'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎263r] (531/1386)

This document is the property of His Majesty's Secretary of State for India.
SECRET
Telegrams
relating to General Sir John
advance in Mesopotamia.
Nixon's
From Sir John Nixon, Basra, 2[)th September 1915.
(Addressed to Chief of General Staff: repeated to Secretary of State, Foreign,
Inspector-General of Communications, and 12th Division.) ■
30S/172/0, 29/9/15. Continuation of my 129/195/J of 29th. Last night,
28th, Delamain when moving to attack rear of enemy’s position becameaware
of strong Turkish reinforcements marching parallel to him. He attacked
and routed these after severe fighting lasting till dark, capturing fourguns
[corrupt group] casualties were 1,200. Enemy’s main position was
found unoccupied early this morning. Aeroplane reconnaissance shows
Turks in flight by river and road towards Baghdad, our cavalry entering Kat,
river column moving in pursuit. Regret to report gallant officer, Lieutenant
Commander E. C. Cookson, R.N., senior naval officer, was killed last night
in gunboat attack on river obstruction while personally engaged in cutting
wire. The naval gunboats had been handled by him with greatest daring
and effect during two days’ operations.
h rom Sir John Nixon, Basra, 29th September 19.5.
{Addressed Chief of General Staff ; repeated Secretary of State,
Foreign, Inspector-General of Communications, and 12th Division.)
129/196/1. Tigris line. The pursuit of the defeated Turkish forces was
taken up early morning 29th by naval gunboats and our cavalry. General
Townshend follows with the leading infantry brigade in ships/ ? ) 30th.
Enemy’s troops were seen by aeroplane morning 29th retreating in column
four miles long up left bank Tigris about ten miles above Sukident( ? ) as crow
flies. Aeroplane also dropped bombs on large steamer believed to be
“Khalifa,” which at once made for bank and is believed to have been
injured. One brigade is clearing up battlefield. Total prisoners
captiired by us up to date 1,650 ; more coming in. Inspection of captured
position shows defences have been designed and constructed on the latest
and most approved principles and with remarkable thoroughness and study
of detail. Communication trenches extended for miles, ranges marked by
flags, arrangements were made for embarking troops and covering their
retirement. There was an elaborate system of observation and contact mines.
A number of these were exploded by our Engineers without accident,
but severe casualties were caused by mines during action. The field
of fire was everywhere flat and open. Nur-ed-din’s force during late battle
consisted of six squadrons cavalry, 26 guns and 35th, 38th Infantry
battalions plus certain other formations aggregating some four extra
battalions. His total force is estimated to have been some 7,090 to 8,000
regular troops assisted by considerable number of tribesmen. General
headquarters are one mile down stream of Kut (?) Weather last two days
decidedly cooler. Of our wounded a large proportion are only slightly
injured and as a whole are doing well. Health and spirits of troops
excellent.