FORLORN HOPE ON THE TIGRIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1916, Page 6

FORLORN HOPE ON THE TIGRIS.

' RELIEF OF KUT-EL-AIfARA. ATTEMPT TO RUN BLOCKADE. ■V London, Oct. 20. A de=cvip( u'n is given in a despatch from Cienernl Sir rcrcv Lake of tire final effort to relieve General Townshend's forces in Kut-el-Amara, Only fix days' supplies remained at Kut, anil General Ciorringe's relieving force was nearly worn r.ut by 18 consecutive days' exertion against exceptional climatic and physical obstacles, and with short rations.

There returned but one ch.mce if the relief of Kut were to be accomplished, and that was the introduction by some means of additional supplies into General Townshciid's camp. Faint as the chance was, lite Julnar, one of the fastest steamers on the river, had for somedays been under preparation by the Foyal Navy for an attempt to run the enemy's blockade. At 8 p.m. on April 24. with a crow from the Royal Navy under Lieutenant Firman, R.N., assisted bv Liemenant-Commande- Cowley, K.N.V.R.. the Julnar carrying 270 tons of supplies, left Falahiyah in an attempt to reach Kut. Her departure was covered by all artillery and machine-gun fire that could be brought to bear, in the hope of distracting the enemy's attent;nn. She waa, however, discovered and clicllcd on her passage up the river. At 1 pm. oil the 25th General Townshend reported thai: she had not Strrivcd. and that at mWn'ght a burst of heavy firing had been lizard at Magasis. some M miles from Kut by river, which had suddenly ceased. There could be but little doubt that the enterprise had failed, and the next (lev the air service'reported the Julnar in the hands of the Turks at Magasis. The leaders of this brave, attempt. Lieutenant H. O B. Firman, R.N.. and his issistant; Lieutenant-Commander C. H. Cowley, R.N.V.R.—the latter of whom hud throughout the campaign in Mesopotamia performed magnificent service in command of the Majidieh have been reported by the Tyrks to have been killed: the remainder of the gallant crew, including five wounded, are prisoners of " With the failure of the Julnar there was no further hope of extending the food limit of the garrison of Kut. Everything that was possible with the means to hand had ieen attempted. The troops only desisted from their % efforts. when, through batWc losses, sickness < and c.v« haiution ti'e limit of human endurance had been rebelled. On April 29 Kut