"بلاد الرافدين. اللجنة" [ظ‎‎٧‎٨] (٢٥٦/١٥٩)

30 officers and 700 soldiers laid down the : ' arms and have already been despatched to the Imse.
Actual surrender was made to the verv '•mail force in the Comet and smaller gunboats in
which General Townshend, Senior Naval Officer, and Sir Percy Cox had pushed rapidly ahead
of the transport. Amara now held by two and a half battalions, four heavj guns, and six
guns from naval gunboat flotilla. Transports returned morning 5th June to Kzra s Tomb to
bring up more troops. This necessitated removal night, 4th June, wireless installation fioni
transport and erection on shore and temporary interruption of telegraphic communication as
marsh Arabs between this and Ezra’s Tomb constantly cutting wires. Situation, however,
well in hand, and Chief Political Officer is in touch with leading Sheikhs' local tribes, and
matters should soon settle down and telegraphic communication be secured. After surrender
of Amara small advanced guard of Daghnstani s troops entered the town and were captured.
About 2,000 in rear took alarm and turned off into the marshes. His forces are in very
disorganised state and short of transport and I hope to capture or break them up. Arabs said
to be deserting him. Our total captures to date believed about 80 officers and 2,000 men,
seven field guns, six naval guns, twelve large steel barges and following steamers : passenger
steamer Mosul and three small steamers (^r 1 ) and gunboat Mannariss were sunk. About 1.000/.
in gold, many rifles and much ammunition taken. Among the prisoners are three Germans
and two others were killed bv marsh Arabs.
No. 147.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated oth June 1015.
(Telegraphic.)
All quiet at Amara, at which place general headquarters remain for the present. Leading
local Sheikhs are arriving to receive orders of Government, and on this head 1 will send more
detailed telegram 6 th June. Careful aeroplane reconnaissance morning of 5th June, radius of
30 miles from Amara, failed to discover any sign of the enemy. Daghastani’s unimportant
entrenchments facing north-east, about 15 miles east of Amara, were visited. Naval recon
naissance 40 miles up Tigris from Amara gained information that his forces are reported to
have been retiring by land up Tigris in demoralised condition, part of them having thrown
away their arms. A heavy field gun of Daghastani has been captured to-day. Land telegraph
communications has been established. Local supplies of beef, sheep, fodder, and grain are
abundant. Climate drier and far less trying than that of Basra and Qurnah. Health and
spirits of the troops excellent.
No. 148.
Viceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated hth dune 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Following telegram received from General Nixon at Amarah on 4th June:—
“ General Townshend, accompanied by Captain Nunn, R.N., and Sir Percy Cox in small
gunboat flotilla, received the surrender of the Governor of Amarah, with some 30 officers and
about 700 soldiers, at 1.30 p.m. on 3rd June. Amarah is now occupied by us in force.
Troops captured comprised advanced guard of Turkish forces retiring before Gorringe; main
body following were seen to disperse into marshes. Our total captures up to date, including
above, amount to about 80 officers, 2,000 men, 7 field guns, 6 naval guns on gunboat MarmarisZ
12 large steel barges, 1 large river steamer, and 3 small steamers, and considerable number of
rifles and ammunition of all sorts. Further surrenders expected. Of six Germans with
Turks three are prisoners, two were killed by marsh Arabs, and fate of sixth is doubtful. I
am sending this from Amarah for Your Excellency’s information at once en clair as wireless
is not working well, and I may not be able to despatch further telegrams to-night.”
No. 149.
Viceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated 13/// June 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Nixon wires that he proposes that two Brigades should now move on Nasiriveh in
order to secure Euphrates portion of Basra Vilayet. We concur in this operation which
should have a good effect on the Euphi*ates tribes and propose to instruct him to proceed as
soon as his preparations are complete. His present force should be quite sufficient for the
success of operation and the maintenance of new position.
No. 150.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated 14/A June 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Euphrates line nothing fresh. Tigris line, aeroplane reconnaissance from Aman
14th June, observed camps and trenches on both banks of Tigris at Daqq al Haiiai ei<>l
miles down stream of kut-el-Amaral,, and dropped three bombs on a.iotlUr camp"x L?l<
up stream of hist. 1 loops m the vicinity were estimated at 3,000. Karun line Am-h
ersian Oil Company re-commenced pumping 10th, and oil arrived at Abadan evening’of lit]
lined tianspoit Ihoyua has arrived at asra with reinforcements and stores.