This Day in History: 1916-04-05

In Mesopotamia the 1st Battalion, part of 37 Brigade, began an advance westwards against Turkish positions with the aim of relieving the besieged garrison town of Kut-el-Amara.  The Battalion spent much of the following days in reserve, but nonetheless incurred numerous casualties from enemy shelling and sniping.  In spite of some successes including the capture of the Beit Aiessa position, Kut could not be relieved and fell on 29th April.

Moon-like desert landscape near Beit Aiessa and trenches (picture from the Regimental history)