"دراسة نقدية عن الحملة في ميسوبوتاميا حتى أبريل ١٩١٧: الجزء I - تقرير" [و‎‎١‎٠‎٢] (٤٢٤/٢٠٨)

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Situation of our own troops before the battle of Wadi.
On tlie 9tih the enemy had slipped away from the Shaikh Saad posi
tion. W^ had lost 3,793 casualties and a halt was imperative owing to
exhaustion after 3 days fighting. On the 11th preliminary moves were
made for a night march next day. The 19th and 21st Bdes. dug
themselves in | mile N. N. E. of Naasab with the 35th Bde.
N. K E. of camp as a flank guard. It was thus hoped to deceive the
enemy into thinking the halt was to be continued. On the 12th the
bridge which had been delayed owing to wind and weather was estab
lished | mile above Shaikh Saad and Kemball's force passed to the
left bank.
Reinforcements—
9th Gr. R. at Shaikh Saad on 12th.
93rd Inf. at Shaikh Saad on 12th.
1st Gr. R. at Shaikh Saad on 13th.
Manchesters at Shaikh Saad on 15th .
Tigris Corps Order No 9, 12th January 1916.
Reference Degree Sheet 2-L.
1. The enemy still hold the position shown in the sketch issued with
Operation Order No. 8 of 11th January.
2. The intention is to attack the enemy at daylight to-morrow by a
turning movement against his left (northern, flank) with a maximum
force, while his front is engaged with our minimum force.
3. The distribution of the Force will be as shown on Statement " A
attached.
4. Preliminary movement :—
{a) The VII Division will move to a position of assembly after
dark 3 miles east of " Ruins " 7^ miles north-north-west.
of Shaikh Saad.
(6) ihe Cavalry Brigade will follow the YII Division and remain in a
position of assembly to the south-east of that Division when
it halts, until to-morrow morning.
(c) The 28th Brigade will relieve the 19th and 21st Brigades in their
present trenches before dark. During the night it will push
i or ward its line to a position about 1^- miles further towards
the enemy's right, left flank being about 1,000 yards from
river bank and frontage about 1 mile.
{d) The Corps Artillery under cover of the 28th Brigade will move
forward and entrench themselves in position already indicated,
to them by the B. G. R A.