"بلاد الرافدين. اللجنة" [و‎‎١‎٠‎٧] (٢٥٦/٢١٦)

/d7
No.m
Secretary of State for I,alia to Viceroy, dated 23?</ February 1915.
fa
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( Tflegraphic.)
I am anxious reganling Force “ II," as the enemy will every day get stronger, and it esems
\ery desirable that we should smash their advanced forces as soon as possible, otherwise we
may be confronted with a serious attack on Hasra itself. I have endeavoured to get the
War Office to send out further reinforcements to India, but it seems hopeless, and of course
we must recognise the great issues that face us in Fur ope, which they regard as vital to
success and of paramount importance.
Under these circumstances I should be glad if you could see your way to form another
brigade for the Persian Gulf without relief from home. You will be getting three battalions
from Inna shortly, and we might anticipate their arrival by detailing three Indian battalions
Irom India for service in <mlf, or perhaps you could now spare one battalion from Muscat.
As regards the British battalion for this Brigade, could you not spare one of the best of the
1 err i tori a I battalions-' You might also be able to give a Territorial batterv for garrison
<lut\ at Basra. 1 wish you could spare another cava by regiment, as T understand the country
at this season is well adapted to that arm. J
No/m*
dene rat Barrett to Secretary of State for India, dated 'loth February 1915.
Fnemy s cavalry about 1,000 advanced to within four or five miles of Shaiba to-day, but
were checked by our cavalry and guns. They then retired to Xakheila, some 15 miles north-
west of Shaiba. S. Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, and 16th Cavalry marched to Shaiba to-
day. At Mezera Hoods have reached our defences, and covering the entire front between the
I igris and Snail) creek. I am therefore withdrawing the remaining field battery and an
udantry battalion to Basra. All quiet there and at Ahwaz, but owing to threatened attack on
Mohammerah and Abadan by disaffected tribesmen, lam posting H..M.S. Usyieule in Karun
river east of Mohammerah. and am sending a company of Indian infantrv to Abadan.
//
(Telegraphic.)
di d March. Brigadier-(leneral Robinson reports that he moved out this morning and
shelled enemy s camp at Chadir. 10 miles west of Ahwaz. Enemy turned out in great force
estimated at about 12,000, and succeeded in getting round his flanks and rear. makin<>- retire
ment extremely difficult. Enemy frequently came to hand-to-hand fighting, and suffered very
severely, but our losses, 1 regret to say, have been very heavy. One Royal Field Artillerv
' -” 11 W!ls abandoned after horses had been killed, and 400 rounds ammunition Also
one breach and chase of mountain gun. Casualties: British officers :-Killed, 5; wounded 3.
British rank and file:—Killed, 1; wounded, 5, Indian officers:—Killed, 1; wounded 4.
Indian rank and file :—Killed, 55 ; wounded, 115. It appears Ghazban and Said-Nameh
1 . l ' 11 ’ , " ,,ir tribes, were present with the force, Ghadir having been heavilv reinforced
the night before. I have ordered two Royal Field Artillery guns and half battalion Indian
infantry, which were despatched to Marid to day, to proceed direct to Ahwaz, arriving to
morrow. and will send half battalion British infantry to-morrow ajid one spiwe latpst gun direct
to replace gun lost. Officer commanding Shaiba reports cavalry j.-eco#naisanee to-dav when
returning to camp were followed up by 1,500 mounted Arabs. Our troops led enemy oil direct
to concealed position occupied by half battalion infantry and machine guns, with two field
guns in support. Enemy then retired on Nakheila. Our casualties, all'in cavalry : British
ofneers : Killed. 4: wounded. 2. Indian officers:-Killed. 2 ; rank and file killed, 4.