Turkey in Asia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 2, 6 December 1915, Page 5

Turkey in Asia

THE PERSIAN CAMPAIGN.

BRITISH SET-BACK IN MESOPOTAMIA.

The High Commissioner reports, un, der date London, December 4, 4.10 p.m. r

In Mesopotamia, General Townsend remained in possession of the battlefield at Otesiphon, beating off counterattacks till the removal of the wounded and 1600 prisoners had been accomplished; but in view of our heavy losses and the arrival of reinforcements he then withdrew. Our total casualties were 4567.

On Tuesday night General Townshend’s forces fought a rearguard action against greatly superior Turkish forces. Our casualties are estimated at 150. •

Our river bouts were disabled and abandoned, their guns and engines being rendered useles sto the enemy.

General Towushend in his report remarks on the steadiness of the troops. They are now within a few miles of Kut-el-Amara, whither they are retiring,

TURKS CLAIM DECISIVE VICTORY.

[United Press association.] London, December 4

Before retiring, General’Townsliend completed the removal of the founded and sixteen hundred prisoners. A Turkish communique, dated December 2 ; has been released for publication. It says that the troops on tbe Irak front are conducting a vigorous pursuit in order to complete the English defeat. It is ascertained that the enemy from November 23 to 26 lost over 5000, and sent about 2400 wounded away by steamer in one day. The enemy tried to arrest the retreat with the rearguard, under protection of monitors, fifteen kilometres southwest of Azizie, but on the night of November 30 a surprise attack forced him to withdraw in the direction of Kut-el-Amara. We captured one hundred camels, provisions, ammunition, various war materials, and three small vessels.

Another Turkish communique, dated December 4, saysOn the Irak front the enemy’s attempts to evade our pursuit, and seeking tbe protection of their gunboats, has always failed owing to our energetic attacks. We have captured several hundred prisoners, two transport vessels laden with provisions, and two gunboats named the Kamed and Firkills, and much I war material. Our forces which were despatched to Kut-el-Amara, are attacking the retreating enemy, inflicting severe losses. A Turkish communique mentions that the Turks have captured four aeroplanes at Azizie, three of which were repaired and are being used against the enemy. RUSSIANS ASSISTING IN THE NORTH. Petrograd, December 4. We pursued the retreating Turks in the Yarkumis region and have approached Bitlis. MISCARRIAGE OF BRITISH PLANS. UNFAITHFUL ARAB TRIBES. (Received 8 a.m.) Amsterdam, December 5. The Vossiche’s Constantinople correspondent states that a spy’s miscarriage of the British plans in Mesopotamia Was' due to - the participation with certain Arab , tribes whom the British believed to be faithful, but ivltq ceded'them to thecTprkfUwhep British prospects wereidnast favorable. ji •: 11 > :—r: — \l r I* ' M< *J / J PRESS OPINION ON THE ENGAGEMENT. _______ 4 '• REJOICINGS IN CONSTANTINOPLE. .. i ij.r. i ' jiin . j * (Received 10.45 a.m.) Loudon, December 5. , Newspapers do not attempt to minimise the disappointment at the eightymile withdrawal from Bagdad, but point out that General ’ Townsliend was outnumbered fourfold. It is evident, (.the -Turkfj’ . losses ■at Otesiphon uferW so heavy that thfej’ had to withdraw until reinforced. The Weekly Despatch says: “If K^ut-el-Anjara, wps. safely; .reached, there is no doubt .General Townsliend j trill be: abteMw- jnrjrtc • f jas the positjpn is ,ver ( >j,strp^.b’,. The Ipaper suggests that the British force ivvas too' weak to defend. The Turks, ! at the end of five-hundred miles of communications were very strong, and a force should have been sent. A German wireless says that the news of the Turkish victory in Mesopotamia, was known in Constantinople on Friday afternoon, and there was great rejoicing, the housps being beflagged. The population of Bagdad gave a concert for the benefit of the wounded.