CHAPTER V
THE GREAT WAR
Egypt—Shaiba—Khafajiyeh—Euphrates—Nasariyeh—First Battle of Kut
1914.
Orders were received to mobilize, as for service in Europe, on October 21st, and the Battalion mobilized to full strength plus ten per cent. in seventy-two hours. A draft of 120 men of the 87th Punjabis, under Captain S. M. H. Baillie, was sent to the Battalion in place of its own reservists, who could not be called up in time. A depot was left in Jhelum under Captain E. Milford.
The Battalion embarked at Karachi on October 31st as part of the 30th Indian Infantry Brigade, under Major-General C. J. Melliss, V.C., which comprised the 24th Punjabis, 126th Baluchistan Infantry, and 2/7th Gurkha Rifles. The Brigade disembarked at Suez and took over the defence of the Little Bitter Lake-Suez Section of the Suez Canal, on which the Battalion found various posts with Headquarters at Suez. On the Turks threatening attack the whole Battalion took up position on the canal banks. Beyond one or two very small actions and one reconnaissance by two companies into the desert, no fighting took place in this sector.
1915.
On March 13th the 28th Brigade relieved the 30th, which concentrated at Suez for embarkation. The Brigade sailed from Suez on March 22nd, and great disappointment was felt that it was sailing southwards instead of northwards to France, as had been expected.
On April 7th the Battalion arrived at Basra and went into camp at Makina, where the Brigade was concentrating as part of the newly-formed 12th Division.
On April 12th the Brigade attempted to reinforce the garrison of Shaiba by wading through mud and water across the inundated country between Zobeir Gate and Old Basra but, owing to the farther bank being strongly held by the enemy, was ordered to retire when half-way across. Several attempts to cross by bellum were made, but priority had to be given to urgently required ammunition and rations, so the Battalion remained in bivouac at Zobeir Gate. Detachments were provided to protect the bellum convoys and drive off hostile craft.
After Shaiba the Battalion returned to Makina Camp and a few days later embarked for Ahwaz, and joined the concentration of the 12th Division, under Major-General Gorringe, at Sabeh on April 28th.