| Regiment | 5th Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Mesopotamia, At Tuz Khurmatli |
| Entry | 6 N.C.O's rejoined from one months leave to INDIA. Training The training of the battalion was continued under full pressure during the month in order to be ready if required for operations by the 15th September. During the latter part of the month more attention was paid to Field Work and Musketry, the battalion carrying out 3 Field Schemes per week combined with 10 mile marches including one Night Operations. Ten minutes rapid fire was performed daily. On the 16th inst. a mounted reconnaissance commanded by Major R.I. SCORER M.C. consisting of 2 troops 12th Cavalry with one Section Machine Guns proceeded to MINASIR TC 251 CM 47 A 40/20 with view to inspecting dumps and reporting on possibilities of supplies etc in connection with TUZ MOBILE COLUMN. Report of Reconnaissance is attached as Appendix II. Sickness Sickness for the month 4.9 showed marked increase on previous month and was due entirely to an epidemic of Spanish influenza, which made it s presence felt in the garrison. Patients suffered high fever together with usual influenza pains and were incapacitated for about a week, which included 3 days convalescence. No serious cases occurred among the White troops but several I.O.R's were badly effected although no deaths occurred. The epidemic gradually worked itself out and was by no means as dislocating to training and organisation as experienced in garrisons further SOUTH. Enemy The enemy pursued his apathetic policy and showed no inclination to attack. L.A.M.B reconnaissance periodically drove him from his outpost positions, on one occasion causing him casualties. Further information was obtained as to possible crossing over the TAUQ CHAI in view of possible attack on TAUQ, the L.A.M.B attacked showing great initiative and skill in the traversing of very difficult ground. Various additional water supplies were also located for use in future operations. R. Ivor Scorer Major Comdg 5th (S) Bn The Wiltshire Regt. Field 1.10.18 Remarks: Appendix I Nominal Roll of Officers and Appendix II Reconnaissance Report are attached. Appendix I Nominal Roll of Officers present with 5th (S) Battalion Wiltshire Regiment Rank Initials Name Regiment Remarks A/Major R.I. Scorer MC 5th Wilts Commanding Officer Capt S.W. Rintoul R.A.M.C. Medical Officer Capt A.E. Martelli att Queens R.W. Surreys O.C. 'A' Company Capt R.G. Griffiths 1st Wiltshire O.C. 'B' Company A/Capt J.M. Dodington 5th Wiltshire O.C. 'D' Company A/Capt J.H. Snelgar 1st Wiltshire A/Adjutant A/Capt F.E. Kreis M.C. 5th Wiltshire Grenadier Officer Lieut C.F. Cran 5th Wiltshire Lieut G.N. Robertson Attch 2nd Gordons O.C. 'C' Company Lieut D.W. Pugh Attch 1st & 2nd Wilts offg Quartermaster Lieut R.G. Thompson " Lewis Gun Officer Lieut A Davey 101st T.R. Battalion Gas and Wiring Officer Lieut G.M. Miles-Bailey 3rd Hampshire Lieut N. Kaines 3rd Wiltshire Lieut E.T.S. Salmon 5th Wiltshire Intelligence Officer Lieut G.L.C. Key 5th Wiltshire Lewis Gun Officer Lieut E.J. Douglas 4th A & S Highlanders Grenadiers Officer Lieut S.C.R.L. Clarke 2nd Wiltshire Lewis Gun Officer Lieut H. Brown att. 1st Gordons Lieut J White 5th Royal Scots Wiring Officer Lieut T. Stewart Brechin 7thGordons Signalling Officer 2/Lieut G.R. Grosvenor Gen List New Armies 2/Lieut R.J. Anwyl att 1st & 2nd Wiltshire 2/Lieut C.P. Parsons 6th Wiltshire P.T. & Bayonet Fighting 2/Lieut C. Sergeaunt 1st & 2nd Wiltshire " 2/Lieut W.G. Dawson " R. Ivor. Scorer Major Comdg 5th (S) Bn The Wiltshire Regt. Field 1.10.18. Appendix II Reconnaissance Report To 40th Brigade I forward hereunder report of reconnaissance from TUZ to MENASIR carried out 16th/17th September 1918. 1. From TUZ to LUK (9 1/2 miles) The reconnaissance proceeded through the gorge at Tuz, thence East up bed of AQ SU to Luk via route previously reported. Very bad going and just fit for pack transport. From LUK to MENASIR Arab track leads roughly N.E. over undulating country. Good going generally and with little work on one or two rough places wheeled transport could well pass. The ordinary advanced party with tools could well effect all necessary improvements. Distance from LUK to MENASIR 5 miles. MENASIR consists of 40 to 50 houses and is situated on a semi-isolated hill about 4 miles WEST of the main ridge of hills running N.W to TAUQ CHAI and separating GIL from the plains. From the look out post at MENASIR the whole of the country from the N.W. to the SOUTH via WEST is in full view. Hills to the N and E leading to the main ridge obstruct view in this direction. The inhabitants appeared to be very well fed and were clean and well clothed, there were practically no signs of the poverty prevalent in the villages nearer to our lines. 2. Supplies - Grain The inhabitants are chiefly cultivators, and although at present there is little cultivation except a few Melons and Beans, a large area is prepared for the cultivation of Wheat and Barley. The inhabitants are awaiting the rains which are due in one month. Sheep There were 1000 head of sheep and goats assorted but very few cattle. Wood There was no wood and very little brushwood. All fuel would have to be transported there. Water A spring runs through the village all the year round. At present it is very low but there is ample water for a Brigade to camp there. The water is quite sweet. Dumps The dump for the Mobile Column was nearly complete, it contained 8000lbs Barley (bagged) 6000lbs Bhaasa (not bagged). More Bhaasa is being collected. 3. Communication Communication by heliograph was maintained with Wilts station at the IMAM, TUZ, this point standing out as a prominent land mark. 4 ROUTES FROM MENASIR TO NEIGHBOURING VILLAGES:- (a) To Qalganti Saghir - 2 miles N.W. by Arab tracks over undulating country. (b) To Qanganti Kebir - 4 miles N.W. via (a) (c) To Kulekani - 6 miles N.W via (a) and (b) Track reported good. (d) To Chalan Duanah (TC 251) 2 miles on bearing 74 degrees (mag) - track can be seen winding up hills to this village. (e) To Gil - 9 miles EAST (roughly), track reported good, except for a distance of about two miles through the hills which is rough going. The Mudir of MENASIR informs me that there was an average number of 1000 head of sheep with a few cattle at each of villages (a) (c) and (d) while at (b) there were 2000 sheep. 5. General No Turks had been to MENASIR or the immediate neighbourhood for 3 months. The Mudir stated that a Turkish Cavalry patrol about 40 strong had been reported at a place called Sinjur about 6 miles WEST of ALI AGHA (CF 22 D. TC 211) on the right bank TAUQ CHAI about the 11th inst. He further stated that the road from MENASIR to SHURWAH (CF 34D) was very bad. The villagers of ALI AGHA and YANIJAH KUCHUK (CF 61A) could be clearly seen from the L.O.P at MENASIR. TAUQ was hidden by high ground. R. Ivor Scorer Major Comdg 5th (S) Bn The Wiltshire Regt. Field 17.9.18 |
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