'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎116v] (235/256)

'’•unboats lias stuck in shoal 8 miles up-stream at Kut, and although foot channel in vicinity
of Knl was reconnoitred on night of 29111/3011), shifting sandbanks field our river column
through the daylight hours on 30th, and it was not till dusk that ships were got through.
Our cavalry have, however, pushed ahead, and river column proceed up-stream from Kut at
daylight, 1st October. Ramainder of Division concentrate at Kut as soon as circumstances
permit. Report just received from naval gunboats states Sa-mana aground 8 miles above Kut
with steering gear badly damaged. Shaitan and Comet at 10 a.m., 30th arrived, and engaged
Turkish steamer Hnsrah aground at range of 0,500 yards. Busrah replied with four guns,
but was apparently hit and at one time on fire. Pioneers returned to assist and got her off.
(;unboats then chased, but were fired on at 11 a.m. by two guns of cavalry raiding party
under Subri Bey returning from Sheikh Saad. Gunboats carried on and came up with two
boat-loads of ammunition abandoned by Busrah. but getting into difficulties at bad crossing,
returned to avoid being caught aground by Subri. They got back safely and observed i urks
being hotly attacked by Arabs. One gunboat is standing by Samana, but others returned
here to report, and will lead Townshend's river column dst October. Royal Navy reports
navigation difficult above Kut. channel shifting and several bad crossings over which ships
must kedge.
No. 1E6.
(ieueral Xi.ro 7 i to Secretanj of State for India, dated '2nd October 191;>.
(Telegraphic.)
Tigris line: Retreating Turkish forces were located by aircraft reconnaissance afternoon
of 2nd October as follows :—Straggling column total length two miles, mostly infantry, head
of column on Bagdad road 13 miles south-east ol Suhman 1 ak. Infantr\ column two miles
long halted with head midway between Daur Gherbi and Abdulla Abu Muatif. Majority of
cavalry halted on right bank at mouth of Azi/.iyah loop. Three paddle steamers and a tug;
between Khannasah and Jnbail. Our river column reached point three miles up stream of
Baghaila at dusk on 2nd October, having been beset by navigation difficulties throughout the
dav. Officer lately arrived from campaign in France states that trenches captured by Dorset
Regiment and 117th Mahrattas in battle of Kut on 28th September were superior to any
■German trenches that he saw in France.
General Nixon to Secretart/ of State for India, dated 3rd October 1915.
(Telegraphic.) . .
Our river column is now only at Shidhaif Ash Sharqi, and no chance of surprising or
stampeding their remainders. I consider I am strong enough to open road to Bagdad, and
with this intention I propose to concentrate at Aziziyah. But this concentration must be partly
by land. Families of Germans and Turkish officials are said to lie leaving Bagdad for
Aleppo. From military point of view it is highly desirable to capture enemy’s steamers
which at this season cannot get far up stream of Bagdad.
PART IV.
THE ADVANCE ON BAGDAD.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 4/// October 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
1 shall be glad to know what Nixon’s present intentions are, as if. owing to navigation
troubles, there is no probability of catching and smashing the retreating enemy there is no
object in continuing the pursuit.
The orders conveyed in my telegrams of 24th April and 6th August still hold good,
subject to course of events at Bagdad and elsewhere and to the recommendations you may
now make.
Please cable your estimate of enemy’s present strength in Mesopotamia.
Secretary of State for India tM Viceroy, dated \th October 1915.
(Telegraphic.) / • .
Private. My telegram of to-day aboifr Nixon's plans. Your private letter of 10th
September seems to render it imperative t(/stop Nixon’s further advance. 1 shall be grateful
for early communication of your views, i #
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated Ath October 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Reported that evening 4th our cavalry reached Aziziyah.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated nth October 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
‘ Nixon s advance. Cabinet, to whom
nnsitinn was reported yesterday. M**dd«*I to appumt LAmmUW* of Cenewi FiiGf AfO.iinull*,