Mesopotamia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 17, 25 April 1916, Page 5

Mesopotamia

UNSUCCESSFUL BRITISH ATTACK GREAT GALLANTRY UNDER ApVERSE CONDITIONS. FIGHTING IN FLOODED COUNTRY The High Commissioner reports: London, April 23 (6.10. pan.) In Mesopotamia General Lake reports :An attack was made this orning at the Sannaiyat position on the north bank of the Tigris, but it failed. The positions had been systematically bombarded during Thursday and Friday and at intervals during each night and this nierm.g. It was found that it was impossible owing to the floods for not more than one brigade ho attack over a very contracted front. The leading troops of this brigade, consisting of a British composite battalion, advanced with great gallantry, penetrating the enemy’s first and second lines, through a bog and submerged trenches, and a few reached the third line, but the Brigade was unable to maintain itself under the enemy’s counterattacks. The whole of the other Brigade’s /pushed up on the right and left to reinforce them, but they were unable to reach the objectives across the flooded, boggy ground under heavy machine-gun fire. The troops on the right hank were also unable to make much progress.