'HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR BASED ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. THE CAMPAIGN IN MESOPOTAMIA 1914-1918. VOLUME I.' [‎114v] (233/454)

206 HISTORY OF THE WAR: MESOPOTAMIA
perimeter. Three houses with walled gardens were in the
direct line of advance of the 104th, while, to their right and
between them and an open strip along the water’s edge, was
a plantation of small palm-trees. After passing the ’ first
house the 104th were temporarily checked by heavy fire from
North mound, from the second house and from the palm-grove
to their right front. In the meantime the 7th Lancers, forming
the cavalry advanced guard, had come under heavy fire from
the palm-grove, but, pushing past it, they charged North mound.
Reaching its vicinity, they found that they could not hold it
owing to heavy fire from the trenches in its rear and from the
adjacent two houses. They consequently withdrew. General
Melliss’ report of this combat specially brings to notice the great
gallantry of Major Wheeler and Jemadar Sudhan Singh, both
of the 7th Lancers, who charged the mound ahead of their
squadron and were killed there while attempting to capture
an Arab standard. When the 7th Lancers rejoined the main
body of the cavalry, General Kennedy decided that, in view
of the enemy’s strength, his instructions did not justify a
further advance and he withdrew to camp. In this small
affair the 7th Lancers had twenty-one men and eighty-one
horses killed and wounded and the 104th lost six killed and
twenty-two wounded.
From his point of vantage at Kiln Post, General Melliss
now observed large hostile bodies advancing near North
mound and to the east of it, and at 8.30 a.m. he issued orders
for a fresh attack. General Delamain was to attack North
mound with three battalions (2nd Dorsetshire, 104th Rifles
and 24th Punjabis*) of his 16th Brigade, his advance being
supported by the concentrated fire of the whole of the British
field and mountain artillery.
This advance commenced at about 10.30 a.m. Well sup
ported by artillery fire, the infantry moved forward without
a check and North mound was in their possession by 11 a.m.
with the enemy garrison in full retreat. Many of the Arabs
had held on with great tenacity, and ninety dead were found
on the mound itself; but the cavalry brigadef were not up to
take advantage of the opportunity presented by the fleeing
remainder of the Arabs. A section of “ S ” Battery, how
ever, was present and did considerable execution.
In the meantime, the enemy to the west, south-west and
south of Shaiba had been carrying on desultory hostilities,
which culminated now and then in half-hearted attacks. The
* Temporarily attached to 16th Brigade, f They were watering their horses.