'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎461v] (933/1386)

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S: M-etaru of Slate to Viceroy, dated V2th Octooer 1915^
1 nvaro.
is proposing
r private telegram cf the Otli instant./ Reinforcements for Ufi&on. Kitcliencr
to tSir Joim l’’rench removal of Indian Infantry from Franqp to Egypt. He
cannot give me definite answer till reply is received. I shall do my utmost to secure complete
Division for Mesopotamia. 1 do not understand why Nixon asks for a tchixe cavaliy r< giireut.
i do not think one is available, and mv advisers consider Indian cavalry more suitable.
WO Ml. A
(Tt legraphic.)
SerrSary of State for In I ’.i to Viceroy, (hied dl.sk October 1915.
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Private. Your ]>rivatt> tedegram of 21st October. Baghdad advance. Report of combined
Stall's estimates t hat Nixon has only some 9,000 Turkish troops a^d some irregulars to deal
wit h for next two mont (is ; that fi’tu kisli forces may be somewhat increased by end of year,
and they might conceivably reach a total of 60,0(1) by end of January and even larger figures
during 1910. They consider th;xt if reinforced by two Indian divisions from France he might
with assistance of river flotilla face risk of attack by 60,000, butyl here would remain possibility
of enemy receiving fit tidier reinforcements at later date. Stall’s hold, therefore, that it would
i) unwise in m j v.rely mi lit at y point of v:e\v to occupy Baghdad unless military authorities
have power to wit In I raw troops at once without regard to political considerations if militat"
exigencies irake this necessary. The War Office would give the two Indian divisions, but
(• ■aid not ruder any c'rcamstarces spare further reinforcements, and are doubtful of fliei'r
<-apacify even to supply drafts if wastage from casualties^or sickness is severe. They think
‘highdad can be taken easily and held fev some time, but,' as explained above, it might become
niienable later. At i resent moment it seems that (Jfcrman attempt to break through to
Constantinople will sneered, and our position and pivjffpects in Gallipoli are most uncertain.
Persia seems drifting into war on German side, whilst"’Arabs are wavering, and unless we can
(IV; r them great inducement will probably join Turks. We are, therefore, in great need of
striking success in tlm Fist both to cheek Persian movement and to wit.
.•i ran
It
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suggested that we should occupy Baghdad, giving''assurances to Arab leaders that wo favour
m cation of Arab State independent of Turks, and that we shall be prepared to consider future
disposition of Baghdad in connection therewith. Is this practicable V Unless you consider
that possibility of eventual withdrawal is decisive against the advance, all other considf rations
seem to us to render it desirable, and wc are prepared to order it.
KoS/ICR A.
<!. u-rV Xixon to War OJice, dated '20th November 1915.
. Teleg: aphie.)
I have received from my own agents similar news regarding a large force under Von dor
(!o!t:'. over a fortnight ago, but tit present 1 do not accept their reports as conclusive for
ons re isom
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Please state the soured of vour information.
li ar Oilier to Oenedfi! Nixon, dated '2’2ud November 1915.
h'grtiTUi ie.)
d’he souae v-
of ( ur in” umntion jure secret service in the Near Fast.. We had made various
. juirics, and recodved coaroborat n e evidence' before sending you the information. As to
feral we have no information, but there is no doubt that the Germans are sending si.\
»re less stations far the expeilitmfi to Bagdad.
rfo a/oti. A
; v y t<> S ‘~r d'ry of State for Lidia, dat'd 3rd Dec inber 1915.
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!■ dlovving telegram dated/X'th November has been received from Nixon :— :
Townsh -rid reports tied on 29;h November east of Flkutunie 14th. Hussars charged and
gat into ctmmy’s mounted troops with sword, accounting for 140 Arabs while Turkish
cavalry ilrl. 7t 1
( ava'rv
ss :red.”
tii liina-T ;/5i!s.) charge l. This clearly justifies my urgent request for In it Fit
would i cjb auotiu.-r regiment of British Cavalry sent if it cun possibly be
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> more i>v
fhei
.sh Cavalry can be spared from India.
rr-r.V A -.ei ! > S r d try of Si ‘ • for Lidia, dated 1th December 191 1.
‘tegraphie.)
1th lie •.ab
General Townsbeml wires, dated as follows
1 am geim’ui for year pnrise
*:n Ctes.phon ti>'K at -el- Amur i is :
of the conduct of the retirement of the Gih Divi.
distance of some 85 miles as the crow flies.
inerior f.rae of the enemv, who managed to take me bv the
in contact
collar om
veemner. out we s: o >!< ourselves free. Regarding the action of 1st December details arc
as below-: F.sCaiutfd 12.00 Turks advanced in long lines on us and wc opened Artiilerv fire
tried then to envelop my left, i.e., mv line of 'retnut.
if 2.500 vards \/it h e: n-hi;
nee
H-
witicn 1 ropaiy i by again fi;rnir.g liis enveh'p with the Cavalry and Horse Artillery gnus,
with result tii/t his crivelnping attack fled. 1 took this ipiportunify to break cdf the battle
m.’ eunmene/d my re reuuetf by echelons of br.gades. We were heavilv slmlletl by high
t xpi.isive l) /■ gn:is. By midday wc bad shaken off the enemy, having lost 250 killed and
wounded. t .\; relic 1 3 ) miles on 1st December, one brigade, the 3Cth, haje marched bO miles n
thi-oe dayy including baitie, and at the end of il their valour and discipline is in no wav
‘liminishe/ and without 1 "S of a gun or a single prisoner even. Never have I saen a retire-
met.T n
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1st December even o
n Meld mameuvres better done as regards supplencs;:
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