'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎102r] (203/1386)

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Press Coiniminitjue.
The Secretary of State for India communicates the following : -
With the arrival of further considerable reinforcements the Turkish
forces in Mesopotamia have at last resumed their activity by attacking our
positions at Kurna, Ahwaz and Shaiba. The attack on Kurna commenced
on the afternoon of the 11th, and was confined to long-range artillery fire,
which was quite ineffective, as all shells fell short of our entrenchments.
This bombardment was resumed on the 12th with equal negative results, and the
only damage done was the destruction of a portion of the bridge across the
Tigris, which was struck by a floating mine. No infantry attack was
attempted, but a large number of the enemy in native boats
were observed by our troops, and furnished an excellent target
for the guns both on shore and on His Majesty’s ship “ Odin.
The attack on Ahwaz was of a similar character, and confined entirely to
Artillery fire, which continued throughout the 12th. Considerable bodies
of Cavalry shewed themselves to the north, west and south of our position,
but did not attempt to approach within range.
The action at Shaiba was of a much more determined character. At f) a.m.
on the 12th the enemy started under cover ol artillery fire to attack our lines
from the south, south-west, and west, and continued to press the same
till 8 a.m. when their artillery fire slackened and their infantry commenced
entrenching themselves.
The attack from the south was resumed by 2.13 p,m., but was utterly
repulsed by 3 p.m.
During the night of the 12th to 13th the enemy continued sniping into
our lines, varied by bursts of heavy rifle and machine gun lire. Early on
the 13th a cavalry reconnaissance ascertained that some of their
forces had occupied some houses and rising ground about a mile
north of our northern defences. Against this position the General
Officer Commanding decided to assume the offensive, which was
completely successful, the enemy being driven off northwards by 11 a.m.
The direction of his attack was then changed to the West, and met with
equal success, the enemy retiring as we advanced. Our pursuit was stopped
at 2.30 p.m., by which time we had taken prisoner 18 officers and 300 men,
as well as captured two guns and several standards.
According to the statements made by the prisoners it appears that a force
of about 10,000 regular infantry, 1,000 regular cavalry, 28 guns, and some
12,000 Kurds and Arabs had been collected at Nakhailah under Suliman
Askeri and Ali Bey. All of these took part in the engagement of the 13th
excepting some 5,000 Arabs who were concentrating in the South, and were
observed by us in that direction at sunset on the 13th. The prisoners
further stated that the enemy intended continuing these attacks day and
night.
The country between Basra and Shaiba is mostly under water, and our
communications are being harassed and molested by armed parties of the
enemy in small boats.
Our casualties on the 12th are reported to be as follows : —
Killed :— Nil.
Wounded :—
British Officers
Major W. E. Cramer Roberts, Norfolk Regiment.
Captain E. P. Mainwaring White, 120th Rajputana Infantry.
Lieutenant H. E. Haddon, 119th Infantry.
Captain D. M. C. Church, Indian Medical Service, attached 7th
Hariana Lancers.
British rank and file, 23.
Indian Officers, 1.
Indian rank and file, 53.
Indian followers,! 1.
No attacks were made on Kurna and Ahwaz on the 13th.