On the road to Kut, a soldier's story of the Mesopotamian campaign

22–25 November 1915

Battle of Ctesiphon (1915)

ON THE ROAD TO KUT 155

The auspices, therefore, under which the battle of Ctesiphon was fought were not favourable. On the 22nd of November, 1915, General Townshend attacked the Turkish left on very much the same plan as was followed by him at the battle of Kut-el-Amara, with the exception that his own right flank was protected by a Cavalry Brigade flung far out. The front line of Turkish trenches was quickly taken, the Turkish division holding that particular portion of trench being almost wiped out or captured. Our troops pushed across the interval between the first and second line trenches under a heavy fire from the Turkish guns and rifles, and here a fierce struggle ensued, ending in the capture of a portion of the Turkish second line. The enemy, however, brought up reinforcements, and delivered several determined counter- attacks, which our men, in spite of indomitable courage, were unable to withstand. Several Turkish guns had been captured at the first onslaught on the second line, and these changed owners many times, finally remaining in the hands of the Turks when at nightfall.

ON THE ROAD TO KUT 159

Continuing the retirement throughout the 2nd of December, the forces reached Kut on December 3rd, the thirteenth day from the beginning of the battle of Ctesiphon. Their losses had been over four thousand five hundred men, also the Firefly, Comet and Sheitan. The Turkish losses were presumed to have been far heavier, sixteen hundred and fifty prisoners alone having been taken into Kut by our troops.

ON THE ROAD TO KUT 187

The news we had from Kut-el- Amara was far from good. Our attack was apparently held up for some reason, and we were still twenty-five miles from General Townshend's force, which had been shut up there since the battle of Ctesiphon. He was said to have had three months' provisions in the camp ; but even if that were so, they would be nearly finished. It seemed at that time almost impossible to entertain the fear that he would be obliged to surrender with ten thousand men for want of food, and we could only hope for the best. There were a good many troops arriving in the country, but we had no idea where they had come from. News of all kinds was very difficult to get ; the home

ON THE ROAD TO KUT 263

The career of the division, ending as it did with the battle of Ctesiphon, within nineteen