- The German 4th Army had designated today as the earliest possible date at which the planned gas attack on the Ypres salient could be undertaken by XXVI Reserve Corps and 46th Reserve Division. However, throughout the day the winds are totally calm, and the attack is postponed.
- At the start of the war the enormous pressure to increase artillery shell production led to a willingness to comprise quality in the name of quantity, by allowing automobile factories to bore out shell casings with a turning-lathe instead of an hydraulic press. While the new method meant significantly more factories could be switched immediately to shell production, the new shells have a range of problems. The fuses on some shells fail to fire properly; in January a German officer had calculated that 50% of French shells fired in a given day were duds. In other cases, faulty shells exploded prematurely; whereas before the war one artillery piece burst for every 500 000 rounds, by this spring one gun bursts for every 3000 rounds. Thus the issue of munitions production is not simply one of quantity - there is little point in increasing output if the resulting shells are defective. In response to the defects in French artillery shells, the government today reimposes the pre-war standard regarding the use of forged steel.
- When the morning dawns at Shaiba in Mesopotamia, the Ottoman forces have disappeared completely, and such was their haste to retreat that they left behind their camps and everything from rifles to cooked food. For his part, the Ottoman commander felt sufficiently disgraced by the defeat that he assembled his officers and promptly shot himself in front of them. Indeed, the British victory at the Battle of Shaiba results in a growing disinclination among many Arabs to answer the Ottoman call to jihad; indeed, the retreating Ottoman forces are harried by Arabs for a hundred miles up the Euphrates River. The British, however, are unable to immediately follow up their victory by pursuit, the cavalry unprepared to run down the beaten foe. Indeed, the battle itself, for a time on the 14th, hung in the balance, as the British were held up by the Ottoman trench line. Even the British admitted the Ottoman soldiers fought bravely and resolutely, and only a last-minute bayonet charge by the Dorsets had been enough to capture the trench and turn the tide.
Showing posts with label B. of Shaiba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label B. of Shaiba. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
April 14th, 1915
- Overnight a German deserter makes his way across No Man's Land near Langemarck on the northeastern face of the Ypres salient. He informs the French infantry who capture him that the Germans intend to use asphyxiating gases in an imminent attack, and shows the French a crude gas mask. Sufficiently alarmed, the commander of the French division participates personally in the interrogation of the German deserter, and passes the information to his corps commander and a liaison officer from Joffre's headquarters.
- While Joffre agrees with General Dubail's request to continue the offensive against the St.-Mihiel salient, the French Commander-in-Chief today orders the removal of two infantry corps from the Provisional Group of the East, which has the practical consequence of ending large-scale French attacks. This effectively brings to a close the main fighting of the Battle of the Woevre.
- For the past month, the German 11th Army has been planning for a major offensive operation on the Western Front. However, given yesterday's decision to shift the next major offensive from the west to the east, today Falkenhayn orders 11th Army and its eight divisions to the east, where it will spearhead the forthcoming operation at the beginning of May. As its commander Falkenhayn assigns General August von Mackensen, whose talents have been on display on the Eastern Front since the outbreak of the war.
- This evening, after a summons from Falkenhayn, Conrad arrives in Berlin to discuss the situation on the Eastern Front. Only now, two weeks after examination began, does Falkenhayn inform Conrad that the Germans will be undertaking a major offensive operation in the Gorlice-Tarnow region of western Galicia. Naturally Conrad is pleased, but there remains the thorny issue of the command structure. As the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army will be co-operating with the German 11th Army in the operation, Falkenhayn insists that the former take orders from Mackensen. In exchange, Mackensen himself will be under the direction of Conrad, though with the caveat that important decisions are to be taken in consultation with Falkenhayn.
- By dawn today the British defenders at Shaiba realize that the larger portion of the Ottoman force has begun to withdraw. Unwilling to allow the enemy to retreat unmolested, at 930am most of the British force at Shaiba sorties in pursuit. The Ottoman outposts are easily overrun, but by 1030 the British reach Barjisiyeh woods to find the Ottoman entrenched. There follows several hours of bitter fighting, as repeated assaults on the enemy positions fail. Only by late afternoon, as both water and ammunition run low, do the Dorsets carry the first line of the Ottoman trenches. Exhausted, the British abandon their pursuit, and by sundown have returned to their initial lines at Shaiba.
- While Joffre agrees with General Dubail's request to continue the offensive against the St.-Mihiel salient, the French Commander-in-Chief today orders the removal of two infantry corps from the Provisional Group of the East, which has the practical consequence of ending large-scale French attacks. This effectively brings to a close the main fighting of the Battle of the Woevre.
- For the past month, the German 11th Army has been planning for a major offensive operation on the Western Front. However, given yesterday's decision to shift the next major offensive from the west to the east, today Falkenhayn orders 11th Army and its eight divisions to the east, where it will spearhead the forthcoming operation at the beginning of May. As its commander Falkenhayn assigns General August von Mackensen, whose talents have been on display on the Eastern Front since the outbreak of the war.
- This evening, after a summons from Falkenhayn, Conrad arrives in Berlin to discuss the situation on the Eastern Front. Only now, two weeks after examination began, does Falkenhayn inform Conrad that the Germans will be undertaking a major offensive operation in the Gorlice-Tarnow region of western Galicia. Naturally Conrad is pleased, but there remains the thorny issue of the command structure. As the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army will be co-operating with the German 11th Army in the operation, Falkenhayn insists that the former take orders from Mackensen. In exchange, Mackensen himself will be under the direction of Conrad, though with the caveat that important decisions are to be taken in consultation with Falkenhayn.
- By dawn today the British defenders at Shaiba realize that the larger portion of the Ottoman force has begun to withdraw. Unwilling to allow the enemy to retreat unmolested, at 930am most of the British force at Shaiba sorties in pursuit. The Ottoman outposts are easily overrun, but by 1030 the British reach Barjisiyeh woods to find the Ottoman entrenched. There follows several hours of bitter fighting, as repeated assaults on the enemy positions fail. Only by late afternoon, as both water and ammunition run low, do the Dorsets carry the first line of the Ottoman trenches. Exhausted, the British abandon their pursuit, and by sundown have returned to their initial lines at Shaiba.
Monday, April 13, 2015
April 13th, 1915
- Reports have reached Joffre of inadequate preparation prior to the ongoing attacks on the St.-Mihiel salient, and he complains sharply to General Dubail that thoroughness is essential. Dubail responds tactfully to Joffre's concerns, but argues that the assaults should continue.
- For the past several days Falkenhayn and his staff officers have debated the merits of a major shift of forces from the Western to the Eastern Front, which would involve abandoning for the time being any thought of a major offensive in the west in favour of a similar operation in the east. Several officers argue that the most important theatre of the war is the Western Front, and that precious German reserves should only be sent east in the direst of emergencies. Falkenhayn is sympathetic to this line of thinking; indeed, he has long felt that, given the realities of space, a war-winning victory over the Russians is not possible. On the other hand, the detailed planning to date for an offensive on the Western Front has raised concerns whether even with the new reserve divisions sufficient forces can be assembled to ensure a reasonable chance of success. On the other hand, the army of Austria-Hungary is clearly in dire straits, and the most recent check of the Russian advance in the Carpathians was almost entirely due to the intervention of the German Beskid Corps. Should the Russians break through the Carpathians, German's only neighbouring ally could be knocked out of the war entirely, with disastrous consequences. This is to say nothing, of course, of how Austria-Hungary is to defend itself if it has to deploy forces from the Carpathians to the Alps in case of an Italian attack.
With the greatest of reluctance, Falkenhayn concludes that the situation on the Eastern Front requires further German intervention, and that the strategic reserve being assembled on the Western Front will instead have to be sent east to undertake a major offensive operation to relieve Russian pressure on the Austro-Hungarians. Today Falkenhayn seeks and receives the Kaiser's approval for the redeployment eastwards.
- This morning the heaviest fighting at Shaiba is to the west of the British position, where a large body of Arab irregulars have established themselves on a small rise in the ground known as the North mound. First a small cavalry force is sent to capture the heights, which is instead all but wiped out. With this result in mind, the commander of 30th Brigade orders a more co-ordinated attack, with three battalions advancing with the support of British artillery fire. By 11am the North mound is in British possession and, given that the Arab survivors are streaming westward, the opportunity presents itself for a cavalry pursuit. However, the cavalrymen are presently watering their horses, and the Arabs escape. For the next several hours the British battalions clear out several Ottoman trenches to the west of Shaiba before returning to British lines by 3pm. Elsewhere, Ottoman forces launch a series of half-hearted attacks from the south, which are easily repulsed.
- The commander of German forces in Kamerun issues orders today to reduce the garrison at Garua to only one-and-a-half companies. He fears that a British advance could trap a substantial force in Garua; instead, he intends to hold the region via mobile columns that can shift rapidly to counter any axis of British advance.
- As the blockade runner Rubens made its way towards German East Africa, the commander of the German light cruiser Königsberg decided that if Rubens made for the Rufiji delta, it would be inevitably intercepted by the British warships keeping Königsberg contained. Instead he has ordered the blockade runner to make for Mansa Bay, knowing its cargo would also be invaluable to Lettow-Vorbeck's forces in holding the colony. As Rubens enters Mansa Bay today, it is hotly pursued by the British cruiser Hyacinth. Under enemy fire, Rubens runs aground, and after several shells strike its topside is ablaze. The captain of Hyacinth is convinced the blockade runner is a total wreck, and breaks off.
This proves to be a colossal error, as the fire aboard Rubens was deliberately set by the Germans to deceive the British. Most of the ammunition and weapons remained intact below the waterline, and as soon as the wreck had cooled salvage operations began. Over the next five weeks, 2000 tons of coal, 7000 rounds of naval shells, 1500 rifles, and 4.5 million rounds of ammunition, along with clothing and other equipment, are brought ashore. These supplies are vital to the long-term defense of German East Africa, and their arrival a blow to the British.
- For the past several days Falkenhayn and his staff officers have debated the merits of a major shift of forces from the Western to the Eastern Front, which would involve abandoning for the time being any thought of a major offensive in the west in favour of a similar operation in the east. Several officers argue that the most important theatre of the war is the Western Front, and that precious German reserves should only be sent east in the direst of emergencies. Falkenhayn is sympathetic to this line of thinking; indeed, he has long felt that, given the realities of space, a war-winning victory over the Russians is not possible. On the other hand, the detailed planning to date for an offensive on the Western Front has raised concerns whether even with the new reserve divisions sufficient forces can be assembled to ensure a reasonable chance of success. On the other hand, the army of Austria-Hungary is clearly in dire straits, and the most recent check of the Russian advance in the Carpathians was almost entirely due to the intervention of the German Beskid Corps. Should the Russians break through the Carpathians, German's only neighbouring ally could be knocked out of the war entirely, with disastrous consequences. This is to say nothing, of course, of how Austria-Hungary is to defend itself if it has to deploy forces from the Carpathians to the Alps in case of an Italian attack.
With the greatest of reluctance, Falkenhayn concludes that the situation on the Eastern Front requires further German intervention, and that the strategic reserve being assembled on the Western Front will instead have to be sent east to undertake a major offensive operation to relieve Russian pressure on the Austro-Hungarians. Today Falkenhayn seeks and receives the Kaiser's approval for the redeployment eastwards.
- This morning the heaviest fighting at Shaiba is to the west of the British position, where a large body of Arab irregulars have established themselves on a small rise in the ground known as the North mound. First a small cavalry force is sent to capture the heights, which is instead all but wiped out. With this result in mind, the commander of 30th Brigade orders a more co-ordinated attack, with three battalions advancing with the support of British artillery fire. By 11am the North mound is in British possession and, given that the Arab survivors are streaming westward, the opportunity presents itself for a cavalry pursuit. However, the cavalrymen are presently watering their horses, and the Arabs escape. For the next several hours the British battalions clear out several Ottoman trenches to the west of Shaiba before returning to British lines by 3pm. Elsewhere, Ottoman forces launch a series of half-hearted attacks from the south, which are easily repulsed.
- The commander of German forces in Kamerun issues orders today to reduce the garrison at Garua to only one-and-a-half companies. He fears that a British advance could trap a substantial force in Garua; instead, he intends to hold the region via mobile columns that can shift rapidly to counter any axis of British advance.
- As the blockade runner Rubens made its way towards German East Africa, the commander of the German light cruiser Königsberg decided that if Rubens made for the Rufiji delta, it would be inevitably intercepted by the British warships keeping Königsberg contained. Instead he has ordered the blockade runner to make for Mansa Bay, knowing its cargo would also be invaluable to Lettow-Vorbeck's forces in holding the colony. As Rubens enters Mansa Bay today, it is hotly pursued by the British cruiser Hyacinth. Under enemy fire, Rubens runs aground, and after several shells strike its topside is ablaze. The captain of Hyacinth is convinced the blockade runner is a total wreck, and breaks off.
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| The German blockade runner Rubens aground in Mansa Bay. |
This proves to be a colossal error, as the fire aboard Rubens was deliberately set by the Germans to deceive the British. Most of the ammunition and weapons remained intact below the waterline, and as soon as the wreck had cooled salvage operations began. Over the next five weeks, 2000 tons of coal, 7000 rounds of naval shells, 1500 rifles, and 4.5 million rounds of ammunition, along with clothing and other equipment, are brought ashore. These supplies are vital to the long-term defense of German East Africa, and their arrival a blow to the British.
 |
| The salvage operation to recover supplies and ammunition from the wreck of Rubens. |
Sunday, April 12, 2015
April 12th, 1915
- After several days of artillery bombardment, a renewed French assault is launched at 10am against a four kilometre stretch of the German line west of Maizeray. This operation was one of the methodical attacks promised by General Dubail to Joffre on the 10th. However, the advancing infantry make no progress whatsoever. General Augustin Gérard, commander of the army detachment that launched the attack at Maizaray, blames the failure on the artillery bombardment, which cut only some of the wire and left the Germand defences and artillery positions largely unmolested. Moreover, the prior months of 'stagnation' on this front had given the Germans time to establish a formidable defensive position, with wire barriers up to five hundred metres deep in places and concrete casemates to protect their infantry. Gérard's report to Dubail concludes that 'to continue to seek a penetration of the enemy line in this region with quickly prepared attacks, one risks . . . ruining an excellent infantry and destroying its confidence without [achieving any] results.'
- Joffre sends a lengthy communication to Grand Duke Nicholas at Russian army headquarters today, in which he emphasizes the important of co-ordinating offensive operations between the French and British in the west, the Russians in the east, and the Serbs in the Balkans. If simultaneous attacks can be launched, the Germans and Austro-Hungarians will be tied down on all fronts and the possibility increases of securing a substantial victory. The French Commander-in-Chief also seeks to reassure Grand Duke Nicholas, in the face of German redeployments from west to east since November, that the French army has done and is doing everything in its power to attack the Germans.
- Enver Pasha is eager to see a land link opened between the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary, which would allow the free flow of munitions and supplies and relieve many of the desparate shortages now existing in the Ottoman army. As the conquest of Serbia the means by which this link can be achieved, the Ottoman War Minister writes to Falkenhayn today to offer to place two Ottoman corps at the disposal of the Bulgarian army, should the latter join in an offensive against Serbia undertaken by Austria-Hungary and Germany.
- Over the past week the men of the ANZAC Corps have been arriving on the island of Lemnos, having been assigned to participate in the amphibious operation against the Gallipoli peninsula, and today the ocean liner Minnewaska, carrying the divisional and corps command staff, moors in the immense anchorage at Mudros.
- In Lower Mesopotamia the now-expected Ottoman attack on the British defensive position at Shaiba opens this morning when a dozen Ottoman artillery pieces commence firing at dawn. From 9am through nightfall, the Ottoman infantry, aided by Arab irregulars, launch a series of attacks on the British line from the south, but are halted by barbed wire and machine-gun fire, and the British and Indians suffer only five dead and sixty-six wounded. To the east, the Indian 30th Brigade, is slogging through the ruins of Old Basra between Basra and Shaiba. With news arriving of the Ottoman attack, and an overland advance impossible given the knee-deep flood waters, General Nixon orders the brigade back to Basra. There they collect eighty boats, sufficient for brigade headquarters and the 24th Punjabis, and after 4pm begin moving up the river towards Shaiba. Though sailing under fire, they arrive at the British line between 830pm and midnight.
- Joffre sends a lengthy communication to Grand Duke Nicholas at Russian army headquarters today, in which he emphasizes the important of co-ordinating offensive operations between the French and British in the west, the Russians in the east, and the Serbs in the Balkans. If simultaneous attacks can be launched, the Germans and Austro-Hungarians will be tied down on all fronts and the possibility increases of securing a substantial victory. The French Commander-in-Chief also seeks to reassure Grand Duke Nicholas, in the face of German redeployments from west to east since November, that the French army has done and is doing everything in its power to attack the Germans.
- Enver Pasha is eager to see a land link opened between the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary, which would allow the free flow of munitions and supplies and relieve many of the desparate shortages now existing in the Ottoman army. As the conquest of Serbia the means by which this link can be achieved, the Ottoman War Minister writes to Falkenhayn today to offer to place two Ottoman corps at the disposal of the Bulgarian army, should the latter join in an offensive against Serbia undertaken by Austria-Hungary and Germany.
- Over the past week the men of the ANZAC Corps have been arriving on the island of Lemnos, having been assigned to participate in the amphibious operation against the Gallipoli peninsula, and today the ocean liner Minnewaska, carrying the divisional and corps command staff, moors in the immense anchorage at Mudros.
- In Lower Mesopotamia the now-expected Ottoman attack on the British defensive position at Shaiba opens this morning when a dozen Ottoman artillery pieces commence firing at dawn. From 9am through nightfall, the Ottoman infantry, aided by Arab irregulars, launch a series of attacks on the British line from the south, but are halted by barbed wire and machine-gun fire, and the British and Indians suffer only five dead and sixty-six wounded. To the east, the Indian 30th Brigade, is slogging through the ruins of Old Basra between Basra and Shaiba. With news arriving of the Ottoman attack, and an overland advance impossible given the knee-deep flood waters, General Nixon orders the brigade back to Basra. There they collect eighty boats, sufficient for brigade headquarters and the 24th Punjabis, and after 4pm begin moving up the river towards Shaiba. Though sailing under fire, they arrive at the British line between 830pm and midnight.
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| The British position at Shaiba, west of Basra, and the Ottoman advance and retreat, April 1915. |
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| Machine gunners of the 120th Rajputana Rifles, 18th Infantry Brigade, in a trench at Shaiba, April 12th, 1915. |
Saturday, April 11, 2015
April 11th, 1915
- The Germans have completed the installation of chlorine gas cylinders between the villages of Poelcappelle and Steenstraat on the northeastern face of the Ypres salient, and now await a favourable wind make use of them for the first time.
- For the past week the French have launched regular attacks on the German lines at Vauquois in the Argonne, in order to draw German reserves away from the St.-Mihiel salient as the French offensive there continues. However, the operations against Vauquois have not only failed to distract the Germans, but have not gained any significant ground whatsoever.
- At the end of March, General Ruzskii had finally been dismissed as commander of North-West Front. His replacement was General Mikhail Alexeyev, formerly Ivanov's chief of staff for South-West Front. Despite his former working relationship with Ivanov, he proves no more willing to co-operate than Ruzskii had been, jealously guarding the units assigned to North-West Front from perceived efforts to reassign them southwards. Today Russian army headquarters warns Alexeyev that western Galicia, in the area of Gorlice and Tarnow, might be threatened with attack. Alexeyev ignores the message, likely believing that it is simply another plot by Ivanov to steal more of his divisions. Though this area is precisely that being examined by the Germans, the warning is premature, given that Falkenhayn has not even decided whether to send more forces to the Eastern Front. Nevertheless, the irony of Alexeyev's non-response is telling of the muddle in the Russian command structure.
- General Nixon, the new commander of Indian forces in southern Mesopotamia, decides today to send the just-arrived 30th Brigade from Basra west to reinforce the defensive position at the village of Shaiba. Unknown to Nixon, the commander of Ottoman forces in the region, Suleiman Askeri Bay, has assembled a force of 4000 regulars and 18 000 Arab-Kurdish irregulars to target Shaiba in the first significant counteroffensive since the British occupied Basra and the surrounding territory. Their advance is observed by the Indian garrison today, and their British commander sends warning to Nixon that an enemy attack is imminent.
- For the past week the French have launched regular attacks on the German lines at Vauquois in the Argonne, in order to draw German reserves away from the St.-Mihiel salient as the French offensive there continues. However, the operations against Vauquois have not only failed to distract the Germans, but have not gained any significant ground whatsoever.
- At the end of March, General Ruzskii had finally been dismissed as commander of North-West Front. His replacement was General Mikhail Alexeyev, formerly Ivanov's chief of staff for South-West Front. Despite his former working relationship with Ivanov, he proves no more willing to co-operate than Ruzskii had been, jealously guarding the units assigned to North-West Front from perceived efforts to reassign them southwards. Today Russian army headquarters warns Alexeyev that western Galicia, in the area of Gorlice and Tarnow, might be threatened with attack. Alexeyev ignores the message, likely believing that it is simply another plot by Ivanov to steal more of his divisions. Though this area is precisely that being examined by the Germans, the warning is premature, given that Falkenhayn has not even decided whether to send more forces to the Eastern Front. Nevertheless, the irony of Alexeyev's non-response is telling of the muddle in the Russian command structure.
- General Nixon, the new commander of Indian forces in southern Mesopotamia, decides today to send the just-arrived 30th Brigade from Basra west to reinforce the defensive position at the village of Shaiba. Unknown to Nixon, the commander of Ottoman forces in the region, Suleiman Askeri Bay, has assembled a force of 4000 regulars and 18 000 Arab-Kurdish irregulars to target Shaiba in the first significant counteroffensive since the British occupied Basra and the surrounding territory. Their advance is observed by the Indian garrison today, and their British commander sends warning to Nixon that an enemy attack is imminent.
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