‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 32. PART II. (From 16th to 31st March 1917.)’ [‎5r] (14/294)

Clear telegram No. K.-5281, dated 15th March 1917. APPENDIX 204
(Despatched 10-20 p.m., 15th March 1917; received 3-30 a.m., 16th (i)^. A’o. 17716)
March 1917.)
From—The Cable Censor, Karachi,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
Following from General Officer Commanding, Force “ I) 3 ,, addressed Chief,
General Staff, repeated Candler to London :— Begins. 12th March, Baghdad.
Last fighting before Baghdad is likely to become historic on account of
splendid gallantry of our troops in crossing of Dialah river. After action at
Lajj, Turkish rearguard fell back on Dialah. destroying bridge which crosses
stream at its junction with Tigris. We pushed on in pursuit on left bank, send
ing cavalry and 2 columns of infantry tc work round on right bank and enter
Baghdad from west. Speed in following up was essential and column attacking
Dialah was faced with another crossing in which element of surprise was eli
minated. Village lies on both banks stream, which is 120 yards wide, houses,
trees, nullah, walled gardens made it impossible build road and ramps quickly
and bring up pontoons without betraying point of embarkation, hence old
bridgehead site was chosen. Attack on night 7th was checked, but quality of
courage shown by our men has never been surpassed in war; immediately
first pontoon was lowered over damp, whole launching party was shot down
in few seconds. It was bright moonlight and Turks had concentrated their
machine guns and rifles in houses on opposite bank. Second pontoon had
got int > middle of stream when terrific fusilade was opened on it, crew of
5 rowers and 10 riflemen were killed but there was no holding back; the orders
still held to secure the passage. Crew after crew pushed off to an obvious and
certain death, the third crossing party was exterminated in the same way and
the pontoons drifted out to the Tigris to float past our camp in the daylight
with their freight of dead. The drafts who went over were raised by volunteers
from other battalions in the brigade; these and the sappers on the bank share
the honour of the night with the attacking battalion. Nothing stopped them
save the loss of the pontoons. A Lancashire man remarked <c It’s a bit hot here,
but let’s try higher up,” but the gallant fellows were reduced to their last boat.
Another regiment, which was to cross higher up, were delayed as the boats had
to be carried nearly a mile across country to the stream. After failure of
Bridge-head passage second crossing was cancelled, but the men were still game.
On second night attempt was pursued w r ith equal gallantry; this time attack
was preceded by bombardment. Begistering by artillery had been impossible
on 1st day in speed of pursuit. It was the barrage that secured us the footing,
not shells but the dust raised by them. This was so thick that you could not
see your hand in front of your face, it formed a curtain behind which 10 boats
were able to cross. Afterwards, in clear moonlight, when the curtain of dust
had lifted, conditions of the night before were established. Succeeding crossing
parties were exterminated, pontoons drifted away but footing was secured.
Dust served us well; crew of one boat which lost its way during barrage were
untouched but they did not make bank in time. Directly air cleared machine
gun was opened on them, rowers were shot down, pontoon drifted back to shore.
A sergeant called to volunteers to get wounded out of boat; party of 12 men
went over river bund, every mau of them, as well as crew of pontoon, was
killed.
Some 60 men had got over. These joined up and started bombing along
the bank. They were soon heavily pressed by Turks on both flanks and found
themselves between two woods. Here they discovered a providential natural
position. A break in river bund had been repaired by new bund built in a
i moon on landward side, this formed perfect lunette. The Lancashire men,
surrounded on all sides but the river, held it through night, all the next day and
next night, against repeated and determined attacks. These attacks were delivered
at dark or at dawn. Turks only attacked once in daylight, as our machine guns
on other bank swept ground in front of position. 20 yards west of lunette there
was thin grove mulberries and palms ; position was most vulnerable on this
side and it was here Turkish counter-attacks were most frequent. Our intense,
intermittent artillery fire day and night afforded some protection. Whole affair
was visible to our troops on south side who were able to make themselves heard
by shouting. Attempts to get cable across, with rocket, for passage of ammuni
tion failed ; at midnight 9th-10th Turks were on top of parapet but were driven
back; one more determined rush would have carried the lunette but little
garrison, now reduced to 40, kept their heads, and maintained control of fire.