'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎423r] (856/1386)

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of Sth. whsu he hopes to carry position on left bank assisted by enfi adine-fire from
Kemball on opposite bank. Our casualties reported heavy,’ but no details et
received.
Xo. 30.
iclerjram from 1 iceroy to Secretary of State for India,
dated Sth January 1916.
/ < V' J !dr Y ° l ) r < * )ec 'ember. In order to meet an urgent demand from
mneral Othcer (.ommanding Force “D,” the following rolling stock and material
lom tne liglit military railway reserve stock in India is being despatched.
1 ive miles v ail with 83 sets point and crossings and all wagons.
Ibis nil! leave no■ wagons available for Fast Africa; we will report later the
amount oi track still available.
Xo. 10.
7 el eg ram from General l^ixon to Chief of General Staff, India,
dated 0 th January 1016.
IX) 297 1 . 0th. Tigris line, 0th January. Aylmer reports Sth January 10 p.m.
that he was unable to make any progress owing to fatigue of troops. Tie remains
entrenched astride river in contact with enemy. His dispositions are < Rivalry Brigade
and b battalions on right bank, 2 brigades on left bank and 6 battalions in reserve
on left bank. He estimates that he is opposed by 15,000 including Cavalry and
Arabs.
Our casualties in lighting 6 th, 7th and Sth estimated at 3,000. Reinforcements
continue to be pushed up by river and. road as they arrive.
-AttdxalsjHeadquarters 7 th and 9th Tirinutry Brigades, 3 dth-Ri rTrcrr ^—21 rf
Company SiuppinSjai uH ^nQ MeydT^t TkTiul inn Field Ambulance.
1 t epart ijj^s^^Tmttalion
march to join corps.
i 1 stXTurkhas ~ 1 t\ slnjr:—ilrfles, •80tli Rnnjaldo ■ 1 ;y
A'o. 41.
Telegram from General Nixon, to Chief of General Staff, India,
dated January 1913.
120 293/1. 9th January. General Aylmer wires, noon 9th : —
Fnemy has retired up stream, and I am pursuing. Heavy rain makes movement
most difficult.”
Xo. 42.
Telegram from General Nixon to Chief of General Staff, India,
dated 10th January 1916.
129/299 1. 10th January. Tigris line, 10th January. General Aylmer wiring
midnight 9th 10th gives situation as follows :—
Kemball with six battalions and Cavalry Brigade on right bank at Sheikh Saad
Remainder of Corps (less 2 b battalions rear-guard over wounded) on left bank at
Sheikh Saad. Force halts 10th, troops greatly exhausted owing to wet and cold.
Stormy weather prevented air reconnaissance 9th. Present reports indicate enemy’s
retirement on or beyond Grab Shallow vessel with a projecting bow. .
Xo. 43.
Telegram from Sir John Nixon, to Chief of General Staff, India,
daled'lOlh January 1016.
129/300 0 . 10th. Tigris line, 10 th January. General Aylmer’s force halted on
10th at Sheikh Saad. Weather conditions again very unfavourable. Air recon
naissance impossible owing to mist and rain. The deficiency of river craft to which
I have so frequently referred, renders the task of evacuating the wounded intensely