| Regiment | 5th Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Mesopotamia, At CW 91B 80/80 (TC 253) |
| Entry | The Turks being still in KIRKUK the battalion was ordered to attack BAZIYAN, which was reported held by enemy cavalry. At 10.0a.m Major MARR M.C. 40th M. GUN COY, arrived with special orders from the Column Commander and directed operations. The enemy was seen to be retiring from 20 R before the attack commenced from CW 80D. One platoon of 'D' Company acted as escort to guns and in moving forward to mound 20 R CW 69A came under machine gun fire. From CW 80D. No's 1 and 6 platoons under Lieuts KEY and SCOTT pushed forward at 12.40p.m towards BAZIYAN in widely extended order. The left of No.1 was directed on the Western most corner of the village. No's 2 And 5 platoons under Lieuts CRAN and CLARKE moved in support 1000 yards in rear, and 'C' Company under Capt J.H. MOORE 1000 yards further in rear. Communication was maintained by wire to 'C' Company 6 Platoon and column Headquarters. The enemy retired without opposition until these patrols emerged the other side of the village and took up position in a nullah 800 yards N.E. of BAZIYAN. Shelling during the advance was not heavy and by 6.p.m Battalion Hd Qrs was established at N.E. corner of village and the whole Battalion in BAZIYAN without a casualty. Two machine guns were located in wood CW 58D and snipers along southern edge of KIRKUK in CW 59C by our patrols. The roads through BAZIYAN were very bad and several nullahs running through the village rendered it impassable for Armoured Cars. A piquet line covering BAZIYAN and the QAZAN CHAI was posted by 8.0p.m and patrols pushed forward at intervals after the retiring enemy. KIRKUK bridge was gained at 11.30p.m. |
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