"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية. الحملة في بلاد الرافدين ١٩١٤-١٩١٨. المجلد IV". [و‎‎١‎٩‎٦] (٥٤٠/٣٩٦)

T RAN S-CASPIA
331
In Trans-Caspia, the local force in co-operation with the
small Indian contingent undertook an offensive against the
Bolsheviks in October. On the 14th the Bolshevik position
at Dushak was captured with considerable loss to the enemy
mainly owing to the gallantry of the 19th Punjabis. The
enemy fled, pursued by the 28th Light Cavalry, while the
greater part of the Trans-Caspian force dispersed to plunder.
At this stage the enemy, reinforced, made a vigorous counter
attack, which the Trans-Caspian force was in no condition or
was unwilling to face. As a result the Indian troops had also to
retire. The 19th Punjabis incurred 186 casualties, including
all their British officers, and the 28th Light Cavalry 17 casual
ties.* But the Bolsheviks, whose casualties were estimated
at about 1,000, were evidently much disheartened, as they began
to retire four days later, followed up by the Trans-Caspian
force and the Indian contingent, which occupied Merv on the
1st November.
In South Persia, where the situation had improved since
July, it was found necessary in October to despatch, from
Shiraz, a column of some 1,400 Indian troops under Colonel
Orton to deal with the chief leader of disaffection, who had
again managed to collect a considerable following. On the
23rd and 24th October a sharp action ensued, about seventy
miles south of Shiraz, which had most successful and decisive
results. In the meantime the preparations for opening up
the trade route between Bushire and Shiraz, by operations
from the former place, had been delayed by a severe outbreak
of influenza among the British force.
The total British casualties during the campaign in Mesopo
tamia amounted to 92,501. Of these 14,814 were killed or
died of wounds, 12,807 died of disease, 51,386 were wounded
and 13,494 were taken prisoner or were missing.
Of the Turkish casualties we have no accurate knowledge,
though they are believed to have totalled at least double the
British casualties; and our actual captures amounted to
45,500 officers and men, 250 guns and immense quantities of
war material of all descriptions.
In concluding this account of the campaign it is necessary
to point out that, although little has been said in these pages
of the work of the administrative units, the results achieved
were not due solely to the skill, leadership, gallantry and
endurance of the fighting troops. The officers and men of the
* The total strength of the 19th was about 500 rifles and that of the 28th
Light Cavalry two weak squadrons.