"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية. الحملة في بلاد الرافدين ١٩١٤-١٩١٨. المجلد IV". [و‎‎٥‎٦] (٥٤٠/١١٦)

ACTION OF TIKRIT
83
Hus f r S and a squadron 13th Lancers to make a mounted attack
B Squadron of the 13th Hussars, followed by “ G " Squadron
m support, was sent to advance and locate the Turkish trench
line about one and a half miles to its front and from there
to sweep to the right up the trench towards the left flank
of our infantry. The two remaining squadrons 13th Hussars
would follow in reserve and also the squadron 13th Lancers.
Under cover of the smoke and dust of the artillery barrage
which still hung about, “ B ” Squadron 13th Hussars reached
its destination without opposition and finding our infantry
there in position waited till “ C ” Squadron joined it. Captain
Robinson, commanding “ B ” Squadron, could see 300 to 400
lurks massing some 1,100 yards away to his left and left
front and, realising that it was the only way in which he could
carry out his mission to assist the infantry, he wheeled the two
squadrons to the left and amid the cheers of the infantry
charged the enemy, going right through them. Captain
Robinson liimself was killed at close quarters in the advance
and the two squadrons, having passed through the enemy,
turned about, went through the Turks again and pulled up
near the infantry. They had come under considerable rifle
and machine gun fire during their advance and also under
artillery fire during their return charge, but it was ill-directed
and owing to that and the growing darkness* they had only
sustained about 28 casualties among the 100 men or so composing
the two squadrons, hhey are believed to have accounted
for at least double that number of the enemy.
Owing to the dust and the failing light the supporting
squadrons had at first lost sight of “ B ” and “ C ” squadrons,
but learnt where they were from our infantry and proceeded
to follow them up till they were seen retiring. As, however, it
was getting too dark to continue, the supporting squadrons with-
diew and, dismounting a short distance from the enemy’s
trenches, covered the withdrawal of the wounded and of men
whose horses had been killed.
In the meantime the Seaforths and 125th (19th Brigade)
had pushed on without serious opposition for about half a
mile and, as darkness came on, consolidated their gains and
pushed out patrols. The 92nd Punjabis (19th Brigade) moved
up into the Turkish trenches on the right of the 8 th Brigade
and the 28th Punjabis were withdrawn to form 19th Brigade
Reserve. The 28th Infantry Brigade had reached the Jibin
Wadi about 3 p.m. and remained there as Divisional Reserve ;
* Sunset was just after 5 p.m.