CHAPTER V

THE GREAT WAR

Egypt—Shaiba—Khafajiyeh—Euphrates—Nasariyeh—First Battle of Kut

[Sidenote: 1914.]

Orders were received to mobilize, as for service in Europe, on October 21st, and the Battalion mobilized to full strength plus ten per cent. in seventy-two hours. A draft of 120 men of the 87th Punjabis, under Captain S. M. H. Baillie, was sent to the Battalion in place of its own reservists, who could not be called up in time. A depot was left in Jhelum under Captain E. Milford.

The Battalion embarked at Karachi on October 31st as part of the 30th Indian Infantry Brigade, under Major-General C. J. Melliss, V.C., which comprised the 24th Punjabis, 126th Baluchistan Infantry, and 2/7th Gurkha Rifles. The Brigade disembarked at Suez and took over the defence of the Little Bitter Lake-Suez Section of the Suez Canal, on which the Battalion found various posts with Headquarters at Suez. On the Turks threatening attack the whole Battalion took up position on the canal banks. Beyond one or two very small actions and one reconnaissance by two companies into the desert, no fighting took place in this sector.

[Sidenote: 1915.]

On March 13th the 28th Brigade relieved the 30th, which concentrated at Suez for embarkation. The Brigade sailed from Suez on March 22nd, and great disappointment was felt that it was sailing southwards instead of northwards to France, as had been expected.

On April 7th the Battalion arrived at Basra and went into camp at Makina, where the Brigade was concentrating as part of the newly-formed 12th Division.

On April 12th the Brigade attempted to reinforce the garrison of Shaiba by wading through mud and water across the inundated country between Zobeir Gate and Old Basra but, owing to the farther bank being strongly held by the enemy, was ordered to retire when half-way across. Several attempts to cross by bellum were made, but priority had to be given to urgently required ammunition and rations, so the Battalion remained in bivouac at Zobeir Gate. Detachments were provided to protect the bellum convoys and drive off hostile craft.

After Shaiba the Battalion returned to Makina Camp and a few days later embarked for Ahwaz, and joined the concentration of the 12th Division, under Major-General Gorringe, at Sabeh on April 28th.

After very hot and waterless marches, the Division arrived at Illah on the Karkheh river on May 7th. The Turks were found to have retired, but it was necessary to punish the Beni Turuf tribe of Arabs. The river was found to be about 300 yards broad and the bridging material insufficient, so a flying bridge and canvas boats were improvised and, thanks greatly to the exertions of many swimmers of the 66th and 76th, all men, stores and animals were eventually landed on the far bank.

[Sidenote: Khafajiyeh.]

On May 13th a column, of which the Battalion formed part, marched by night to the cover of some hills facing the Karkheh river, on the far bank of which was the principal Beni Turuf village of Khafajiyeh. The morning of the 14th was spent waiting for the advance of the 12th Brigade up the left bank, which did not arrive owing to the bad ground it had to move over. At 2 p.m. the 76th and 2/7th Gurkha Rifles advanced towards the river bank, coming under fire from the village and its fort. The river was found to be 280 yards broad and very swift and, as there was no means of crossing it, a retirement was ordered at 6 p.m., which was closely followed up by the Arabs. Bivouac was formed about half a mile from the river. The Battalion had had 11 men wounded during the afternoon.

On the 15th the 2/7th Gurkha Rifles and the 76th again advanced to the river and, on volunteers being called for to swim the river, a party did so, led by Subadar-Major Ajab Khan, under heavy fire from the fort and opposite bank, supported by the covering fire of the Battalion.

This party succeeded in emptying the only serviceable boat to be found on the other bank, under the close fire of the fort, and swam it across. Major Perrin’s double-company then proceeded to ferry across in this boat, and the first party, under Subadar-Major Ajab Khan and Jemadar Mehdi Khan, stormed the gate of the fort and forced their way in, driving the enemy into the buildings or out of the fort, where they were shot by another party that had arrived, under the command of Subadar Indar Singh, and had meanwhile surrounded the fort. Eventually all the enemy were smoked out of the buildings and killed or captured. Two double-companies bivouacked in the fort and the rest of the 76th and the 2/7th Gurkha Rifles bivouacked on the right bank. For their gallantry on this occasion, six Indian Orders of Merit and twenty Indian Distinguished Service Medals were awarded to the Indian officers and men who took part.

One sepoy was killed, 1 Indian officer, and 11 sepoys wounded during the day.

The next morning the village was burnt, and two days later the Battalion started on the return march to Illah and Ahwaz, whence it proceeded by steamer to Basra.

[Sidenote: Second Action of Kurna.]

On the 28th May, the Machine Gun Section and fifty rifles embarked on a river steamer, under Captain Laing, and took part in the second action of Kurna, returning to Basra after the capture of Amarah, in charge of prisoners.

The Battalion proceeded to Kurna by steamer on June 10th to take part in the 12th Division’s advance up the Euphrates for the capture of Nasariyeh. During the stay in Kurna the heat was intense. The whole brigade was trained daily in boat drill and formations in case this form of warfare should be necessary.

Owing to the insanitary conditions in the Basra bivouac and the heat and mosquitoes in the marshy ground at Kurna, 270 men went down with fever before the Regiment left.

On the 26th the expedition started up the Euphrates in steamers, and crossed the Hammar Lake, where it was held up by the obstruction of the entrance to the Hakika channel. This was eventually blown up by the Sappers and Miners, assisted by swimmers from the Battalion, and the steamers were hauled across by working parties amounting to as many as 600 at a time.

Reconnaissances were made up the Gurma Safah Channel, and the Turkish positions located holding the junction of the Gurma Safah and Euphrates. The country was under water except for a narrow strip on either bank.

On July 4th a short advance was made by the Battalion to a point known as Ati’s House, whence a further reconnaissance was made and outposts pushed forward under the fire of snipers.

The attack was ordered for the 5th, as follows:—The 76th to advance up the left bank, supported by the 24th Punjabis and 30th Mountain Battery in boats in the marsh on its right; 2/7th Gurkha Rifles and 1/4th Hampshire Regiment to advance up the right bank.

[Sidenote: Gurma Safah (Sukh-es-Sheyuk).]

The advance began at 4 a.m. through thick palm groves and undergrowth, and at once met with opposition which was driven back, until the 2/7th on the other bank were held up by a broad creek, which could not be crossed. The 76th continued their advance now enfiladed by the enemy on the other bank as well as being strongly opposed to their front, until they were held up by the enemy in position behind a strong wall extending from the river to the marsh. Here Lieut.-Colonel Smithett was severely wounded, and Captain Baillie and Lieutenant Graves were also wounded. In addition to other casualties, the whole Machine Gun Section was killed or wounded and the guns damaged.

The 24th now moved up and outflanked the enemy through the marsh, causing him to retire, pursued by half the 76th and the remainder of the 24th, until he reached his final position across the Euphrates, where he surrendered. The remaining four companies of the Battalion were employed in keeping down the fire from the right bank during the pursuit. The casualties of the 76th amounted to 2 Indian officers (Jemadars Nur Khan and Maluka), and 14 men killed, 3 British and 2 Indian officers and 37 men wounded, being about twenty per cent. of the strength engaged, about 150 men having been left in charge of the Battalion’s boats, which did not come into action.

On the 6th the force proceeded up river and formed camp at Asani, about three miles below the Turkish main position covering Nasariyeh. From here reconnaissances were made and outposts pushed forward, and continual sniping took place on both sides. The heat was intense, and all ranks were exposed day and night to the elements and every sort of mosquito and biting insect, there being no tents or cover of any kind by day or night.

On the night of July 13th-14th an attack was ordered to establish a forward position on the right bank. Accordingly Major Rybot’s double company, supported by a company of the 48th Pioneers, attacked and rushed Shakair, killing most of the garrison and occupying the village. At the same time the remainder of the Battalion occupied a grove called “Sixteen Palms” without opposition, except for snipers, on the right bank, and the 48th Pioneers entrenched the position. Our losses at Shakair were 2nd-Lieutenant Hathorn, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, and 1 sepoy killed, 7 men wounded.

Throughout the 14th the enemy retaliated with gun and rifle fire, but the forward positions were maintained. Subadar Neki Ram was wounded at Shakair during the morning. Till the 23rd preparations were continued for the assault, enemy sniping being continuous.

[Sidenote: Nasariyeh.]

The orders for the attack on July 24th were as follows:—The 12th Brigade to assault the enemy position on the left bank after an intense bombardment, supported by part of the 18th Brigade. On the position being taken they were to swing round and enfilade the enemy’s position on the right bank behind the Medijinah Creek, which would then be assaulted by the 30th Brigade, supported by one battalion of the 18th Brigade, and covered by the artillery. The 30th Brigade was to assault as follows:—1/4th Hampshire Regiment (only 150 strong) and 2/7th Gurkhas would advance from the “Sixteen Palms”—Shakair line, covered by the fire of the 24th Punjabis and massed machine guns. The 76th, in support, to advance simultaneously a thousand yards in rear of the Hampshire Regiment and 2/7th Gurkhas.

At 5.30 a.m., on the 24th, the artillery bombardment began on the left bank and continued for three-quarters of an hour, when the 12th Brigade assaulted, and, after severe hand-to-hand fighting, carried the position. At 7 a.m. the 30th Brigade began their advance under shell- and heavy rifle-fire from the enemy trenches. The ground being absolutely devoid of cover, casualties were heavy. A barge had meanwhile been jammed across the mouth of the Medijinah Creek. This barge carried parties of Sappers and Miners and Pioneers with bridging material and reserve ammunition. Work was started on two foot bridges over the creek within 200 yards of the enemy trenches. The artillery bombardment continued until the Hampshire Regiment and Gurkhas and 76th had worked their way up to the bank of the creek. The water was found to be only waist deep, the flow having been stopped by the barge. At about 10 a.m. a charge was initiated and the enemy’s position entered. After some hand-to-hand fighting, the whole of the position was in our hands, the enemy streaming across the plain, pursued by our fire. The supporting battalion of the 18th Brigade now passed through and took up the pursuit, while the 30th Brigade reformed and followed closely after it. The enemy did not stand in his second position, and was driven out of a third position on the bank of the river in the evening. The 30th Brigade bivouacked on his third position.

The Turks left in our hands 17 guns, numerous rifles, quantities of ammunition and stores. The enemy losses were 700 killed, 740 wounded, and 200 wounded prisoners. The Battalion lost Lieutenants Darell and McElwaine, and Subadar-Major Ajab Khan wounded, 6 rank and file killed, and 55 wounded out of about 300 engaged, the 30th Brigade losing 200 out of a strength of 900. The total British casualties were 564.

Nasariyeh was occupied on the 25th without further opposition. During these operations from June 26th to July 25th the Battalion had lost:—British officers: 1 killed, 5 wounded. Indian officers: 2 killed, 4 wounded. Rank and file: 21 killed and 123 wounded. Sick: approximately 70. The following decorations were subsequently awarded:—Distinguished Service Order, 1; Military Cross, 1; Indian Order of Merit, 7; Indian Distinguished Service Medal, 19.

The month of August was spent in bivouac at Nasariyeh resting, only a few outposts being found by the Battalion.

At the end of the month, the 30th Brigade, less the 1/4th Hampshire Regiment, was moved by water to Amarah to join the 6th Division in their advance up the Tigris.

Reinforcements were received at Amarah, and Lieut.-Colonel Smithett rejoined and took command.

[Sidenote: First Battle of Kut.]

The 2/7th Gurkha Rifles and 76th then proceeded, partly by steamer and partly by march, to join the concentration of the 6th Division at Sannaiyat. The camp was shelled by the enemy on September 25th, and our force advanced and occupied Chahela Mounds on the 26th with little opposition. The 2/7th and 76th were detailed to guard the left flank and shipping during the coming battle, and entrenched themselves in redoubts on the right bank. On the 28th the First Battle of Kut took place. The Turks were beaten back and the 6th Division occupied Kut-al-Amarah.

The Battalion was left to guard the hospitals and a few days later marched to Kut.

During the month spent in Kut, drafts were received from the Depot, and a company of Jats from the 99th Infantry, under Major Cotton, with 2nd-Lieutenants Spowart and Rogers, Indian Army Reserve Officers, brought the Battalion up to full strength again.