"بلاد الرافدين. اللجنة" [و‎‎١‎١‎٦] (٢٥٦/٢٣٤)

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IS therefore replaced by wireless. 7th Lancers captured one officer and So men on left hank
during reconnaissance on 27th. Conditions are favourable for Townsliend's attack on 28th
Bridgehead position on Tigris right bank is held by Colonel GTimo with two battalions of the
30th Brigade.
5 ' ■
No. l/l.
Gnwral Si,von to Secretnn/ of Stotr for Imlia, da tod 29th September 191o.
(Telegraphic.)
2Hth September 19l;>. 1 igris line, (ith 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. 1 he 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 lit 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 m their position when darkness fell and operations will be resumed 29th. The
ca\ali\ and aimoured motor cars guarded outer Hank and were engaged against Turkish
cavalry all day. The 'lurks fought with the greatest tenacity and had to 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. 1^2.
Cnn-ral Xi.ron to Secretary of State for India, dated 29th September 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
bast 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
mam position was found unoccupied early this morning. Aeroplane reconnaissance shows
Turks m flight by river and road towards Bagdad, our cavalry entering Kut, river column
moving m pursuit. Regret to report gallant officer, Lieutenant-Commander E. C. Cookson. R.N..
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 bv him with
greatest daring and effect during two days’ operations.
No. 1^3.
Genera! Xiron 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
by naval gunboats and our cavalry. General Townshend follows with the leading iiifantry
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 up 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 a cident, but severe casualties were
caused by mines during action. The field of fire was every where flat and open. Nur-ed-din’s
torce 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 tota*l
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. 114.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated SOth September 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Private. Please convey my congratulations to Sir John Nixon on the further brilliant
success achieved by Force " D." 1 much regret to hear of the loss of Lieutenant-Commander
Cookson. ,
No. ifb.
Venera! Xi.ron to Secretary of State for India, dated 1.?/ October 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Tigris line. Personal inspection on 29th of enemy’s position, described in my telegram of
29th September, greatly impressed me with skilful plan of its capture adopted by Major-
General 'Townshend in Ids attack on 28th. I am convinced that his scheme of turning the
'Turkish left and getting in the rear of the centre of the position was the only manoeuvre
whereby the enemy could be dislodged without our incurring enormous losses. Any scheme
entailing direct assault of any portion of line would have inevitably proved most costlv
Three air reconnaissances from Kut have located the retreating Turkish force. Rearo-uard
has two guns with it. One enemy steamer was seen, apparently in difficulties, cIo°e to
Baglinkah. Our pursuit on 30th has been dogged by persistent bad luck. One of our three