'HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR BASED ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. THE CAMPAIGN IN MESOPOTAMIA 1914-1918. VOLUME I.' [‎82r] (168/454)

FIGHTING OPPOSITE QURNA
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the north of Muzaira’a was driven by the Norfolks through the
plantations to the open desert to the northward, while the
110th and Sappers inclined to their left and advanced towards
Qurna through the date plantations. Covered by their rear
guards, most of the Turks appear to have crossed the river
and to have established a strong firing line at Qurna.* The
Tigris was here about two hundred yards wide, and all the
native boats were alongside the right bank under the rifles
of the enemy.
About 1 p.m. a company from the 104th, hitherto in reserve,
were advanced through the plantations towards Qurna to clear
up the situation, and about the same time the Senior Naval
Officer, finding the water too shallow! for a further advance by
his sloops, sent forward the launches Miner, Shaitan, and Lewis
Felly. The Turks allowed these to get within one thousand
yards of Qurna and then opened such a heavy gun and rifle
fire on them as to stop their further advance. The launches
presented an admirable target, and it was only the indifferent
shooting of the Turks that saved them from annihilation.
The Miner, however, was holed by a shell in the engine-room
at the water-line ; and it was mainly owing to the gallant
way in which the wounded engine-room staff stuck to their
posts that the commander was able to save the launch from
sinking in deep water in sight of the enemy and to ground her
near the Espiegle. In the meantime, the remainder of the
104th had been pushed forward to join their advanced company
opposite Qurna ; and they endeavoured to establish a sufficient
fire superiority over the Turkish line on the opposite bank to
allow of an attempt at crossing. The 17th Sapper half company
were also ordered across to the left flank to give any assistance
they could to a crossing. This fire fight continued for about
an hour and the Turks were forced by it to evacuate some of
their positions ; but it became clear that, even if boats were
obtained, no crossing could be attempted without further
artillery support. This could not be given either by the guns
on the ships,! or by those on shore, who could not move
through the plantations. The whole of the British infantry
* The records contain no mention of where this crossing was effected.
General Barrett in his report says that owing to the thick plantations touch
was lost with the Turks, thus enabling them to cross the river unmolested
higher up.
| The deepest channel here for a length of over a mile was seven feet,
rising at high tide to about twelve feet.
+ The Shaitan and Lewis Pelly were still in action at short range, but they
had only one 12-pounder and two 3-pounders between them and were still
under a heavy Turkish fire.