Report on the Operations in the Vicinity of Shaiba 12th-14th April 1915. Simla: General Staff India, 1915. [‎20] (31/70)

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close to the Watch Tower supporting the 16th Brigade, the 63rd Battery and
23rd Mountain Battery, the 18th Brigade.
At 4 -15 p.m. the 2nd Battalion, Norfolks, and 120th Infantry under Colonel
Peebles and Major Pocock respectively, dashed at the enemy's trenches with the
bayonet, while the 1 loth, also under heavy fire, pressed unflinchingly forward on
the right supported by " S" Battery and dismounted Cavalry fire. Almost
simultaneously part of the i5th Brigade consisting of the 2nd Battalion, Dorsets,
24th Punjabis, 119th Infantry (less 1 Double Company in reserve) and 1 Double
Company, 117th Mahrattas, withdrawn from the left flank guard, made a general
advance and by 5-0. p.m. the enemy abandoned the front trenches all along the
line and fled, many surrendering. At 4-40 p.m . Operation Order No. 1* for retire- * vuepzge 29.
ment to commence at 5-30 p.m. to Shaiba was issued.
In the meantime at 4-0 P-M., in view of the necessary withdrawal before
nightfall, the 48th Pioneers with all available Jaipur carts were ordered out from
Shaiba. The Pioneers were directed to take up a rear guard position about
South Mound to cover the retirement of the main body and the carts were also
directed there to be ready to assist in the collection and evacuation of the wound
ed. The arrangements for the collection and disposal of the large numbers of
wounded were ably arranged for by Lieutenant-Colonel H. O. Bi Browne-Mason,
Royal Army Medical Corps, Officiating Assistant Director of Medical Services.
The retirement timed for 5-30 actually commenced at 6 -o p.m . owing to
the difficulty of collection and removal of the wounded scattered over a wide area.
Our withdrawal was entirely unmolested and the troops reached Shaiba with all
wounded by 8-30 p.m.
It is impossible to conceive a more exposed tract of ground than
the plain devoid of cover over which our Infantry had to attack the
Turkish trenches, cleverly concealed and sited. Our advance in the last 400
yards was down a glacis-like slope. It was on the crest of this slope that so
many of our losses occurred. Splendid dash, combined with resolute courage,
alone carried our men across that bullet swept glacis. It was a sheer dogged
soldiers' fight and no words of mine can adequately express my admiration of the
conduct of those gallant regiments who won through, viz., 2nd Battalion, Norfolks,
2nd Battalion, Dorsets, 24th Punjabis, 110th Mahratta Light Infantry, 119th
Infantry, 117th Mahrattas, 120th Infantry, 17th and 22nd Companies of the 3rd
Sappers and Miners.
It is gratifying to record the fact that all the Indian troops engaged (24th
Punjabis excepted) are old Bombay Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. Regiments. They have proved
on this occasion that they are worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best
troops that the Empire can produce and I trust that these Corps may be permit
ted to inscribe the battle honour of " Barjisiyah " on their colours as a fitting
tribute to their gallant conduct on this haKl-fought field.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I desire to bring to notice the specially good services of the following:—
Commanders, Staff, etc.
Major-General C. I, Fry —Commanded his Brigade to my entire satisfaction
during the battle of Barjisiyah on the 14th ; his Brigade behaved
admirably.under his direction.
*'■ ■
Brigadt'er.General W. S. Delamain, C.B., D.S.O. —A very able Brigade
Commander : handled his troops during the action of 13th and the
battle of 14th with marked success.
sseoGSB