"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية. الحملة في بلاد الرافدين ١٩١٤-١٩١٨. المجلد II." [و‎‎٤‎٧] (٦٦٠/١٠٠)

PLAN OF ATTACK
of separated forces so timed as to strike the enemy’s front and
flal ! k a u ' s ^ mi j} taneousl y» few, if any, reserves being retained
m hand by the Commander-in-Chief.” To carry this out he
divided his force into three portions :
The preparatory attack. Column “ C.”
The turning attack. Column “ B ” with the “ Flying
Column ” co-operating. 5
The decisive attack. Column “ A.”
General Townshend anticipated that the Turks would expect
him to repeat the plan he had carried out at the battle of
Kut, when he had divided his force into only two portions, and
that in consequence they would endeavour to meet his turning
attack with their reserve from Qusaiba. When this happened
3 J^d the Turkish reserve became fully engaged with his turning
attack, General Townshend hoped to effect a successful surprise
by the delivery of his decisive attack on “ V.P.”
General Hoghton s column (Column C) was to attack and
hold to its ground that wing of the enemy, on the left bank
of the river, which was furthest from his line of retreat. The
column was to move on the 21 st to a point about two miles
north-east of Bustan, preparatory to its advance next morning
at daylight.* This advance was to be directed against the part
of the Turkish trenches extending for about five hundred yards
on each side of the work known later as “ Water Redoubt.”
General Hoghton was instructed to work his way forward and
establish his line within long rifle-range of the enemy, if possible.
His role was not only, he was told, ” to pin the enemy down in
his position, but by making a great display and pretence of force
to induce the enemy to bring reserves to this menaced part
of his position.” He was further instructed not to make his
attack a decisive one until he saw General Delamain’s column
moving forward ; and then, having got into the enemy’s
position, he was to sweep southward to assist the naval flotilla
in its passage through the “cut.”
The Naval flotilla f (i.e., Firefly, Comet, Shaitan, Sumana,
four 4* 7-inch guns in horseboats towed by Shushan and
Mahsoudi and two 5-inch guns of the 86 th Battery in barges)
was to sweep with its fire the hostile position south-westward
of ” High Wall,” engaging hostile guns and infantry located in
that area, and to watch carefully for any hostile infantry
advance along the right bank directed towards the boat-bridge
at Lajj. As regards pursuit a free hand was left to the Senior
Naval Officer.
* Sunrise was at 6.30 a.m.
t Captain Nunn arrived on the 22nd and directed the naval operations.