"دراسة نقدية عن الحملة في ميسوبوتاميا حتى أبريل ١٩١٧: الجزء I - تقرير" [ظ‎‎١‎٦‎١] (٤٢٤/٣٢٧)

270
order to induce the enemy to think that an attack in that quarter
was likely. ^
Meanwhile preparations for a crossing of the Tigris on the 20th were
earned oat. The following forces were concentrated by the evening west
01 Jjesouia for the contemplated operation :
A.Crocker's Force.
7th Cavalry Brigade ; 40th Brigade of the 13th Division • 1
Battery ; No. 2 Bridging Train.
B. Covering Force (under General Thomson.)
6th Cavalry Brigade; 35th Brigade of the 14th Division
2 Batteries.
C. 37th Brigade of the 14th Division under the direct command of
General Egerton was held in reserve.
3*!™ 1161(1 as hcfcre 13tli Division (less 40th Brigade) to 46
c 3-6, 36th Brigade of the 14th Division thence to the Hai The
Bouthern line of defence from Dujaila to the Hai was taken over by the
.L. of C. Defences.
. 0 o f the 0 P erati oii as given by General Maude in a wire
o He O. 1. Or. S. was " cutting and not merely threatening them (the
enemy s communications) as was previously done."
The plan was as follows :—
Crocker's Force was to move at 0600 on 20th due west from Besouia
until south of the Brick Kilns when it was to change direction to the
north and effect a crossing of the Tigris at that place (44 a 7-1) A
bridgehead was to be established and entrenched. The Force was to be
rationed up to the 21st.
This operation was to be protected by the Covering Force who were
to move to the south and west of Shumran bend and were to shell the
enemy bridge in the Shumran Bend and the shipping on the river and to
divert the Turk s attention from Crocker's Force.
The reserve was to be held in readiness under General Egerton.
While these operations were in progress the I and III Corps were to
shell the enemy trenches on their fronts and to carry out wire cutting.
December 2M.—Crocker's Force were late in getting away from their
bivouacs but by 0730 were outside the line of our piquets and moving
west. After a march of some eight miles they turned north and about
noon entered small parties of the Turks some U miles south of the
rick Kilns. These parties of the enemy were weak and soon retired to
the northern bank of the river.
The Turk apparently was aware of our turning movement and was in
position on the left bank. His force,however, was a small one, estimated
at about one battalion, a section of guns, and a few machine guns