"دراسة نقدية عن الحملة في ميسوبوتاميا حتى أبريل ١٩١٧: الجزء I - تقرير" [ظ‎‎٨‎٠] (٤٢٤/١٦٥)

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facing nortii west and half a mile beyond it, the gun fire of the / th
Division away to the north being now distinctly audible.
The Corps Artillerv, which had followed the 28th Brigade, then
came into action near Chittab's fort and registered on a few Turkish
entrenchments that were visible from this building, while patrols from
the units of the 28th Brigade reconnoitred the enemy s position care
fully The reports that were brought in by these patrols were to the
effect that the Turks were holding a position behind the Wadi, and
about one and a halt miles from the localities that had been occupied
by the 28th Brigade; and that the enemy were m loop-holed trenches
and were still engaged in digging themselves in. But it seems that the
existence of a position consisting of a Une of small redoubts, with low
parapets, placed in a slight depression behind the trenches was not
definitely ascertained.
\t about 1400 another reconnaissance was made by air, and on
the return of the airman; Aylmer learnt that the 19th and 21st Brigades,
supported S ,y 26 guns, were advancing southwards m the area between
the Wadi and the Suwaikiya marsh and at right angles to the enemy s
left whil. the 35th Infantry Brigade was in reserve near the Wadi.
The British were being onposed by a line of Turks, supported apparently
by four guns which were firing from the left of the original position
on the Wadi. The gap at Hanna had been entrenched and was held
by a couple of hundred infantry who were near the marsh. A column
of 4,000 men had also been seen which was apparently moving up river
irom Hanna. There were four guns behind the Turkish right on the
left bauk, but on the right bank only a few Arabs.
The substance of this message was passed to Kemball, and reached
him at about 1600 and as his own patrols had recently reported that
the bombardment now being made by the ships, which after dropping
down-stream were again moving forward, and heavy guns were causing
the enemy to evacuate their position that is the advanced trenches
that were visible on the bank of the Wadi—Kemball resolved to deliver
an assault alter communicating with the gun boats and securing the
promise of support from their guns. Orders accordingly were issued
that the brigade was to advance and break through the portion of the
Turkish line which lay opposite to its right, and then drive the enemy's
troops southwards against the bank of the river. The principal attack
was confided to the 56th Rifles with the support of the 53rd Sikhs :
the Leicestershires were to advance on their left followed by two com
panies, of the 51st Sikhs, and the remainder of this regiment was to
be held in reserve. ^
The 66th accordingly went forward, two companies forming the
firing line and two being in support, followed by the 53rd ; and covered