The loss of a great hero

As Townshend was unable to defeat the Turks earlier, he was forced to draw back to the British taken city of Kut-Al-Amara. Knowing he could run no where else, Townshend mad eready to defedn the town. The Turks, aided by the new arrival of Baron Von der Goltz and his German unit, the Turks pushed towards the city. They launched sevral attacks (December 7, 1915) against the city, all however failed. Seeing no use in wasting forces, the Turks simply surronded the city, and waited out Townshend and his forces. While trapped, Nixion attempted several releif efforts, which all failed miserably. In result, Townshend was forced to surrender on April 16, 1916. This battle has been proclaimed the single most "embarissing moment" during Britain's in WWI.

Sir Fredrick Maude, and the Russians

Having been formerly disgraced, both Britain and India made radical changes to the commanding force in Mesopotamia. Sir Fredrick Maude was appointed commander, and Britain would never regret that move. However, before Maude came to power, there was an odd event that occurred. A Russian unit, under the command of General Baratov, found their way onto the Mesopotamian front. Surprised but relived, the still in command Nixion asked for aid in helping out Townshend. The Russians agreed, and attempted to help Townshend with the battle of Khanagin in June of 1916. However, they proved just as useless as the other attempts, and were ultimately crushed. They quickly pulled out, and no more Russians would interfere in the Mesopotamian Front.

A Fresh Start

With the humiliating defeat at Kut-Al-Amara, the British were more then ready to make some changes. Enter scene, commander Maude. With the failure of Nixion, Maude had some serious catching up to do. He didn't have the tactical genius of Barrett to back him up, or the stunning movements of Townshend to help, but he did have the support of his military, and smarts to go with ambition. To make his name known, Maude decided to make an example out of Kut-Al-Amara. On December 13, 1916, Maude ordered the advance of over 5,000 troops to march on the river and the city. Quickly taking the river, the company then proceed to split, and attack the city on both sides. The Turks were quickly taken over, and forced to retreat. This would mark the real "end" of the war, as Maude would effectively take Baghdad, Jebel Hamlin, all the way up to the Turks final stand at Sharqat on October 29, 1918.

The End (Mostly)

The Mesopotamian Front was one that wont soon be forgotten. It was filled with heroic efforts, tremendous downfalls, and uprising victories. With the help of people like Sir Arthur Barrett and Sir Fredrick Maude, the British and Indian forces were able to destroy the old Ottoman empire, and ultimently free its nations. Without this victory, there's no telling what the final outcome of the war might have been.
If anything in this blog was unclear, please feel free to visit these sites that were great help to me.
http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/mf.htm

Bibliography

"The Mesopotmaina Front." First World War. Com. 02 Apr. 06. 21 Feb. 2007 http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/mf.htm.