THE SITUATION IN MESOPOTAMIA: VIEWS IN AND AROUND THE BELEAGUERED KUT | The Illustrated First World War
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THE SITUATION IN MESOPOTAMIA: VIEWS IN AND AROUND THE BELEAGUERED KUT
THE SITUATION IN MESOPOTAMIA: VIEWS IN AND AROUND THE BELEAGUERED KUT
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In The Sphere for January 22 an illustration was given of the twin-screw steamer. Julnar,” belonging to the Euphrates and Tigris Steam Navigation Company– a company established on the rivers of Mesopotamia for nearly a century. In all the operations in Mesopotamia, from the time that a force was landed at Fao in November, 1914, continuous assistance has been afforded by gunboat flotillas, and although no naval despatches have been published,’ the military officers have spoken in the highest terms of the courage, endurance and cheerfulness of the seamen In affording effective help under circumstances of great difficultyTHE TEN WEEKS’ SIEGE OF KUT December 3. General Townshend’s force reaches Kut-el-Amara from Ctesiphon. December 25. Turkish attacks on Kut position re pulsed with heavy losses. January 7-9. -Relieving force under General Aylmer engaged with Turks at Sheikh-Saad. EnemyThe climatic conditions In Mesopotamia and the overflowing of the Tigris are responsible in large measure for the present state of the campaign. The mud of Flanders Is here repeated, only under more trying conditions; on the lines of communication this is a very serious hindrance. The ground surface of Mesopotamia is, of course, silt, deposited by the overflow of the Tigris and Its tributaries; the top surface is dust. In summer the strong winds raise it in choking clouds; in winter the heavy rains convert the country into a mud morass. The transport services feel this great drawback most as progress through the clinging mud Is very laboriousretreats westwards and takes up position at Essin six miles east of Kut. Jr uuary 13. General Aylmer again engaged, at the Wadi position twenty-five miles east of Kut. January 27. Partial Turkish withdrawal from before Kut reported by General Townshend. Pebruary 4. Heavy resistance encountered by General Aylmer’s relieving force.General Aylmer’s force at Orah Is twenty-three u1′ from Kut-el-Amara the Turks are concentrated In at Umm-el-Henna and are opposing the advance. Tn country offers its defenders three natural advantoge against enveloping movements by a force proceeding along the river. The first Is the absence of water I land. The second is the presence In many placesImpassable swampy ground extending to within a mile I. ,;”0 the Tigris, as the Khor-i Suwekie. The third „f, uniform flatness of the terrain and the consequent tho .vLw nc? ,of natural cover to the attacker, whether no nhnto,!*? Jrantal or. enveloping. Also there are cover to oh h,edges’ villages, or banks to give any cover to advancing troops.
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< Prev ArticleTHE GERMANS AND BULGARIANS IN SERBIA: The German Emperor Visits Nish with King FerdinandNext Article >The RUSSIAN FORWARD THRUST in GALICIAYou are on page 186 of 2Issue 839. – Vol 64Feb, 19 1916Sphere
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