'HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR BASED ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. THE CAMPAIGN IN MESOPOTAMIA 1914-1918. VOLUME I.' [‎7v] (19/454)

m
VI
CONTENTS
Chapter X.
PAGE
OPERATIONS IN ARABISTAN AND THE CAPTURE OF AMARA.
General Gorringe to conduct operations in Arabistan—•
Concentration of his force up the Karun river — Cavalry
reconnaissance of 29th April—Concentration at Ali Ibn Husain
—Crossing of the Karkha river—Affair of Khafajiya, 14th-16th
May—Reconnaissance to Umm Chir—Trying climatic conditions
—March of a detachment to Amara—Punitive action against
Arabs, 9th June—Close of operations and reduction of force in
Arabistan—Discussion in regard to policy governing operations—
Advance to Amara sanctioned, but a cautious policy laid down
by India Office—Reduction of British force at Shaiba; establish
ment of new post near Old Basra—Naval reconnaissance of
Hammar lake and water approaches towards Nasiriya—Arrival
of General Townshend at Qurna, 24th April—Situation at
Qurna—Plans and preparations for advancing up Tigris on
Amara—Definite orders for offensive up Tigris issued by General
Nixon on 11th May—Preparations for the advance energetically
carried out—General Townshend’s operation order of 28th
May—Second action of Qurna, 31st May; complete British
success—The pursuit up the Tigris—Occupation of Amara, 3rd
Chapter XL
OPERATIONS ON THE EUPHRATES AND THE OCCUPATION
OF NASIRIYA.
British distribution after the capture of Amara—Changes in
organisation—River craft—Aeroplanes—Effect of climate—
Turkish dispositions—Policy : General Nixon prepares to advance
on Nasiriya; he recommends occupation of Kut al Amara;
advance on Nasiriya sanctioned on 22nd June ; consideration
of question of advancing to Kut; India asks General Nixon for
" appreciation ” thereon—Deterioration of situation in Persia—
Responsibility for defence of Bushire placed on General Nixon—
Movements of German emissaries in Persia—General Gorringe
to conduct operations against Nasiriya—His instructions, 23rd
June—Topography—Concentration of force at Qurna and com
mencement of operations, 26th-27th June—Action in the Akaika
channel, 5th July—Occupation of Suq ash Shuyukh, 6 th July—
Advance up the Euphrates—Reconnaissance of enemy’s position
—General Gorringe requests reinforcements, which arrive 11 th-
13th^July The fighting of 14th July: failure of attack on
the ‘sandhills”—General Gorringe requests further reinforce
ments, which arrive on 19th—20th July—Arrival of British
aeroplanes—Gorringe’s dispositions on 23rd July—His orders
for attack next day—Action of 24th July : defeat of the Turks
—Occupation of Nasiriya, 25th July .. .. .. 267—298
Minor operations on Tigris above Amara, June and July—
British dispositions end of July—Turkish dispositions—Policy :
question of an advance to Kut: protection of the oil supply—
June—Brilliant success of the operations
.. 224-266
Chapter XII.
THE BATTLE OF KUT AND OCCUPATION OF AZIZIYA.