IN MESOPOTAMIA

Southland Times, Issue 17654, 11 February 1916, Page 5

IN MESOPOTAMIA

THE VALUE OP KXTT-EL -AMAHA, HO TIimSDEAWAIi CONTEMPLATED. (By Telegraph—Press Assn, —Copyright) DELHI, February 8. An official communique says:— “Major-GeneraJ Townshend is holding Kut-el-Amara as a point of strategical value. Major-General Aylmer’s operations are intended to support him there. No withdrawal is contemplated.” LONDON, February 8. The newspapers give prominence to the communique under the headlng“Kut to be Held.” They say it is clear that the British forces have firmly established their positions in Mesopotamia, and that it is evident they are settling down to trench warfare until the weather improves. A direct caravan road 100 miles in length runs from Baghdad to Kut-el-Amara by way of Gtesiphon. By water the distance is nearly doubled, owing to the winding of the river Tigris. Kut-el-Amara is situated at an important bend of the river, and was captured on September 29th, 1915, when the Turks broke and fled before an impetuous British and Indian attack. They left behind them elaborate entrenchments several miles in length, which the British forces have since greatly developed. There can be no doubt that at present Kut-el-Amara is probably the strongest and most defensible position between Baghdad and the sea. It may therefore be assumed that unless the Turks advance in overwhelming•strength, which is unlikely, the British, forces in Mesopotamia are now free from further serious risk.