CtesiphonBattle02

On August 22nd, 1915, 3 divisions of the Ottoman IV Corps from Baghdad advanced on our hastily defended positions in Ctesiphon in orfer to dislodge the Tigris Force.

Fighting lasted 2 days with heavy casualties in the Ottoman forces and light casualties in the Imperial forces. The Turks were repulsed from the defended positions and retreated under the cover of darkness.

Following the attack, we will press the retreating forces to limit their ability to re-group whilst pushing on to Baghdad to dislodge what we expect to be light defences.

Battle report

Before the start of the battle, forces were positioned around the main defences to slow the enemy advance.

The Dorsets were positioned near the bridges over the river xxxxx, close to the confluence with the Tigris. The White Company patrolled the north side of the xxxxx with the 7th Lancers screening the ford where we expected the Turks to cross.

The Ghurkas were positioned close to the ruins of Seulicia in anticipation that an attacking ofrce would camp there overnight prior to attacking.

Action on the 22nd

At 8:00 the 30th brigade advanced along the west bank of the Tigris to take on the Arab irregular units in a redoubt opposite the main Ottoman lines. The 16th brigade advanced slowly towards the primary defences, the Punjabis moving wide to flank the secondary defences. They started receiving fire from Ottoman guns placed behind the main lines.

At 9:00 the 2nd and 30th battalions of the 30th brigade advanced on the redoubt and charged the position. They were repulsed several times before driving off the Turks and taking the position with light casualties. The rest of the brigade moved to the banks of the Tigris and started crossing.

At 10:00 the 16th brigade with artillery support drove the Arab irregulars from the primary defences. The 2nd and 30th battalions completed taking the redoubt and swung round to take provide covering fire from the banks of the Tigris. The Wellesleys and the Mahrattas completed crossing the river near the ruins of Ctesiphoin and flanked the secondary Ottoman defences.

At 11:00 the Wellesleys and the Mahrattas advanced through the Turkish defences with enfilading fire from machine guns and the 77mm battery. The 16th brigade assualted the defences with a flanking action from the Punjabis.

At this point the Ottoman resistence crumbled with heavy casualties and the remainder (with the Gendarmerie resrve) attempted to retreat whilst harried by the 7th Lancers and the White Company.

The Turkish 37th division involved (with casualties were) :

The British units involved (with casualties were) :

Commendation to the 76th Punjabis who maintained good order whilst under artillery fire and succeeded in enfilading the main Turkish positions despite losing 1/3 of their force.