"بلاد الرافدين. اللجنة" [و‎‎٨‎٢] (٢٥٦/١٦٦)

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No. 176
General Nlmn to Secretary of State for India, dated 29th September 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
28th September 1915. Tigris line, tith Division operations on 28th were completely
successful. Enemy s position is long one astride river on both banks, seven miles east of Kut,
extending six miles from left bank. The place of attack was well conceived, and detached
force of two brigades under Delamain after demonstration on 27th crossed from the right
bank, and by means of a night march gained enemy’s left, the northern extremity of which
was carried at 10 a.m. by a gallant attack. Remainder of this portion of position was carried
by 2 p.m. after much opposition. By the evening force had advanced west of position strongly
entrenched and wired in which another brigade had pinned enemy all day. Troops
bivouacked in their position when darkness fell and operations will be resumed 29th. The
ca\<ih^ and armoured motor cars guarded outer flank and were engaged against Turkish
cavalry all day. The Turks fought with the greatest tenacity and had^be dislodged trench
by trench. Their losses in dead were very severe, and the trenches were full of corpses.
Several hundred prisoners and some guns were captured, also many rifles, and quantities of
ammunition. Our casualties are believed to be under 500.
No. 177.
General Xuvn to Secretary of State for India, dated 29th September 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Last night, 28th, Delamain when moving to attack rear of enemy’s position became aware
of strong Turkish reinforcements marching parallel to him. He attacked and routed these
after severe fighting lasting till dark, capturing four guns; casualties were 1,200. Enemy’s
main position was found unoccupied early this morning. Aeroplane reconnaissance shows
Turks in flight by river and road towards Baghdad, our cavalry entering Kat, river column
moving in pursuit. Regret to report gallant officer, Lieutenant-Commander E. C. Cookson, R.X.,
senior naval officer, was killed last night in gunboat attack on river obstruction while
personally engaged in cutting wire. The naval gunboats had been handled by him with
greatest daring and effect during two days’ operations.
No. 178.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated 29th September 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Tigris line. The pursuit of the defeated Turkish forces was taken up early morning 29th
bv naval gunboats and our cavalry. General Townshend follows with the leading infantry
brigade. Enemy’s troops were seen by aeroplane morning 29th, retreating in column 4 miles
long up left bank Tigris, about 10 miles above Sukident (?) as crow flies. Aeroplane also
dropped bombs on large steamer believed to be Khalifa, which at once made for bank, and is
believed to have been injured. One brigade is clearing up battlefield. Total prisoners
captured by us lip to date, 1,650 ; more coming in. Inspection of captured position shows
defences have been designed and constructed on the latest and most approved principles, and
with remarkable thoroughness and study of detail. Communication trenches extended for
miles, ranges marked by flags, arrangements were made for embarking troops and covering
their retirement. There was an elaborate system of observation and contact mines. A
number of these were exploded by our Engineers without accident, but severe casualties were
caused by mines during action. The field of fire was everywhere flat and open. Nur-ed-din’s
force during late battle consisted of six squadrons cavalry, 26 guns, and 35th, 38th Infantry
battalions plus certain other formations, aggregating some four extra battalions. His total
force is estimated to have been some 7,000 or 8,000 regular troops assisted by considerable
number of tribesmen. General headquarters are one mile down stream of Kut. Weather
last two days decidedly cooler. Of our wounded, a large proportion are only slightly injured,
and as a whole are doing well. Health and spirits of troops excellent.
No. 179.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated 1st October 1915.
Personal inspection on 29th of enemy’s position, described in my telegram of
9th September greatly impressed me, with skilful plan of its capture adopted b} Major-
ieneral Townshend in his attack on 28th. I am convinced that his scheme of turning the
'urkish left and o-etting in the rear of the centre of the position was the only manoeuvre
'hereby the enemy could be dislodged without our incurring enormous losses Any scheme
ntailini direct assault of any portion of line would have inevitably proved most costly,
'hree air reconnaissances from Kut have located the retreating T urkish force Rearguard
two trims with it One enemy steamer was seen, apparently m difficulties, close to
Ou" p«»»it on 30th has been dogged by persistent bad lack. One of one three
linboats has stuck in shoal 8 miles up-stream at Kut a^d although foot channel m v.c.mty
f Knt was reconnoitred on night of 29th/30th, shifting sandbanks held our nver column
hrough the dayli-ht hours on 30th. and it was not till dusk that ships were got through
nr cavalry have however, pushed ahead, and river column proceed up-stream from Kut at
wliX 1st October. HaJinder of Division concentrate at Kut as soon as circumstances
k< J ’