'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎381v] (772/1386)

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It will be seen from the above that the primary and immediate objects
in view were held to be :—
(1) To safeguard the Indian Frontier from the immediate effects of
Jehad. - - - - • v.
(-’) To demonstrate our power to strike, and thus check Turkish
. intrigues amongst the Arabs.
(3) To confirm the Arab Chiefs of Muscat, Bahrein, Koweit and
Mohammerah in their allegiance to us, and incidentally to
encourage the Arabs generally.
(4) To protect the valuable oil installations at Abadan in which the
Admiralty were so largely interested.
These objects commended themselves to Lord Crewe, and on that same
evening he telegraphed warning instructions to the Viceroy on the subject.
On the 2nd October the Viceroy was informed that the Government had
decided to take the action already indicated to him, and that he was to
prepare a force accordingly. On the 3rd October further instructions
were given defining the scope of the action to be taken. “ Except.under
“ absolute military necessity or orders from you no troops must be landed
11 on Turkish territory or other hostile action taken against Turkey,”
and on the 5th October the Viceroy was told specifically,.in answer to a
question, that the object of the Expedition was “ to protect the pipe line and
oil tanks by the occupation of Abadan, to give support to Arabs against
“ Turks, and to'cover landing of any necessary reinforcements.”
Orders were also given for the despatch of the entire. Oth Division
should war with Turkey ensue. Meanwhile the Political Department gave
instruct ions for Major Shakespear to .visit Bin Saood and also laid down
the policy to be followed wit lid he Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Arabs generally.
On the Kith October the advanced Force under Brigadier-General
Delamain left India with the convoy for Egypt under sealed orders and as
previously arranged was diverted to Bahrein, when three days out from
Bombay.
Events marched rapidly ! During thelast half of October many indications
of activity on the part of the Turks and of co-operation with Germany were
reported. On the other hand Bin Saood and the Arab Sheikhs of the Gulf
declared themselves on our side. Meanwhile General Delamain arrived at
Bahrein an the 25rd October and anchored off that island awaiting orders.
Oji the 30th October, in consequence of the hostile action taken by the
Turks against, the Russians in the Black Sea, the flotilla at Bahrein was
ordered i.o sail at once to the Shatt-el-Arab, but did not get away till the 2nd
November.
On the 5th November war with Turkey was declared, and on the same
day the expedition under General Delamain crossed the bar of the Shaft and
anchored. The landing was delayed by bad weather, but on the morning
of the Oth 11. M S. Odin bombarded Eao Fort after which a small force wa^
landed which occupied the Fort without opposition. On the 7th the
expedition reached Abadan.
On the 8th November, General Delamain began disembarking Ids force
on Turkish soil above Abadan. There was an affair of outposts on the 11th.
On the 13th, General Barrett arrived at the mouth of the Shatt-el-Arab with*
the 18th Brigade and some artillery and cavalry. On the 11th he readied
Saniyah, and on the loth Delamain’s Brigade attacked and drove back the
enemy from Saiban. On the 17th Sir A. Barrett advanced on Zain with
two Brigades and found the enemy strongly entrenched at that point. The
position was held by about 1,500 men with 12 guns. The Turks made a
resolute defence, but were driven from their entrenchments with the Voss
of several guns. This success was decisive. The Turks hastily abandoned
Basra, which was occupied by our troops on the 22hd November
1 he cap Line of Basia niaj he said to have completed the first phase in
the Mesopotamian campaign. Our prestige was restored. A position of
great strategical importance had been secured with little loss. The friend!v
Arabs were confirmed, at least for the time being, m their loyal attitude, and
tk^ oil works at Abadan had been saved from destruction. So far our