'Naval Staff monographs (historical) vol 4 no 15 - Naval operations in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf' [‎63] (80/150)

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and improving existing trenches. The Shushan and Massoudieh
opened fire on a Thornycroft launch in the bend of the river, to
which she replied with her pom-pom while she retired. The
enemy also disclosed a field gun, and the flotilla withdrew out
of range and anchored for the night.
Further reconnaissance next day (7th July) discovered that
the enemy position consisted of strong earthworks on both
banks of the river, with the flanks resting on marshes, having
in iront of it on the right bank the broad Majinina Creek, the
approach to which was absolutely devoid of cover. On the left
bank the position could be approached under cover through a
nai row belt of date gardens. Phe enemy's strength was
reported as 2,000 Turks, four field guns and two mountain guns.
Two Ihornycroft launches were in the neighbourhood, and
large numbers of hostile Arabs were in position near Majinina.
Reconnaissances were also carried out up the Sultan Creek to
ascertain whether the enemy s left flank could be turned, and
similar reconnaissances were made through the marshes on the
right bank.
As a result of these reconnaissances General Gorringe decided
to seize and occupy an advanced position on the right bank
within about 2,000 yards of the enemy's position, in order to put
a stop to the attempts the latter was making to improve the
obstruction in the river, and to cover the artillery positions
which had been selected. This was successfully accomplished
on the night of the 7th-8th July with little opposition from the
enemy. On the 8th July and succeeding days bombardment
of the enemy's position was carried out by the naval and army
guns. The position had been found so strong that reinforce
ments were necessary before the attack could be made. The
enemy's guns,^ of which on 11th July they disclosed six, were
fiequently active, and our 4'7 s carried out indirect firing over
the date palms, controlled by Lieut.-Commander A. G. Seymour,
the necessary telephonic communication being furnished by the
artillery. At 8 p.m. on that day (11th July) the enemy
attacked our position on the left bank, getting to within
15 yards of our advanced trenches; but they were easily
repulsed.
Reinforcements of two Indian battalions, half a battalion of
the Royal West Kents, and a howitzer section began to arrive
on 11th July. Supplies, &c., were towed up to near our forward
positions by night by the Shirin, 1 and, were subjected to a
heavy fire until they learnt to move silently. Frequent gun
boat patrols down to Suk-as-Shayuk were carried out, as
as concentrations of hostile Arabs were reported.
The enemy was continually receiving reinforcements of men
and guns, 2 while, in addition to our casualties, we Lad, owing
1 Lieutenant Hugli Curry, R.IST.
2 From Intelligence Reports it is believed that the enemy's force
opposing us at Nasiriya comprised seven battalions, two companies of
cavalry, and 13 guns. They were commanded by Ahmed Bey, who was
wounded during the operations, and was succeeded by Nejim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. .