'HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR BASED ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. THE CAMPAIGN IN MESOPOTAMIA 1914-1918. VOLUME I.' [‎74v] (153/454)

128 HISTORY OF THE WAR : MESOPOTAMIA
maintain order. Captain Hayes-Sadler at once sent this news
by wireless to General Barrett. He then decided to attempt
the passage through the obstruction so as to push on to Basra
with the ships under his command. The message to General
Barrett brought an immediate reply asking whether the
warships could assist and saying that he would provide a mili
tary detachment to accompany them. It was soon arranged
that Major-General Fry should proceed at once with a detach
ment in two river steamers and that General Barrett should
march that evening for Basra with the remainder of the force.
About 2 p.m., when it appeared to be slack water, the
Espiegle negotiated the obstruction with a little difficulty and
was followed at a short interval by the Odin and Lawrence.
They anchored opposite the deserted Turkish battery at
Baljaniya and landed a party to dismantle the four field guns
abandoned there. At 3.30 p.m., there was no sign of the
river steamers with troops, and a cloud of smoke was observed
in the direction of Basra, betokening burning buildings.
Thereupon, Captain Hayes-Sadler decided to proceed at once
with the Espiegle and Odin, leaving the Lawrence to escort the
troops. Basra was reached about 5.30 p.m., and the Custom
House was seen to be on fire and full of plundering Arabs.
These were dispersed by a blank charge and naval landing
parties cleared the Custom House and its vicinity. By dark
the town was comparatively quiet and the shore parties were
withdrawn for the night. Early next morning, however,
Arabs recommenced looting and naval parties were again
landed. About 9.30 a.m.* General Fry’s detachmentf arrived
in the Mejidieh and Blosse Lynch, took over the guards on shore
and established order without difficulty.
The main force under General Barrett reached the south
western outskirts of Basra about noon. Leaving Sahil at
8 p.m. the day before, their twenty-eight mile march had
proved tedious and trying; for movement had been very
slow owing to the numerous high banks and irrigation channels
which crossed the track and which had to be levelled or bridged.
On arrival at Basra the few bridges over the several creeks
traversing the area had to be repaired or strengthened; the
indescribably filthy condition of the town and its environs
she.'wed that quarters for the troops could only be arranged
I he delay had been due to the difficulties of embarkation at Sahil and
to the necessity for waiting till daylight to pass the obstruction in the river.
t 18th Brigade Headquarters, Norfolks, 110th, two mountain guns, a
wireless section, and a section of a field ambulance.