"بلاد الرافدين. اللجنة" [ظ‎‎٨‎٢] (٢٥٦/١٦٧)

permit. Report just received from naval gunboats states Sarnann aground 8 mdih abo\c Kut
with steering gear badly damaged. Shaitan and Comet at 10 a.rn., 30th arrived and engaged
Turkish steamer Basrah aground at range of 6,500 yards. Busrah replied uith lout guns,
but was apparently hit and at one time on fire. Pioneers returned to assist un< go h i
Gunboats then chased, but were tired on at 11 a.m. by two guns of cavalry raiding party
under Subri Bey returning from Sheikh Saad- Gunboats carried on and came up with two
boat-loads of ammunition abandoned by Basrah, but getting into difficulties at bad crossing,
returned to avoid being caught aground by Subri. They got back safely and observed lurks
being hotly attacked by Arabs. One gunboat is standing by bamana, hut others returned
here to report, and will lead Townshend s river column 1st Octobei. Ko) a x av } icpoits
navigation difficult above Kut, channel shifting and several bad eiossings o\ 11 w nc i s ups
must kedge.
No. 180.
General Ni.ron to Secretary of State for India, dated 2nd October 191.1.
(Telegraphic.)
Tigris line: Retreating Turkish forces were located by aircraft reconnaissance afternoon
of 2nd October as follows Straggling column total length two miles, mostly infantry, head
of column on Baghdad road 13 miles south-east of Suliman Pak. Infantiy column t\\o rn.les
long halted with bead midway between Daur Gherbi and Abdulla Abu Muatif. Majority of
cavalry halted on right bank at mouth of Aziziyah loop. Three paddle steamers and a tug;
between Khannasah and Jubail. Our river column reached point three miles up stream of
Baghaila at dusk on 2nd October, having been beset by navigation difficulties throughout the
day. Officer lately arrived from campaign in France states that trenches captured by Dorset
Regiment and 117th Mahrattas in battle of Kut on 28th September were superior to any
German trenches that he saw in France.
No. 181.
General Ni.ron to Secretary of State for India, dated 3rd October 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Our river column is now only at Shidhaif Ash Sharqi, and no chance of surprising or
stampeding their remainders. I consider I am strong enough to open road to Baghdad, and
with this intention I propose to concentrate at Aziziyah. But this concentration must he partly
by land. Families of Germans and Turkish officials are said to he leaving Baghdad for
Aleppo. From military point of view it is highly desirable to capture enemy’s steamers
which at this season cannot get far up stream of Baghdad.
No. 182.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 4-th October 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
1 shall be glad to know what Nixon’s present intentions are, as if, owing to navigation
troubles, there is no probability of catching and smashing the retreating enemy there is no
object in continuing the pursuit.
The orders com eyed in my telegrams of 24th April and 6 th August still hold good,
subject to course of events at Baghdad and elsewhere and to the recommendations you may
now make.
Please cable your estimate of enemy’s present strength in Mesopotamia.
No. 183.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 4>th October 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Private. My telegram of to-day about Nixon’s plans. Your private letter of 10th
September seems to render it imperative to stop Nixon’s further advance. 1 shall be grateful
for early communication of your views.
No. 184.
General Nixon to Secretary of State for India, dated -ith October 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Reported that evening 4th our cavalry reached Aziziyah.
No, 185.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated bth October 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Private. My private telegram of 4th instant. Nixon’s advance. Cabinet, to whom
position was reported yesterday, decided to appoint Committee of General Staff, Admiralty,
Foreign and India Offices to consider in all its aspects possibility and policy of' advance on
Baghdad. Political reasons were thought to make occupation desirable as isolating Germans