File 2879/1919 Pt 3 ‘MESOPOTAMIA KURDISTAN The AQRAH Incident: Murder of Messrs Bill & Scott’ [‎98r] (83/170)

I asiced. the -"-rab oiiioer aoout the remainder and was told that the
majority at uhe night picquets were still out ana it did not look
as it they intended to come In*
The Arab ui^i oer in charge of the picquet reported the strength
of the Kurds to he about four hundred*
I found the situation to be hopeless against such oaas*
The Kishla was untenable befeng commanded from all sides*
I ordered the Indians to get away ana just at this time firing
recommenced but whether it was our people or the enemy I could not
say*
I told Jamil Offend! the Arab Officer that it was hopeless my stay
ing and as&ea for a mule to be saddled up forme.
I noticed at this time that the number of gendarmes present was
considerably reduced.
I waited a few more minutes ana then cleared out myself without
o
the mule ana fllowed by the P.O*s servant ana two gendarmes also
six masons, this was about 7 a.m.
On reaching the maiden about a mile away from the ICishla I ran
into two Sheikhs of the Surchi tribe with about twelve followers
all mounted*
These made as if to clear off but when they found that I only
had two gendarmes with rne they stooped and came towards me* After
the usual salutations they asked if they could help and fight for
the Government as they were enemies of the supposed Aibar tribe*
While I was talking to the Sheikhs I noticed their followers
trying to take the rifles from the two gendarmes* This made me doubt*
their good faith.
I managed to get away from them. On looking round for the two
gendarmes I found them missing*
I arrived in Jujar about *1 p.m. keeping to the open country all
the time*
'ihe P.O* a servant kept with me ana the masons arrived iater*
Haj i Abdulla at Jujar gave me some food ana let me have his horse
to get into Mosul. , „ ,, /)4 .
I arrived in Mosul at about 1 p*m* on uhe morning oi the 4th*
^a. R. x '.Barlow, l*ieut.
Asst. Commandant, ^end’s*
V