The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1915-02-06
FIGHTING WITH
TURKS AND ARABS

London, Jan. Fighting the
Turks and Arabs in the desert of Me-
sopotamia, where in places even cam
els cannot SO; where after the Euph.
rates is left behind water is more
precious than powder and the tribes
men show no quarter to the wounded,
Is described by Sergt. A. Kingdom,
OF the Second battalion Norfolk regi-
ment In letter to his mother at
Thetford.
I'VE came by ship (from India) up
the river Euphrates," he writes, "and
disembarked on lovely landing, up
to the waist in mud and water. Not
a tree in sight nor a blade of grass,
except on the river banks, which are
covered with date palms. We march
ed all the next day through mud.
Anything with wheels cannot be TAX
! en-, and packs Of mules and camels
are no good, because their big feet
piSh up tOo muCu SdHu.
I'VE lay In the wet mud on the des.
ert all night and moved away early
again in the morning, to find the
enemy in position. They consisted
OF Turks and Arabs, about 400 yards
to our front. The attack was pushed
home under cover of our mountain
batteries; the field artillery came up
later. The artillery horses were SO
completely knocked out that they
could not walk away from the guns
when unlocked. The troops also
were knocked out; and In the mean.
time the enemy's artillery was having
1t all their own way.
"Our rifles were absolutely choked
inside with mud, and the bolt action
and sights had to be made to work
before an accurate fire could be ef-
fected. Some of the men, rather
than drink the muddy slush from
their water bottles, stood and emptied
1t in their bolt action, although wa
ter Is SO scarce, and slush worth a
gold piece an ounce.
II was more fortunate; my socks
had shrunk so small that was bet.
ter able to march without one, SO
cut Off the toe and put IL over my
bolt action. So my rife was fairly
clean. We were caked with clay
from head to foot. When the sun
did come out for time and We saw
chance of cracking 1t Off, a thun.
derstorm came over and softened 1t
into a sticky paste.
Our only transport is mules with
ammunition and they frequently fall
down and have to be picked up. Any
how, the enemy were In the trenches |
with a decided advantage and were
delivering a murderous fire. But by |
supreme effort after we got the
enemy's range we kept our fire cool. |
ly delivered and within half an hour
the Turks were retiring, leaving the
Arabs to cover their retreat. They
remained another quarter OF an hour,
and meanwhile we had fixed our bay.
onets for the grande finale-but evi.
IDENTIFY they did not wish to prolong
their stay.
Everyone, especially the Indians,
was anxious for a charge, but the
birds flew before we reached their
trenches. 1t is alright fighting the
Turks; but the Arabs use big muz.
zle rifles with an enormous lead bull
let which will smash anything and
not make pretty little hole like the
Turks pointed bullet which will heal
In no time. The black powder from
the Arabs rifles also causes SO much
smoke that 1t is impossible to see
the actual firer. They are n blood.
thirsty lot, these Arabs, and when
the men lay wounded they will shoot
you at a yards distance. Rsubadar
Of the natives was shot in this way.
On the day after the battle we found
the Jackals had been at work"