"كتاب أزرق. برقيات أُعيد صياغتها" [و‎‎٦‎١] (١٨٩/١٢١)

N
GENERAL NIXON TO SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA. i^H<u f , lvs
"Gorringe^ reports received here 1st lay state that Anderson
33rd Cavalry with one squadron of his regiment and one
squadron 7th Lancers arrived about noon 29th April at old
bed Kharkeh near Imanzuda Ali Ibu Husain where water was
pointed out by the Sheikh of 150 Arabs who were seen. Cavalry
taking military precautions watered by detachments. Anderson
summoned Sheikh, owing to more Arabs collecting and drawing in,
and remaining himself to speak to,Sheikh who came up and said
with excitement that troops must leave, gave orders for the
main body to mount and retire.
Lieutenant Bailward 26th Cavalry was despatched to recall
flank patrols, Lieutenant Forbes, Indian Army Reserve of
Officers attached 7th Lancers / to join main body. Le liesurier
I.A.R.O., was apparently despatched to recall advanced guard.
Owing to its being fired on from flanks, pace was increased
by main body. Le Mesurier, Anderson and Bailward were unable
to rejoin main body and were victims of misplaced trust. Lieut.
Forbes took command ot'remainder and arrived back at Karun 3.30
p.m. 29th, having taken up successive positionsand fought his
way back. The bodies of all three missing Officers were
found and buried by Eelliss, who, morning of 1st Fay, marched
beyond Shaltagh with 6th Cavalry Brigade, 63rd Battery, 30th
Brigade and convoy of supplies - Good situation in vicinity of
Shaltagh for base depot for supplies reported by Felliss. It
is expected that within a fortnight repair of oil pipe line
will commence.
H 0 alS&a
GENERAL NIXON TO SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA, 3RD MAY 1915.
"On