The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-08-23

naiyat position, on. the left bank of
the Tigris, was elaborated and ex-
tended, with a series of successive po-
sitions, right back to Kut, 10 miles
in the rear. On the Tgris right
bank, the enemyss position was con-
siderably further back and extended
down to and across the Hal, two miles
below its exit from the Tigris On the
left bank of the Tigris, the British
trenches were within 40 yards of the
Turks, on the right bank eli miles
further up-stream} further apart. De-
sultory warfare with intermittent ar
tillery and aerial activity had contin-
ued in these positions for some
months. The dispatch point out that
the Turks by withdrawing the bulk of
their troops from the right bank, and
prolonging their battle 'front.' had left
I their communications exposed, and
that by establishing themselves on the
Hal, the British would be able to
strike at these concentrations, the
marsh covering the Sannaiyat posi-
ton to the north forming an obstacle
to Turkish advance, while the Bril-
fish communications were covered.
| It was decided therefore, the dis
patch continues, to operate as follows:
First, to secure possession Of the Hal,
oOCOAuIJ. " CiCS1I IAlc L III hiSn tT0ICIl
systems still remaining on the right
bank of the Tigris; thirdly, to sap the
enemy's strength by constant attacks,
and give him no rest; fourth, to COM
pei him to give up the Sannaiyat po-
sition, or in default of that, to extend
his attenuated forces more and more
| SO as to counter our strokes against
his communications; and lastly, to
cross the Tigris at the weakest part
| of his line as far west as possible, and
so sever his communications In car
rying out this program our extended
| line offered good opportunities for
making successful feints to cover our
real intention.
Referring to the consolidation of
the British position on the Hal, an
operation which covered a period
from Dec. 10 to Jan. 4, General
Maude says that the concentration of
troops upstream above Sheikh sa' ad
having been completed on Dec. 10
Lieutenant-Ge Cobbe's troops
were assigned the task of holding the
Turks to their positions on the left
I bank of the Tigris and picketing the
right bank as far as Sim banks, while
! the cavalry and Lieutenant General
MarshalPs troops moved by night to
the Hal, crossed that river at a. m
on the 14th and were linked up with
the remainder of the force by pom
toon bridges, General Cobbe, mean
while, keeping the Turks in the San
naiyat busy.
i Further operations gained ground
on the Hail. the enemy bridgehead was
destroyed and an advance was made
up to the Khaidar Bend on the Tigris
General headquarters were now at
i Sinn
The remainder of December was
occupied in consolidating positions on
the Hal, making additional bridges
and roads and laying a light railway
operations which were much ham,
pered by heavy rains and ensuing
floods. Cavalry raids were underta-
ken, and an attempt was made to
/ bridge the Tigris four miles west OF
! Shumran, but this attempt failed, ow-
ing to the enemy having anticipated ii
and made strong intrenchments on
| the further bank.
| AS the result of our occupation OF
the Hal, General Maude points out
that we had secured a position
whence we could control that water
way and directly tn. eaten the enc