"بلاد الرافدين. اللجنة" [و‎‎٧‎٨] (٢٥٦/١٥٨)

29
No. 142,
(reneral \ixon to Secretary of State for India, dated 1st June 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
o.MO a .m., 1 st June 1915. Capture now reported three 16-pounder guns complete with
100 rounds of ammunition and 241 prisoners, including wounded. Our casualties slight.
Returns not yet available. Naval mine sweepers picked up six submarine mines, and Royal
hngmeeis discovered and exploded harmlessly several heavily charged land mines. Small
number of casualties was largely due to concentrated artillery fire, in which accuracy of the
naval guns and Hampshire territorial howitzers was conspicuous.
No. 143.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated 1st June 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Advance continued tins morning and Babran, Meundveblah, Rotah, were found completely
evacuated, many tents left standing. After considerable time spent in sweeping for mines
which were all successfully located, and after reconnoitring obstruction below Rotah naval
flotilla pushed on m pursuit of lurks vvdio were seen m morning retiring in steamers and
mahelas. Obstruction below Rotah was found to have good channel round it. Temperature
to-day 103° in the shade, no wind.
No. 144.
1 iceroy to Secretary oj State for India, dated 2nd June 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
With reference to your telegram dated 28th May, and General Nixon’s telegram of
26th May. General Nixon was instructed on the 27th May that his first object is to expel
Turks from the Lower Tigris below Amarah, thereby securing the safety of Basra and Kurna
from attack from the north, and at the same time guarding the oil supply, as directed in vour
telegram of 24th May. He reports that this operation was to begin on 31st May. Its
progress should give him data which will enable him to give us better the information you
now request. We feel, however, that while military operations are actually in progress, and in
present quite uncertain military situation in Lower Mesopotamia it would be undesirable and
even dangerous to tie him down with precise^ orders which might not fit in with the local
situation which confronts him. He may possibly find himself opposed by superior military
forces on the Tigris which may impose on him a defensive attitude, or he may find himself
strong enough to dominate situation. But neither he nor we can yet say. We therefore
think it desirable for the present not to alter our original instructions to him, which were
sent to you by post on 7th April, except in so far as they have been modified by your
subsequently received directions, and in particular those which directed safeguarding of Pipe
Line, your telegram of 24th May. Under the original instructions he will, as soon as he is in
a position to do so, submit a plan for the occupation of the Basra Vilayet, which includes
Amarah. This he will do with a far more complete knowledge of the local situation than is
now available, and we will then report to you for further orders. AVe should not propose to
authorise any advance beyond Amarah, for which his force is not adequate.
No. 145,
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated 2nd June 1915.
Telegraphic.)
General Townshend reports capture of Turkish river steamboat Mosul early morning
hid June, in good condition. All steamers vvdiich were with Turks in this part appear to have
)een accounted for. About 12 mahelas were overtaken night lst-2nd June, escaped into side
;reeks and were apparently attacked by marsh Arabs, much firing was heard. Quantity of
•ifles and ammunition has been taken besides 250 more regulars, including 15 officers.
Prisoners g'enerallv concur in statement that 4,000 troops vveie opposed tons m fiont Ruina,
•omprising five regular battalions and ten field guns, of which seven have been captured,
ji"’liter with German mines on board has been captured. It is reported that four Germans
led in a motor launch which broke down. Germans fled into the marshes where they have
)al a t Salih Norfolk regiment follows them early morning 3rd June and a brigade will reach
)alat Salih same afternoon. Whole of these movements are taking place by echelons of
loti lias as country traversed is entirely flooded. Enemy s retirements similarly took place by
loats and steamers. Getieral headquarters and land telegraph hue will arrive at Qalat Salih,
rd June.
No. 146.
General Sima to Secretary of State for India, dated 5ft June 1915. I
I ‘ ! i e ?uTived ) at Basra with general headquarters 6 pm. 4th June ami found that General
'ownshend had received surrender of the Governor of Amara at 1,10 p.m. drd June. About