"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية. الحملة في بلاد الرافدين ١٩١٤-١٩١٨. المجلد II." [ظ‎‎٢‎١‎٩] (٦٦٠/٤٤٧)

402 HISTORY OF THE WAR : MESOPOTAMIA
portion of them were obscured by scrub, although they appeared
to be only lightly held. At this part of the line the Turkish
and British trenches were about four hundred yards apart
though their piquets were only about seventy-five yards from
each other. A great part of the ground on the right bank
dried up during the day, and work on embankments and cause
ways was pushed on with all speed.
It has already been mentioned how General Lake’s scheme
for re-victualling Kut by sending a steamer to try and run the
gauntlet of the Turkish positions at night had been rejected*
General Lake, however, was not altogether satisfied that the
idea was impracticable and he took the opportunity of a visit
of inspection by Vice-Admiral Sir R. Wemyss,f who arrived
at the front on the 12th April, to discuss the question with
him. General Lake felt that the recent failures in the opera
tions had been due rather to bad weather and floods than to
the fighting powers of the Turks ; and he was, therefore,
of opinion that if he could gain more time for necessary prepara
tions, future attacks would stand a better chance of effecting
the relief of Kut. At this time floods had rendered the road
from Amara to the front quite impassable by troops marching;
all the available steamers were required to bring up supplies,
stores and ammunition for the troops already at the front; and,
in consequence, some reinforcements at Amara could not be
got up to join General Gorringe to replace his casualties. More
over, the extent and nature of the floods had made it evident
that, for any attack under these conditions, time for necessary
preparation was essential if success was to be ensured.
Admiral Wemyss at once went into the question. On the
13th he informed General Lake that he considered the chances
of success to be so small that, though he was prepared to
undertake the attempt as a last resource, he wished to be
assured that it would, if successful, add definitely to the chances
of relief. Otherwise, he did not consider it fair to call for
volunteers for the attempt, although he knew that he would
get them. General Lake gave him the required assurance and
asked him to select from the river steamers the one which he
considered most suitable for the purpose. The Julnar was
selected ; and on the 14th orders were issued for arrangements
to be made as secretly and expeditiously as possible to prepare
her for the attempt which the navy would make if other means
failed to effect the relief.
* See page 361.
t Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Squadron.