"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية. الحملة في بلاد الرافدين ١٩١٤-١٩١٨. مجلد I" [و‎‎١‎٦‎٥] (٤٥٤/٣٣٤)

ADVANCE ON KUT RECOMMENDED
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river. Supplies will be accumulated at Amara and beyond,
sufficient to tide over difficulties at the worst period of
low river, which mainly affect the reach between Qurna
and Amara.”
On the 12th July Mr. Chamberlain telegraphed to India :—
“ . . . . Reference protection of Anglo-Persian oil
interests. The Admiralty are most anxious that there
should be no further interruption of supply, and urge
effective military protection irrespective of tribal guaran
tees. They are informed that military are proposing to
withdraw troops from Ahwaz and pressing oil company
to subsidise the Bawi tribe. Probably two thousand
cavalry, infantry and guns will suffice for this duty, but
you in communication with Nixon can advise on this point.
Nixon must be warned that the present situation in Persia
and Aden renders it more than ever advisable not to rely
entirely on Arab or Bakhtiari guarantees. I understand
that, as no further reinforcements for Persian Gulf are
possible, you will not sanction further advance, but will
be content for the time to hold the Basra vilayet and the
pipe-line.”
On the 27th July, two days after the capture of Nasiriya,
the Viceroy sent the following telegram to the India Office :—
“ . . . . Now that Nasiriya has been occupied, the
occupation of Kut al Amara is considered by us to be
a strategic necessity. Kut al Amara is only four miles
beyond limit of Basra vilayet; it commands the lower
reaches of the Tigris and also the Euphrates by way of
Shatt al Hai, and its occupation will facilitate the rein
forcement of our position on either river and also enable us
to control the powerful Bani Lam tribe and effectively
safeguard the oil-fields against aggression from the Tigris.
Once securely in possession, we could probably reduce
materially our garrisons at Nasiriya and Amara and thus
economise our troops.
Nixon has, owing to sick, found it necessary to demand
reinforcements. He is also being directed to despatch
an Indian battalion to Bushire. In order to strengthen
Nixon for the purpose of securing Kut al Amara, we
consider 28th Brigade should be moved from Aden to
Force ‘ D ’ when this brigade can be spared from
Aden. ... It will ... be possible to spare
28th Brigade from Aden shortly in order to assist Nixon
in the capture of Kut al Amara, after which the brigade