WWI: Form Start to Finish

WWI was one of the bloodiest, and most wide fought wars, ever seen to man. It took place in almost every country in the world, and it was definelty felt everywhere. It killed thousands, rapidly increased weapon out put and advancment, and tore apart the world we once knew. It was a war that will not soon be forgoten.
Although every front and battlefeild of this war was as vitally important as the next, on front stands out on its own. It was a front that had over 20 different battles and campaigns, and crumbled a once great empire to the ground. Yes, the Mesopotamian front was one of the bloodiest fronts of them all, and it was fought where US troops are staioned today; in the Iraq/ Iran area. It was fought between the British army, and the Turkish empire. It lasted untill 1918, when the war wa sdeclared over. It was a classic stuggle of tu-of-war, as the British became unstopable, the Turks counter-strike, and the eventual tacical victories of the British. It is the untold tale, of many heros.

The Mesopotamian Front: An Overview

The Mesopotamian Front was a historic battle ground that still is a proud part of history; but where is this front? The Mesopotamian Front (as metnioned before) was fought in modern day Iraq and Iran. In 1914, this area was controlled by The Ottoman Empire (aka. The Turks), and was extremly valuble, due to its vast amount of oil. The British government decided to protect the little British owned land in the area by sending a full batallion of troops, as it was very likely that Turkey would become part of this ever growing conflict.
Along with the British bataliion, a large number of Indian forces where added to the show, and all "allied" forces were under the command of Sir Arthur Barnett. However, Barnett was reciving two sets of instructions. One was coming from London, who were saying to play defnse, and hold poistion. The other was coming from the Indian government, who were saying to pre-pare an offensive; just to be safe. It wasn't long before Turkey entered the war, and Barnett was ready to strike. The first fighting broke out on November 5, 1914.

The Battles

The Mesopotamian Front saw some fierce fighting, and more then its fair share of death. The Ottoman Empire would not be easily toppled, and they fought tooth and nail for their land. Both sides (British and Turkish) had their equal shares of offense and defensive movements. The following posts outline the timeline of the war, weapons, its battles, and its commanders, (who often switch, so pay attention).

(The Mesopotamian Front as of 1914.)

The First Fights

The first fighting occurred on November 5, 1914. The Capture of Basra was the first battle of the Mesopotamian Front, and it showed that the British were ready to go. When Turkey finally did enter the war, they threw their power to the German side, officially making them "the enemy". Sir Arthur Barrett (British Chief-and -Commander) saw his chance and took it at once. Leaving the Turks no time to act, Barrett quickly moved his forces up the coastline, capturing several little outposts along the way. He effectively pushed the Turks into the nearby city of Basra. The Turkish Commander (Sunhi Bey) attempted to gather nearby forces, but was unable to do so quickly. On November 19, after making a steady advance up the coast, the full force of the British was unleashed. Faced with bad weather conditions, and extreme heat, the British continued their barrage of Basra until November 21, when the remaining Turkish forces fled the city. This battle was not one between man and man, but rather a show of the British power. The artillery strikes on the city lasted only a few days, and the Mesopotamian Front was officially a battle ground.

The Fighting Continues

After the fantastic victory over Basra, the British were convinced that they would be unstopable. On December 3, 1914, the British launched their next operation, an attack on the city of Qurna. However, the Turks held a river called the Tigris, which ws a border to the city. The British attempted several times to cross the river, but failed each time. They were forced to wiat until re0enforcments came, and they were able to flank the enemy. After that, the city surrendered imdeiatley, without a fight, and over 1000 prisoners were taken. Sir Arthur Barrnett was not done yet though. Seeing the power and potentila he had before him, Barrnett attempted a strike futher upland. However, he was forced to draw back slightly as Subhi Bey and his Turkish force attempted to re-take Basra. Barrett once again showed off his tacticale sunning by holding them a bay while his calvary circled around to crush his enemy. After a sound victory, Barrett increased his battle record by bomb-barding the city of Shabia. The Turks were forced to pull out, and the British continued their march, with little casulities. It seemed that they would be unstopable, that was untill Barrett as replaced by a man named Sir John Nixion.

A change in the winds

Though the British had been extremely successful this far, it had been in large thanks to their leader and tactical genius, Sir Arthur Barrett. Sadly however, Barrett was replaced by Sir John Nixon. Nixon was an incompetent man, who foolishly allowed the Turkish army to advance into British land, while his "offense" failed miserably. However, Nixon's only saving grace was his right hand man, Sir Charles Townshend. Townshed was a fresh general, who was ready to fight, and ready to move. He was put to work immediately when Nixon ordered the city of Amara to be taken. Having what seemed to be an endless amount of ships at his command, Townshend quickly moved up the coast, reducing the resistance to rubble. He found his way to Amara on April 11, 1915. Realizing that the city was heavily fortified, Townshend only then realized that the ground forces he had so foolishly left behind were his only hope. In an amazing military act, Townshend bluffed his way to a formal surrender by the troops in the city. This act not only gave Britain an huge moral boost, but gave Nixon the courage he needed to form his new plan.

The Beganing of the End

After his victory in Amara, Nixion decided to push foward, sending his troops futher into the Ottoman Empire. He quickly cleaned up with victories in Nasiriyeh (June 27, 1915), and Kut-Al-Amara (September 18, 1915); but the British luck stroke finally ran dry on the battle of Ctesiphon (November 2, 1915). With great pride in his work, Nixion ordered the attack upon the Turkish outpost in the ruins of Ctesiphon. Townshend, who was appointed leader, asked to wait for re-enforcments, but Nixion was to blind with pride to wait. His pride would soon lead to a devestating defeat. Upon approaching Ctesiphon, Townshend met heavy resistance as the new Turkish leader (Nur-Un-Din) and his forces created a trench defense outside of Baghdad. Unable to call for re-enfocments, and with the immense amount of Turks near the area, Townshend was forced to fight incredible odds. With no extra troops, Townshend was forced to play defense, as he was forced back to the captured city of Kut. With this outstanding victory, the Turkish troops where ready to push foward, and re-take their land.