'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎110r] (222/256)

A.
JO
No. >8^
General Ni.mu to Secretary of Sfate for India, dated 16fl, April 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
(leneral Mellis reports from Shaiba. 10.30 a.m.. 15th :
" Old Basra. Zobeir, and Birjisiyeh are clear of enemy. His abandoned camp, 500 yards
south of high watch tower flanking his position of 14th, contains tents, 700.000 rounds small
arm ammunition, and 453 cases gun ammunition, large quantity kit and munitions of war.
and food cooked and uncooked. Am making arrangements for removal or destruction Lar"e
columns of dust seen this afternoon about and beyond Honlah (?) point to enemy's retirement
being continued north-west. I propose reconnoitring for site for camp and defensive
position suitable for a brigade in neighbourhood of Zobeir to-morrow, and will report
result. I am sending cavalry to ascertain whether Shwebda is entirely vacated.”
Shwebda is seven miles west of Zobeir. 1 placed Staff of 6th Division at General Mellis’s
disposal when 1 sent General Mellis to reinforce .Shaiba and take command there after General
Barrett s departure. General Mellis reports in high terms of assistance he has received from
Divisional Staff, and 1 propose to submit recommendations about them later.
No. ^
Secretary of State for India, to Viceroy, dated \Qth April 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Please communicate the following to Nixon“ I congratulate all ranks on their brilliant
victory, due to valour and discipline of the troops as well as to able leadership The fame of
the Indian Army is enhanced by the defeat inflicted by them on such superior numbers in
this notable hand-to-hand engagement. I deplore the heavy casualtv roll but the losses are
not m vain. Please report arrival of all wounded at Basra.”
No,
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 19th April 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Admiralty most anxious for early repair'pipe line as oil question becoming serious.
Recent victory having averted danger from west, Government would welcome immediate
inove against enemy on Karun side if supply and transport render operating feasible. Moral
effect of Shaiba followed up by successful attack from Ahwaz will probably terminate Arab
disaffection and ensure future security of pipe line. Early expulsion of Turks from Persian
Arabistan politically very desirable. ‘ »
No.
General Xi.ron to Secretary of State for Lidia, dated % 23rd April 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Receipt of your message of the 19th has been delayed by interruptions and mutilation of
text. On behalf of the Second Indian Army Corps I offer our grateful thanks and appre
ciations tor the very generous terms in which you convey your congratulations on the victory
the troops of this Force have achieved. All our wounded arrived in Basra by the evening of
tlie In addition about 180 Turkish wounded.
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PART III.
BATTLE OF BIRJISIYEH TO OCCUPATION OF KUT-EL-AMARA.
No.
1 iceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated 23rd April 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Following telegram has been received from General, Force “ D,” dated 19th April:—
1 he Cavalry Brigade now with this Force cannot meet demands which will shortly be
CavlV-v R ia ai ‘ m ; • I)eS P atcll 1 of another Cavalry Brigade which should include a British
v avail} Regiment is requested.
, , It ,. ls v ery necessary that we should have British unit. In view of heavy work which
Pionemls 1 ” ,S m ^ ^ ° ther WOrks wil1 cause ’ 1 also be S for th e despatch of a battalion of
h ollowing reply lias been sent to above this day :—
wc are " q " able C S "n >, y a ?y more Cavalry. We are so short of Pioneer's that
if these "S, be uTefuil^’ W ® ^ ^ Co ‘' pS for J™" or
No.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 2itk April 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
} our telegram of 23rd April. With reference to Nixon's request for a Cavalry Brigade I
concur m your decision as, apart from impossibility of complying, the approach of hot season
lenders despatch of more troops, especially British, inadvisable,
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