"دراسة نقدية عن الحملة في ميسوبوتاميا حتى أبريل ١٩١٧: الجزء I - تقرير" [ظ‎‎١‎٨‎٤] (٤٢٤/٣٧٣)

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CHAPTER XXIII.
The situation after the capture of Baghdad, 12th March 1917.
(Reference map 20.)
At this point it is worth while considering the strategical situation.
In France the Allies were preparing for an offensive on a large scale,,
but there was little prospect of any decision during the year.
In Italy after the iZonzo battle of November 1916, and in Serbia
after the taking of Monastir, static conditions had supervened.
The intensive submarine campaign, commenced by Germany in
February, was already causing us great anxiety. This might well affect
the sea communications on which our campaigns in Palestine and'Meso
potamia depended.
Conscription had been in force in England for nine months, and the
limita of British man-power were calculable. It could hardly be hoped
that the IL S. A. which had joined the Allies in February could develop
much strength for at least another year.
In Palestine thd British had occupied El Arish and were preparing
for the first Battle of Gaza. The Sherifian revolt had been in progress
some nine months, but was not yet seriously affecting the Turks.
The Russians were in occupation of Erzeroum, Erzinjan and Tre-
bizond.
It must be remembered that although the scandals connected with
the Russian Government and Army were known, and although the
revolution had actually commenced on the day before Gen. Maude
captured Baghdadj there was no suspicion at this time of the extent
to which this would spread nor of its momentous consequences. On the
contrary great confidence in Russian co-operation in Mesopotamia is
evident. There are constant references thereto in the C.I.G.S. tele
grams of this period, in fact Gen. Maude is urged to base his plans,
on that factor. Some anxiety had been previously shown by India
lest the Russians should enter Baghdad before us, but they too were
now in favour of the closest co-operation and were considering very am
bitious projects.
Baratoff, slowly following up the retreat of Ali Ihsan's XIII Corps,
was in the neighbourhood of Kermanshah. He had a good road behind
him back to the Caspian, and had been ordered by the Grand Duke,
who was sending him reinforcements of over two Divisiors (mainly
Cossacks), to pursue vigorously and co-operate with the British in des
troying the XIII Turk Corps.