'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎97r] (193/1386)

The Secretary of State for India communicates the following regai ding
the progress of the Indian Expeditionary Force to the Persian <xulf.
A reconnaissance of the enemy’s position at Kurnah was made on the
5th instant by Lieutenant-Colonel Frazer with the 110th Mahrattas. the
enemy were encountered on the left bank of the i igris opposite Kurnah.
They were promptly attacked and driven across the river, losing hea\ily ,
2 guns and 70 prisoners, including o Furbish officers were captured.
Kurnah was found to be strongly held by guns and infantry, and our troops
having no means of crossing the Tigris withdrew to their original bivduacfour
miles south of Kurnah. Great assistance was given by the Navy from
armed steamers which accompanied the reconnaissance. Our casualties were
1 British officer and 3 British rank and hie wounded, 1 Indian officer and
19 rank and hie killed, and about 60 wounded. Steamers Miner and
“ Lawrence ” were hit by shells. On the following day reinforcements
were sent from Basra, under Brigadier-General Fry, by steamers and
Hats. On his arrival he reported the Turks in occupation of Masera, on
the left bank of the Tigris, immediately opposite Kurnah. They
attacked his outposts, but were repulsed with some loss. On the
7 th instant General Fry captured Masera and cleared the left
bank of the Tigris, bivouacking on the captured position. In this affair
3 guns were taken and 2 disabled), as well as 100 prisoners including
3 officers. On the 8th the 104th Rifles and 110th Mahrattas, and 2 moun
tain guns crossed the Tigris by a flying bridge and dhows, and occupied the
northern approaches of Kurnah, and on the early morning of yesterday
(9th December) Subhi Bey, the late Governor of Basra and commanding the
Turkish forces at Kurnah, surrendered unconditionally with his troops. The
town of Kurnah was subsequently occupied. Our casualties during the
whole of these operations amounted to 1 British officer killed and 3
wounded, about 40 Indian rank and tile killed, and 120 wounded.
This smart little affair lias given us complete control of the country from
the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates to the sea, and the richest part ol
the fertile delta.