THE CAMPAIGN IN MESOPOTAMIA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2730, 27 March 1916, Page 5

THE CAMPAIGN IN MESOPOTAMIA

KDT-EL-AMARA BOMBARDED SURPRISE ATTACK ON A TURKISH POST . London, March 25, 5.15' p.m. . ' The High Commissioner reports:— "In Mesopotamia, British, operating on the right bank of the Tigris, seized the small Turkish post of Falaliuieh by a surprise attack and night march on March. 15 and 16. Our casualties were four. " "On March 25, General Toivnshend reported the camp at Kut-el-Amara had been bombarded by the enemy aircraft and guns at intervals between March 21 and 23. His casualties were slight, and the • situation is unchanged." ' IMPERIAL GENERAL STAFF NOW CONTROLS OPERATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, March 24. Colonel Ya'te (Unionist), in the House of Commons, criticised the Mesopotamia campaign. He said it. had been undertaken with an insufficient force and a shortage of ammunition. He asked wh.y the recent reinforcements had not been sent before. . ■> Mr. Austen Chamberlain (Secretary of State for India), replying, paid a tribute to the bravery and endurance of fhe Anglo-Indian troops. The campaign commenced with comparatively small operations by the Indian Army, and grew until it exceeded these resources. The Imperial General Staff here now controlled the campaign instead of the Secretary of State forlndia. 'The transfer of authority had already proved advantageous. It was inadvisable to discuss the questions raised, but he would say that the advance on' Bagdad was not ordered in defiance of military opinion. THE ALLIES' RACE FOR BAGDAD. Roms, March 24. ,~sl Russian diplomatist states that if the Russians occupy' Bagdad before the British, the fact will not lead to any modification in the policy of Russia and England. _____ SAILING VESSELS SUNK IN THJS BLAOK SEA. (Rec. March p.m.) Potrograd, Maroht 26. A Russian communique says: "Our torpedoors destroyed sixteen sailing vessels off the Anatolian ooast."