Persia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 27, 30 September 1915, Page 5

Persia

A BRITISH VICTORY. TURKS RETREAT TO BAGDAD. United Press Assooiation. (Received 8.30 a.m.) London, September 29. Official.—The British won an important success in Mesopotamia. The Turks are retreating towards Bagdad. BRITISH SUCCESS AT KUT-EL-AMARA. TURKS SEVERELY HANDLED. (Received 11.20 a.m.) London, September 29.' The Right Hon. Austin Chamberlain (Secretary for State for India) in the House of Commons announced that General Dixon’s operations with the Sixth Division on the Tigris on Tuesday were completely successful. The enemy were seven miles east of Kul-el-Arnara following the river bank. Two British brigades under General Delamin crossed the river, gained the enemy’s position and captured it by a night march to Kut-el-Amara where we strongly entrenched at night. Armoured motor cars and cavalry engaged the Turkish cavalry. The Turkish losses were severe. Our casualties were under 500. Much munitions and many prisoners were captured.

Kut-el-Amara is about 170 miles south-east of Bagdad. It is situated on the western bank of the Tigris. The British force have now penetrated about 300 miles into Mesopotamia. There are valuable naval oil-fields in the district nearer the coast, which the Turks threatened early in the war. A victory at Basra ensured the safety of the oil pipe which runs from the wells to the coast. The Mesopotamian campaign is the hardest in the whole war on account of the climatic conditions. The majority of the troops employed are Indian. ONE OF BRITAIN’S LITTLE WARS MESOPOTAMIAN SUCCESS CONFIRMED. ■■ | C'j i. .■ ■ v ; : ;v rr The High Commissioner reports; London, September 29 (5.55 p.m.) ■ • Mr Chamberlain” announced iii' tht? House of Conmioris : that the'‘ enemy positions on the ’Tigris have been takfen? 5 Several IxundhetP prisoners and many guns were captured. The enemy are retreating on Bagdad, and our forces hre pursuing'; British casualties were under 500, while the enemy losses were heavy.