Battle of the Marl Plain

On 11 March, the British army victoriously marched into Baghdad. The Turks were defeated, but not broken.^[4] Ali Ihsan's force was far from being crippled. He was now aiming for the Marl Plain, and the route he had chosen followed the Khalis Canal via Delli Abbas [ar]. To assist him, Halil transferred Shefket [tr]'s Corps across the Tigris to the Shatt El Adhaim. While the Battle of Mount Hamrin was being fought, a force of about 5,000 infantry and 500 cavalry was moving toward Sindiya to secure Ali Ihsan's flank.^[5]

Maude realized what was taking place and, determined to prevent Shefket and Ali Ihsan from joining forces, set two simultaneous operations in motion. The 7th Cavalry Brigade, already with Keary's column at Baquba, was reinforced by the rest of the Cavalry Division, and Leslie Jones, the divisional commander, was ordered to stop Ali Ihsan from moving beyond Delli Abbas. At the same time, Caley's 13th Division was sent up the Tigris to deal with Shefket's column near Sindiya. Finding the Turks entrenched near Duqma [ar], Caley attacked, and what became known as the "Battle of the Marl Plain" followed.^[5]

At daybreak, the 40th Brigade was about 5,000 yards from the Turkish advanced line, which consisted of rifle pits less than 1,000 yards in front of the main position.^[6] Caley's intention had been that only the 39th Brigade would make a frontal attack; this would serve to hold the Turks while the other brigade swung around and enveloped the Turks left flank. However, finding that this flank extended far beyond expectations, The 5th Wiltshires, the strongest battalion in the brigade, was selected to lead the assault.^[5] At 7 a.m., they advanced. They moved forward under artillery and rifle fire and took the forward rifle pits, driving out the defenders. Of the roughly 500 men engaged, more than 195, including seven officers, were killed before reaching the first Turkish forward line.^[7]

They were later joined by half of the South Wales Borderers advancing on their left rear.^[8] The combined force dug in while artillery moved forward to closer positions for support.^[8] As the exact location of the main Turkish line was uncertain and casualties were heavy, they were ordered to hold position until the 39th Brigade's attack developed.^[5][7]

Meanwhile, the 39th Brigade was advancing, comprising the 9th Royal Warwicks, the 7th Glosters, and the 7th North Staffords. Covered by the Yeomanry and motor battery on their right, the Warwicks and the Gloucestershire advanced abreast to within about 3,000 yards of the hostile position over open ground. It was 10.30 a.m. and the heat and mirage were increasing. A halt was made for three hours to allow the heat to pass and to provide time for further reconnaissance.^[8]

The artillery came up to close range, and at about 2 p.m. the advance was resumed. All three battalions advanced in line, supported by their guns. During this advance, bands of Arabs threatened the rear of the column and on several occasions cut the cable. The situation was addressed by brigade headquarters. All available personnel, including cooks and orderlies, armed themselves and repelled the attackers, without delaying the advance or diverting troops from the main attack.^[8]

The advance was carried out despite the heat,^[8] and it was not until 2.30 p.m. that the assault on the main line was delivered.^[7] The three battalions present in the brigade, the 9th Royal Warwicks, the 7th Glosters, and the 7th North Staffords, were all committed. After hard fighting, the position was taken, and the three battalions achieved their objectives, capturing 130 prisoners.^[7][5] The Ottoman troops withdrew to the north, and a battery narrowly escaped capture.^[8]

Gunfire could still be heard from the main Turkish position four miles to the south. The Turkish forces were still in position. However, they were almost surrounded.^[8] While this was happening, the 40th Brigade was preparing to launch the main attack. This attack was never launched. The mirage hindered the artillery and it could not suppress the Turkish guns; and the only action taken when the 39th Brigade advanced was to send forward strong patrols. These patrols encountered concentrated enemy fire and failed to locate the hostile position exactly. All plans for an attack, even under cover of darkness, were eventually abandoned.^[8]

At 4.30, two battalions of the 38th Brigade were ordered to join the 39th Brigade, while the reserve was reinforced by a battalion of the 14th Division. It was decided to carry out the postponed attack the following morning.^[9] The 39th Brigade chose to remain where they were and began digging in, holding a semicircular position for the night, as the column considered itself isolated.^[10] The night passed quietly, and at dawn it was found that the Turkish troops had withdrawn during the night, falling back on the Shatt-el-Adhaim.^[7][10] The desired result of the battle—the prevention of the junction of the 13th Army Corps with the 18th—was attained.^[7]