Battle of Hasan Abdal

Battle of Hasan Abdal
Part of British Ottaman war
Date January 1917 Location Hasan Abdal Result British India victory[1]
Belligerents
British India	Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Cr Gylan † Captain HR Wilson (WIA) Captain Huss (WIA) Chimanji Garud Sawalaram Barhate Kondhiba Wagh Mumford † Vithoba Jagatap Genu Pawar	Kâzım Karabekir Nureddin Pasha
Units involved
Maratha Light Infantry[1] Gorkha Regiment Burma Regiment	Ottaman army
Casualties and losses
214 killed or Wounded[1]	Several turkish killed and taken as Prisoner

On January 8, 1917, the 105th Maratha Light Infantry, along with the 93rd Burma Regiment and the 1st/1st Gorkhas, attacked Turkish positions at Abul Hasan Bend. The assault began on January 9 after a heavy bombardment. Despite poor visibility and heavy casualties, including Lieutenant Glyn who died, the troops succeeded in their objectives. Subedar Chimaji Garud and Naik Amir Khan were noted for their bravery. Colonel Chitty praised the Marathas for their courage and the battle resulted in huge losses: four British officers, three Indian officers, and 214 other ranks were killed or wounded.^[1][2][3]

In December 1916, during the first attack on Turkish positions to relieve Kut-al-Amara, the 9th Brigade, which included the 105th, stayed in reserve and didn't directly participate in the fighting. On December 17th, the Brigade marched to Sinnabtar and then moved into trenches about 1200 yards from the Tigris, east of Kut, to replace the Manchester Regiment of the 8th Brigade. The relief was carried out during the day. The trenches were incomplete, so the soldiers had to advance in open terrain, which exposed them to Turkish gunfire. Despite this, they moved with impressive discipline. Thirteen men were wounded, and those who could still fight used their bayonets and rifles to mark their positions. Stretcher bearers risked their lives to help the wounded.^[1][2]

For the next few days, the men worked non-stop, digging and extending the trenches. On December 30th, they were ordered to build a new trench line with a 'T' shape, 300 yards closer to the Turkish trenches. The 105th was responsible for guarding the site at night and digging from 6 PM to 10 PM, while another unit took over from 10 PM to 2 AM. The working parties were not noticed until 1:50 AM, when the Turks began heavy fire. The parties were initially disorganized but quickly regrouped under Captain Benton, and the work continued. At that moment, 70 to 80 Turkish soldiers attempted to rush the new trench position. Despite being nearly surrounded, the soldiers held their ground, and a counter-attack led by Captain Wilson of the 103rd and Lieutenant Huss of the 105th pushed the Turks back into their trenches.^[1][2]

The Battle of the Abul Hasan Bend is remembered as a classic example of Maratha bravery and determination. On January 8, 1917, orders came to attack the Turkish positions at Abul Hasan Bend, a bend in the Tigris River between Ctesiphon and Diala. The 9th Brigade of the 3rd Division was assigned this task. The 105th Maratha Light Infantry, the 93rd Burma Regiment, and the 1st/1st Gorkhas were chosen for the assault. The Burmese were on the right, the Marathas in the center, and the Gorkhas on the left.^[1][3]

The attack began on January 9 with a heavy bombardment, and the troops advanced at 8:45 AM. The 105th Maratha Light Infantry was arranged in eight lines of platoons, each 50 yards apart. B Company, led by Lieutenant C.R. Glyn, was on the right, while C Company, led by Captain H.R. Wilson, was on the left. A Company, under Captain W.B. Benton, and D Company, led by Major Greenstreet, provided support in the rear.^[1][3]

The morning was misty, making visibility difficult. The first Turkish trench was directly ahead, followed by open ground with four nullahs (small streams) and then the second line of Turkish defenses, before reaching the riverbank. B Company was to advance through the nullahs, while C Company was to halt at the second line of trenches to let the rear companies pass through.^[1][3]

The attack was successful, with many Turkish prisoners captured early on. Unfortunately, both Lieutenant Huss and Lieutenant Glyn were wounded. Glyn was severely injured and later died, which was a great loss to the troops.^[1][3]

Despite the confusion caused by the mist, the companies reached their objectives. Captain Wilson was wounded and command of C Company passed to Subedar Chimaji Garud. Facing a Turkish machine-gun, Garud, with two sepoys, charged and eliminated the gun crew. The gun was captured and brought in by Lance Naiks Sawlaram Barhate and Kondiba Wagh. Subedar Garud was awarded the Indian Order of Merit for his bravery. Lieutenant Mumford, who led the bombers, was killed, but his team continued to fight fiercely until help arrived.^[1][3]

Subedar Bala Bhor and Jemadar Balkrishna Kanse, due to the mist, ended up behind another regiment's bombers but managed to repel Turkish counter-attacks and hold a crucial position. They were later praised for their courage.^[1][3]

D Company, led by Major Greenstreet, faced little resistance until reaching the second Turkish line, where Greenstreet and many of his men were hit. Subedar Sayed Sulaiman took over, continued the advance, and Naik Amir Khan threw bombs on the Turkish lines despite being under fire. Captain I.C. De IMS worked tirelessly to tend to the wounded.^[1]

The battle brought great honor to the Marathas. Colonel Chitty praised their bravery, noting that their actions earned them respect from all parts of the Mesopotamia theatre. He acknowledged the unrecorded acts of heroism and the sacrifices made by many. Four British officers, three Indian officers, and a total of 214 other ranks were either killed or wounded in the battle.^[1][3]

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13} Valour Enshrined. 1960. pp. 155–158.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Wyrall, Everard (1926). The Die-hards in the Great War: 1916-1919. Harrison. pp. 339–340.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7} MacMunn, Sir George Fletcher (1930). Behind the Scenes in Many Wars: Being the Military Reminiscences of Lieut.-General Sir George MacMunn. J. Murray. pp. 254–256.