"دراسة نقدية عن الحملة في ميسوبوتاميا حتى أبريل ١٩١٧: الجزء I - تقرير" [و‎‎٦‎٥] (٤٢٤/١٣٤)

109
Owing to delay in passing over the bridge it was found that the 19th
and 20th Batteries would not be available at noon for the support of
Younghusband's attack. Genera] Aylmer, however, placed the 72nd
Howitzer Battery at his disposal, and sent instructions that the attack
was to proceed. Accordingly, at about 1145 the 19th Brigade
advanced in a north westerly direction in two lines of columns with a
distance of 500 yards between the lines. On the left were the 2nd Sea-
forth Highlanders, on the right the 125th, less one company which formed
the Brigade reserve. Then came one company of the 28th, the other was
escorting transport, and the machine guns of the Brigade moved on the
right of the second line. The 16th Cavalry were on the right of the 10th
Infantry Brigade, but a section of this regiment was also detailed co
guide the Seaforths on to the right flank of the 35th Brigade.
The units of the 19th Brigade did not at first meet with any opposi
tion, but between 1330 and 1400 an officer of the improvised staff
of the 7th Division rode up from Younghusband's Headquarters and
pointed out that the Brigade had moved too far to the north, and that,
in consequence, there was now a gap between the 19th and 35th Brigades..
This must be filled up by the 21st Infantry Brigade, which, after advancing
for some distance, had halted, at 1320 so as to enable the 19th
Brigade to move into position, and was about to cook dinners. The
staff officer then gave instructions that the 19th Brigade was to tuin to
the left, march forward for about 1,C00 yards and then, after: wheeling
to its left, deliver an attack. The troops, therefore, proceeded in the new
direction, and soon afterwards a body of Turks, who were engaged in
excavating trenches, came suddenly in sight out of the haze on the right
of the British and net more than from 1,200 to 1,500 yards away. Mean
while orders had boen issued to the Black Watch and 6th Jats of the
21st Brigade to fill in the interval between the 19th and 35th Brigades,
and these units had moved rapidly forward in artillery formation <;o do
so.
The Turks did not at once open fire, and some of the units of the
19th Infantry Brigade were given time in which to adopt extended order
but the leading companies, as well as those of the Black Watch and 6th
Jats, then found themselves under heavy musketry from two sides, and
also under shell fire from their right rear. As was only natural the British
now faced in both directions, and further endeavoured, although without
the assistance of gun fire, to close with and evict the enemy by means of
a rapid advance. The supports were soon absorbed in the fight, but the
efforts of the troops were unavailing; and, at about 15C0 after
suffering very serious losses, a body of men consisting of about half
of the Seaforths and half of the 125th, who had rushed foiward right
into the eye of the sun, was brought to a stand still 250 yards from the
left flank of the main Turkish position, their own left being in touch