TOWNSHEND'S MARCH ON BAGDAD'

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2784, 31 May 1916, Page 5

TOWNSHEND'S MARCH ON BAGDAD'

THE OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ORDER? . Br Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (Rec. May 30, 7.15 p.m.) t London, "May 30. A White Paper covering the. official correspondence on the Mesopotamia campaign shows that General Townshend warned the Government that if it was deFiml to occupy Bagdad two divisions would be necessary. 'I am taking a grave risk in moving on Bagdad with my weak division alone, as tho 'lurks will doubtless send reinforcements.'* The White Paper shows that neither the .Home Government nor the Governmcnt of India was aware of General Townshend's so-called protests. ' Mr lusten Chamberlain (Secretary of State for India) made inquiries m consenuence of rumours which were being circulated in London, and found that General Townshend's statement had been entered in the War Diary or tho Sixth Division on October 3. It was to the effect that it would be absolutely necessary, if the advance from Kut-el-Amara was to be carried out methodically, that two divisions should be employed, exclusive nf the of comnmnication. \Knnf time Sir Jas Nixon (then Commander-in-Chief in Mesopotamia) received General Townshend's' report, he (General Nixon) had heard that another division was coming to Mesopotamia. He communicated that fact to General Townshend. Tho/War Office decided on October 21 that two further divisions should be sent from Prance. . . A Maior-General Kemball twice visited General Townshend by aeroplano m October and November but gave General Nixon no inkling of the fact that General Townshend was doubtful regarding the adequacy of his force. Sir .Tames Nixon Bays that he considered that the dispatch of two divisions fulfilled General recently asked General Townshend what his recollection of "the matter was General Townshend said: "I was certainly taking a grave risk in marching on Bagdad with one weak division, the British battalions of which had been reduced to half-strength. Having called General Nixon's attention to this risk, my conscience was clear. I was prepared to carry «vAar« Tf contrary to discipline to protest m the full sense and meanins of the word." General Townshend adds that in the first instance he himself contemplated getting to Bagdad.