28th May. and General Nixon’s telegram of
26th May. General Nixon was instructed on the 27th May that his first object is to expel
Turks from the bower Tigris below Amara, thereby securing the safety of Basra and Kurna
from attack from the north, and at the same time guarding the oil supply, as directed in vour
telegram of 21th May. He reports that this operation was to begin on 31st May. Its
progress should give him data which will enable him to give us better the information you
now request. We feel, however, that while military operations are aetuallv in progress, and in
present quite uncertain military situation in Lower Mesopotamia it would be undesirable and
even dangerous to tie him down with precise orders which might not fit in with the local
situation which confronts him. He may possibly find himself opposed bv superior militarv
foroes on the Tigris which may impose on him a defensive attitude, or he mav find himself
strong enough to dominate situation. But neither he nor we can yet saw We therefore
think it desirable for the present not to alter our original instructions to him. w hich were
sent to \ou by post on 7th April, except in so far as they have been modified bv vour
subsequently received directions, and in particular those which directed safeguarding of Pipe
Line, your telegram of 24th May. Under the original instructions he will, as soon as he is in
a position to do so, submit a plan for the occupation of the Basra Vilayet, which includes
Amara. This he will do with a far more complete knowledge of the local situation than is
now available, and we will then report to you for further orders. We should not propose to
authorise any advance beyond Amara, for which his force is not adequate.
No. ^4.
General Xi.ron to Secretary of State for India, dated 2nd June 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
General Townshend reports capture of Turkish river steamboat Moral earlv morning
2nd June, in good condition. All steamers which were with Turks in this part appear to have
been accounted for. About 12 mahelas were overtaken night lst-2nd June, escaped into side
creeks and were apparently attacked by marsh Arabs, much firing was heard. (Quantity of
rifles and ammunition has been taken besides 250 more regulars, including 15 officers.
Prisoners generally concur in statement that 4,000 troops were opposed tons in front Kurna.
comprising five regular battalions and ten field guns, of which seven have been captured.
Lighter with German mines on board has been captured. It is reported that four Germans
fled in a motor launch which broke down. Germans fled into the marshes where thev have
probably fallen into the hands of unfriendly Arabs. The naval sloops are unable to proceed
upstream of Devil’s Elbow, and General Townshend and Captain Nunn. K.N.. in Gonad (Flag),
with ^1 dici, Shaitan, Semana, Icicis J elly, and tour -1 t guns in horse-boats have proceeded t<*
Qalat Salih. Norfolk regiment follows them early morning 3rd Juno and a brigade wo'11 reach
Qalat Salih same afternoon. Whole of these movements are taking place bv echelons of
flotillas as country traversed is entirely flooded. Enemy’s retirements similarly took place bv
boats and steamers. General headquarters and land telegraph line will arrive at Oalat Salih.
3rd June.
No.
General Xi.ron to Secretary of State for India, dated nth dune 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
I arrived at Basra with general headquarters 6 p.m. 4th June, and found that General
Townshend had received surrender of the Governor of Amara at 1.30 p.m. 3rd June. About
30 officers and 700 soldiers laid down their arms and have already been despatched to the base.
Actual surrender was made to the very small force in the I'omet and smaller gunboats in
which General Townshend, Senior Naval Officer, and Sir Percy Cox had pushed rapidlv ahead
of the transport. Amara now held by two and a half battalions, four heavy guns, and six
guns from naval gunboat flotilla. Transports returned morning 5th June to Ezra's Tomb to