The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-08-23

my's communications west of Shum-
ran; had rendered Nasariyeh safe
against hostile movement, from the
Tigris down the Hal; increased the
possibility of obtaining supplies from
the prosperous districts on the mid,
die Hal, and rendered it correspond
ingly difficult for the enemy to sup
ply himself from there, and inter
posed between the Turks and their
adherents at Shattra.
The operations in the Khadairi
Bend, Jan. to 10, are described. The
eneny's position in the Khadairi
Bend, which he evidently meant to
hold. was, the report states, menace
to our communications with the Hal,
as from there he could inundate part
OF our trenches, when the river was
in high flood. The operations were
assigned to General Cobbe.
The enemy held a swell-prepared
line some $500 yards long, facing east
The ground in front was flat ana
bare, except for a belt of low brush
wood along the river bank on the
northern flank. At the southern end,
200 yaros from the river and parallel
to it, was a double row of sandhills.
on which the enemy had constructed
IA strong point with covered lin ma
of the position was swept by fire from
both flanks from the left bank Of the
river. There was a second line in the
rear, at distances varying from 500 to
1000 yards from the front line, whilst
between the two were trenches and
nalas prepared for defense. The
southern portion of the second line,
and some sandhills 400 yards behind
it, formed a last position, and the
garrison had communication with the
left bank by means Of ferries, which:
owing to the confirmation OF the riv.
|er bend, were protected from direct
rifle and machine gun fire SO long al
this retired position was held.
The preliminary stages of the at
tack entailed digging some $4,000
yards Of trench in constant rain and
exposure to enfilad as well as direct
ped and dug up to zoo or $50 yards
from the enemy by the 7th, a bonn
bardment was carried out on that day
and that 9Th. A partially successful
attack on the 9th was made, complete
success being prevented by fog and
mist and heavy attack
checking progress. Diversions were
meantime made by General Marshall
against the bridgehead.
On the 10th the enemy was forced
back by nightfall to his last position.
On the 18th an attack on this failed
being driven back, after reaching the
objective, by q counter-attack. Gurk-
has, Mahrattes. Manchesters; Frontier
Rifles and Sikhs are mentioned as
! distinguishing themselves. Owing to
/ this last position being effectually
commanded on both TANKS at close
range from across the river, it was
found necessary to construct covered
! approaches under which to assemble
prior to an assault. These were COM
pleted by the 18th and all advanced
posts except one carried. This last
redoubt was captured and lost twice
on the night OF the 17th-the 18th
and finally captured and held on the
| 18th. The final assault, fixed for the
| 10Th, was frustrated by the enemy re,
firing by night across the river un.
der cover of rifle and machine CUR
fire. In these operations the fight.
| ing was severe and mostly hand-to.
hand and showed the Turk that tena.
! cious as he was he had more thar
met his match. His losses were very
heavy in killed, prisoners. andwar'
/ like stores.