"FLIES OF THE NAVY"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 86, 4 January 1918, Page 6

"FLIES OF THE NAVY"

GUNBOATS AT BAGDAD A FIREFLY'S ADVENTURES ' The story of tlie part taken by a British flotilla of gunboats in the capture of Bagdad adds a brilliant chapter to our naval annals. .It is told, in a report, published in the official "Gazette," by Captain Wilfrid Nunn, upon whom the command unexpectedly devolved, and who, says Admiral Sir K. Wemyss in his covering dispatch, has "shown a very remarkable capacity for command." The names of the gunboats (the stinging flies of the Navy) which took part in the operations are:— Moth Gnat Butterfly Sawfly Snakefly, Greenfly Gadfly Stoneliy Mayfly. Waterfly Firefly Grayfly Scotsown Flycatcher Tarantula. Mantis \

Firefly, as will be seen from the narrative of tho operations, has a remarkable record, and will take ,her place among ships that have made history. On the Road to Bagdad. Captain Nunn describes the successful assault of the formidable Saunaiyat position, ending in "a general retreat which developed later mto a rout." Kut was reached 011 February 25, and Captain Nunn himself hoisted the Union Jack over tho town. The same morning the "ilies" of tho Navy pressed 011 tip tho Tigris in pursuit of the retreating Turkish Army. Soon the small craft were abreast of our infantry, and a battle was begun and continued all day. The enemy opened an accurate fire with field batteries and 5.6 howitzers, and all our ships were hit with splinters of shell, but luckily no serious damage was done. Bjhailah was tho next enemy town captured. Beyond, the town several steamers were seen, among them H.M.S. Firefly, which had to be abandoned on December 1, 1915, when her boiler was disabled by a shell and our forco was surrounded. The part taken in the further operations by Firefly is best described iu Captain Nunn's own words Firefly's Good Shooting. "We shortly afterwards got iuto gun range of the small shipping and opened a heavy firoj particularly 011 Firefly arid the armed enemy ship Pioneer, who both replied. The Firefly rnado some good shooting at us with her 4in. gun. The enemy were firing at us from three directions, and 011 approaching Nahr Kellak bend I observed -a large, body of enemy, ua tlie left bank at the head of tho loop in tho river, and gave orders for all guns to be fired on them.

"They proved to be a strong rearguard, and opened on us with field and niachine-guns and heavy rifle fire. At this fclose range there were casualties in all ships, who were all hit many times, bnt our guns-must have caused immense damage to the enemy, as we were at one time firing 6in. guns into them nt about 400 to 500 yards. Besides the Turkish artillery there were a large number of enemy with rifles and machine-guns behind the bend, at a range of about 100 yards from the ships. "In the act of turning round the bend shots came from all directions, and casualties of Moth, which came last in line, were particularly severe. There wero casualties in all three ships. Moth was hit eight timc6 by shell. "The quartermaster and pilot in the conning tower of 11.M.5. Mantis were killed, bur V prompt action .of her captain sa\ .'.or from running ashore. I consider the excellent spirit of tho men and skilful handling of the ships by their captains in a difficult and unknown shallow river were most praiseworthy. We 'thus passed the enemy rearguard, and .large numbers of the retreating Turkish army were on our starboard beam. I opened rapid fire from all guns that would bear (this included heavy and light guns, pompoms, maxims and rifles), and at this short range we did enormous execution, the enemy being too demoralised to reply, except in a very few eases. Cun Teams Shot Down. "We were also able to shoot down some of their gun teams, which they deserted, and several guns thus fell into the hands of our forces when going over this ground. The vessels ahead were now in easy range, and soveral small craft stopped and surrendered, including the armed tug Sumana, which, we had'left at Kut during the siege, and had been captured at tho fall of that place.' About 5.20 p.m. tho large Turkish steamer Basra surrendered when brought to bs. a shell from E.M.S. Tarantula, whiai had, I was afterwards informed, killed and wounded some German machine gunnels. The Firefly kept up a heavy fire from her 4in. gun, but our reply began to tell on her, and, having been hit soveral timfes, she ran into tho bank and fell into our hands.

"The Pioneer having been badly hit by Mantis, was in flames near her, and some barges laden with munitions in the vicinity. I'he Turks had endeavoured to set fire to tho Firefly's magazine, but we were able to put it outTand took possession of her at once, and I put a prize crew on board and hoisted the White Ensign. "Darkness now came on, and I considered it inadvisable to go 011 further, as we were far ahead of our troops. I placed Lieutenant John P. Bradley, R.N.R. (of H.M.S. Prosperine), in temporary command of Firefly, with a- small crew,'and we moved out of the way of the burning Pioneer, anchored for the night, and buried our men who had been killed." How from this time position after position was captured is vividly described. The Bagdad railway was seized 011 Sunday, March 11, and then Captain Nunn's gunboat flotilla, which included Firefly, with mine-sweepers ahead, proceeded up river and arrived at the citadel at Bagdid at 3.40 in the afternoon of that day. Accompanying the dispatch is a list of awards to officers and men who figured prominently in tho Bagdad operations, headed by the name of' Captain Nunn, who receives tho C.B.