CHAPTER XVII
FRIENDS IN CAPTIVITY
This story would not be complete without recording the deaths of Captain R. J. Tipton, R.F.C., and Captain R. T. Sweet, D.S.O., 2/7th Ghurka Rifles.
Tipton, after very few days at home, reported again for duty and would not rest content until he had obtained leave to fly and fight over the German lines. For this purpose he had refused his majority. On March 9th he was severely wounded in a fight with a Hun whom he brought down. With great courage and skill he brought his own machine back and landed safely, but the injury he had received proved fatal and he died three days later.
Tipton thus went back to fight at the earliest possible moment, feeling it his duty to the other officers left behind in Turkey, who were bound to be suffering for our escape. Although the youngest of our party, he was our leader on the long journey to the coast; and to his unfailing good humour and tact we owed much more than we realized at the time. Although in pain for many days, he kept cheerfully on and would never give in.
Few men have been more beloved by all with whom they came in contact, and his gallant death has left a wide blank in the affections of all who had the privilege to know him.
Sweet, whose gallantry at Kut had earned him the D.S.O., was imprisoned at Angora, after being brought back from the coast, and exhibited to the other officers at Kastamuni for a few minutes on the way. He shouted to them to take a few days' provisions and try their luck, that it was quite easy to get away, and that he meant to start again the first chance he had. In reply they cheered him, much to the disgust of the Turks.
After two dreadful months in the civil prison at Angora, he was taken to the officers' camp at Yozgad, a place 4,000 feet above the sea amongst the hills, in the very centre of Asia Minor. Here he remained till a few weeks before the armistice with Turkey was announced, when he fell a victim to the influenza scourge and died of pneumonia.
In our escape Sweet was always the most indefatigable, and on many an occasion spurred us on when we three had no energy left. His knowledge of Turkish was invaluable and enabled us successfully to bluff our way along during the days when we were posing as Germans. It was only the merest accident that parted him from us when the akhardash arrived, and it is hard to feel that so small a thing should have ultimately resulted in the death of such a brave officer.
The first officers who died in Kastamuni were Lieutenants Reynolds, of the 103rd L.I., and Lock, of the I.A.R.O., attached 104th Rifles. Reynolds had been unwell during most of the journey up and, undoubtedly, had not got over the hardships of the siege; he succumbed within a few days of our arrival. Lock, who had been an indigo planter in Bihar, went down with peritonitis very shortly afterwards. Both officers had done well in Kut and were greatly liked by all who knew them. Their death in a strange country, after the worst of our troubles seemed to be over, was all the sadder to think of.
The third officer who died was Commander Crabtree, R.N.R., of the S.Y. _Zaida_, which struck a mine while patrolling the Adana coast. He, along with three other officers from the same ship, was sent on to Kastamuni. At Angora he was ill, but the Turks considered him fit enough to travel, and sent him on in a springless country cart over the 140 miles of rough road to Kastamuni. Riding in a cart over this road is bad enough for a fit man, but in his case it must have simply jolted him to death. At all events, he arrived dying, and never regained consciousness.
Another sad death occurred amongst the officers after they had been moved to Changri from Kastamuni. On Christmas Day, 1917, Major Corbett, 48th Pioneers, died suddenly from an aneurism of the heart after some strenuous tobogganing, which had been allowed as a special concession.
Major Corbett was one of those officers who assisted our party to escape and would himself have come with us had he considered there was any small chance of success. To the camp at Kastamuni he was invaluable as staff officer to the lower group of houses, always energetic and cheery and turning his hand to something. Carpentry formed his chief occupation when not playing games.
He was one of those men whom we felt we simply could not do without, and his loss may well be imagined in the camp at Changri, where conditions had been rough and painful in the extreme.
APPENDIX A
_GARRISON OF KUT_
HEADQUARTERS
MAJOR-GEN. C. V. TOWNSHEND, G.O.C.
{ 2nd Dorsets. 16th Infantry Brigade, { 66th Punjabis. MAJ.-GEN. DELAMAIN. { 104th Rifles. { 117th Mahrattas.
{ Oxford and Bucks L.I. 17th Infantry Brigade, { 22nd Punjabis. GEN. HOGHTON. { 103rd Infantry. { 119th Infantry.
{ 2nd Norfolks. 18th Infantry Brigade, { 120th Infantry. GEN. HAMILTON. { 110th Infantry. { 7th Rajputs.
{ 2 Coys. Royal West Kents. { 3 Coys. 4th Hants T.F. 30th Infantry Brigade, { 2/7th Ghurka Rifles. MAJ.-GEN. MELLIS. { 24th Punjabis. { 67th Punjabis. { 76th Punjabis.
DIVISIONAL TROOPS
17th Coy., S. & M. 34th (Poona) Signalling Co. Sirmoor Sappers (Imperial Service). 1 Squadron 7th Hariana Lancers. 48th Pioneers. 63rd, 76th, 82nd Batteries, R.F.A. 18 guns, 18 pdr. 104th Battery, R.G.A. 2 4" guns. 84th Battery, R.G.A. 4 5" guns. Volunteer Battery. 4 15 pdr. guns. "S" Battery, R.H.A., left behind 2 14 pdr. guns.
Naval Detachment. 4 4.7" pdr. guns.
H.M.S. _Samarra_: 2 3 pdr. guns; 1 13 pdr. gun. Machine Gun Battery (6 guns). Supply and Transport, including Jeypore Transport Train, Wireless, Royal Flying Corps, Depot and other details.
MEDICAL SERVICE
One British General Hospital. One Indian General Hospital. 3 Field Ambulances.
_Strength of garrison at_ _Strength on_ _beginning of siege._ _surrender._
British Officers 301 277 British Rank and File 2,851 2,592 Indian Officers 225 204 Indian Rank and File 8,230 6,988 Indian Followers 3,530 3,248 ------ ------ Total 15,137 13,309 ====== ======
Losses: Killed and died of wounds, 1,025. Died of disease, and missing, 803. Arab population of Kut (?) 3,700. Animals (horses and mules) before killing for food, 3,000.
APPENDIX B
Copy of translation of pamphlets thrown over from Turkish trenches towards our line during the earlier part of the siege and picked up between the two old lines when these had been evacuated on Jan. 21st.
OH DEAR INDIAN BRETHREN,
You understand the fact well that God has created this war for the sake of setting India free from the hands of the cruel English. That is the reason why all the Rajahs and Nawabs with the help of Brave Indian soldiers are at present creating disturbances in all parts of India and are forcing the English out of the country. Consequently not a single Englishman is to be seen in the N.W. Frontier of India districts of Saad, Chakdara, Mohmand and Kohat. Brave Indian soldiers have killed several of their officers at Singapore, Secunderabad and Meerut cantonments. Many of the Indian soldiers have on several occasions joined our allies the Turks, Germans, and Austrians of which you must have heard.
O heroes! our friends the Turks, Germans and Austrians are trying merely for the freedom of our country (India) from the English and you being Indians are fighting against them thus causing delay. On seeing your degraded position one feels severely ashamed (lit. 'blood in the eyes') that you have not got fed up of their disgraceful conduct and hatred towards you.
You should remember how cruelly were Maharajah Ranjit Singh of the Punjab and Sultan Tipu treated by the English govt., and now when our beloved country is being released from their cruel clutches you should not delay the freedom of your country and try to restore happiness to the souls of your forefathers as you come from the same heroic generation to which the brave soldiers of the Dardanelles and Egypt belong.
You must have heard about the recent fighting in the Dardanelles when Lord Hamilton was wounded and Lord Kitchener cowardly ran away at night taking with him only the British soldiers from the Dardanelles siege and leaving behind the Indian soldiers who on seeing this murdered all their officers and joined the Turks.
Nearly everywhere we find that our Indian soldiers are leaving the British. Is it not a pity that you still go on assisting them? Just consider that these and we have left our homes and country and are fighting only for rupees fifteen or twenty; a subaltern 20 or 25 years old is drawing a handsome amount as salary from Indian money while our old Risaldar and Subadar majors are paid nothing like him--and even a British soldier does not salute them. Is that all the respect and share of wealth for the sake of which we should let them enjoy our country?
For instance see how many of you Indian soldiers were killed and wounded during the battle of Ctesiphon and there is nobody to look after the families of your deceased and wounded brothers. Just compare the pay a British soldier draws with that which you get. Brethren hurry up, the British Kingdom is going to ruins now. Bulgaria gave them several defeats, Ireland and the Transvaal are out of their possessions of which perhaps you already know.
H.M. the Sultan's brave Turkish forces which were engaged at the Bulgar frontier before are now coming over this side in lacs for the purpose of setting India at liberty.
We were forced by the British to leave our beloved country for good and had to live in America, but on hearing the news of our country being freed from English hands we came here via Germany and found our Indian brethren fighting against H.M. Sultan.
Other nations are trying to restore us freedom from the British, but it appears we do not like to be freed from slavery, hence we are fighting against our friends the Turks.
Brethren, what is done, that is done, and now you should murder all your officers and come over to join H.M. Sultan's Army like our brave Indian soldiers did in Egypt and the Dardanelles. All the officers of this force and Arabs have received orders from the Sultan that any Indian soldier, irrespective of any caste, a Sikh, Rajput, Mahratta, Gurkha, Pathan, Shiah or Syed, who come to join the Turks should be granted a handsome pay and land for cultivation if they like to settle in the Sultan's territory. So you must not miss the chance of murdering your officers and joining the Turks, helping them to restore your freedom.
Dated _28th December, 1915_.
Printed and distributed by the Indian National Society.
Translated from originals in Urdu and Pushtu or Punjabi.
APPENDIX C
Comparison of rations issued in Kut at the middle of April, 1916, with full service rations.
BRITISH
_Normal Field Service._ _In Kut._
Bread, 1-1/4 lb. 4 oz. (from April 17th). Fresh meat, 1-1/4 lb. 1-1/4-1-1/2 lb. (horse and mule). Potatoes and vegetables, 1/2 lb. Nil. (except sag). Bacon, 3 oz. Nil. (or butter 1-1/2 oz. twice a week). Tea, 5/8 oz. Nil. Sugar, 3 oz. Nil. Salt, 1/2 oz. Nil. Jam, 4 oz. Nil. Cheese, 3 oz. Nil. Ginger, ---- 1/3 oz.
INDIAN
_Normal Field Service._ _In Kut._
Atta (wheat meal), 1-1/2 lb. 4 oz. (barley meal). Ghi, 2 oz. 1/2 oz. Dal, 4 oz. Nil. Meat, 4 oz. 9 oz. (horse). Gur, 1 oz. Nil. Potatoes, 2 oz. Nil. Tea, 1/3 oz. Nil. Ginger, 1/3 oz. } Chillies, 1/6 oz. } Turmeric, 1/6 oz. } 1/8 oz. Garlic, 1/6 oz. } Salt, 1/2 oz. }
APPENDIX D
RATIONS AT END OF SIEGE
All except meat and ginger dropped by aeroplane.
_British._ _Indian._
Bread, 3 oz. Indian atta, 3 oz. Sugar, 1 oz. Gur, 1/2 oz. Chocolate, 1/2 oz. Dal, 1 oz. Meat, 1-1/2 lb. (horse or mule). Salt, 1/8 oz. Ginger, 1/8 oz. Meat, 9 oz. (horse).
JOHN LANE'S "ON ACTIVE SERVICE" SERIES.
Now that the Great War is definitely over it is necessary to get it adequately chronicled. Of necessity we must have comprehensive surveys of the war, formal histories in many volumes; but the real history of the great conflict is to be found not so much in these, as in the vital pieces of descriptive literature which our fighting men have struck off, often while the drama was being enacted before their eyes. It is with the object of getting together a really vivid and actual record of the world conflict, which will be of service not only to ourselves, but to our children, that the "ON ACTIVE SERVICE" Series has been formed. It consists of a number of volumes, uniform in format and production, which have been selected as being representative of particular aspects or phases of the war, written by soldiers, sailors and others who have witnessed or actually participated in what they describe. Here, in these personal experiences of our men, is an enduring record of the last four or five years; a record which, more surely than any formal histories, will carry forward the memory of those tragic but glorious days.
_THE FOLLOWING VOLUMES HAVE ALREADY BEEN PUBLISHED_
DOVER DURING THE DARK DAYS. By a "Dug-out" (LT. COMM. STANLEY COXON, R.N.V.R. Author of "And That Reminds Me.") With contributions by other officers of the DOVER PATROL. Crown 8vo. 7/- net.
This book lifts the veil which was so closely drawn over the operations of the Navy during war-time. It gives accounts of many engagements and scraps with the enemy, written by actual participants, and forms a valuable contribution to the history of our navy during the most momentous years of its existence.
"_The real thing._"--_Daily Express._
"_Makes good reading._"--_Times._
"_Spirited and exciting._"--_Yorkshire Observer._
"_The book has many fine pages in it._"--_Evening News._
TEMPORARY CRUSADERS. By CECIL SUMMERS, author of "Temporary Heroes." Crown 8vo. 4/- net.
A further volume by the author of the very successful "Temporary Heroes," describing his experiences in France, Palestine, Egypt and Italy.
"_A cheery, chatty chronicle. The author has a keen eye for the humour of circumstance and a most beguiling way._"--_Morning Post._
"_Bright and exhilarating. It is sure to be read widely._"--_Scotsman._
"_Even more hearty and sincere than the successful 'Temporary Heroes.'_"--_Liverpool Courier._
THE BOY WITH THE GUNS. By the late LIEUT. G. W. TAYLOR. Edited by his sister MRS. ROGER COOKSON. With an introduction by SIR JAMES CRICHTON-BROWNE. With Illustrations and Maps. Crown 8vo. 5/- net.
This is a vividly realistic account of the work done and hardships endured by our Royal Field Artillery in the war, and of their "hair-breadth 'scapes in the imminent deadly breach" in France and Flanders, by one who went through them all and made the supreme sacrifice.
PUSHING WATER. By R.N.V. (LIEUT. ERIC DAWSON.) Crown 8vo. 4/- net.
"Pushing Water" reveals a phase of warfare of which the world knows little or nothing. It is the story of the "Movy" of submarine-hunting and mine sweeping in perilous seas, of duties faithfully accomplished, without expectation of fame or reward. As a sidelight on a branch of the Navy's activities it has a good deal of interest, but the book would recommend itself on the score of its quiet humour and abundant anecdote alone.
"_This entertaining book ... a vivid picture of existence on a 'Movy.'_"--_Sunday Times._
"_An animated narrative._"--_Scotsman._
"_Described with real humour ... decidedly interesting._"--_Birmingham Post._
A HANDFUL OF AUSSEYS. By C. HAMPTON THORP, A.I.F., with a foreword by General Sir William Birdwood, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., K.C.M.G., etc., and an Introductory Poem by Robert Bridges, Poet Laureate. With Illustrations by James F. Scott. Crown 8vo. 7/- net.
"A Handful of Ausseys" is the only book from the pen of an Australian soldier which deals intimately with the troopship voyage between the Commonwealth and England, and the more detailed side of the Soldier's life in England before he goes across the Channel.
"_Well justifies its place among war books, for it is well written, graphic and amusing, and full of facts and anecdotes.... The illustrations are rather telling and rather original._"--_Times._
"_Among the good war pictures of the present war, the description of this draft's moving up to the firing line deserves to find a pleasant place._"--_Bookman._
"_Racily describes with much good humour and amusing anecdote the daily experiences of an Australian reinforcement ... these bright and spirited pages._"--_Scotsman._
THREE CHEVRONS. By "OREX" (MAJOR H. F. BIDDER, D.S.O.) Crown 8vo. 5/- net.
An absolutely authentic, cool record of what the author saw on the Flanders front from Christmas, 1914, to June, 1917. It contains the experiences of a clear-sighted conscientious officer who keeps as close as possible to fact and maintains his detached judicial point of view. A book which both the military man and public generally will appreciate for its freshness and candour.
"_'Orex' has made a singularly successful contribution to war literature by the direct method of honesty, modesty and simplicity. His book is a pleasant surprise.... He expresses it all in an individuality of great charm, the charm of literary unconsciousness and quiet restraint.... In every respect a good book._"--_Daily News._
"_Simply and attractively written, and quite worth its place in the ON ACTIVE SERVICE Series._"--_Times._
SOME SOLDIERS AND LITTLE MAMMA. By HELEN BOULNOIS. Crown 8vo. 5/- net.
"_A book of singular interest.... Remarkable for its sidelights, on what may be called the domestic phases of the war._"--_Daily Graphic._
THE SILENCE OF COLONEL BRAMBLE. By ANDRE MAUROIS. Translated from the French. Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 5/- net.
This remarkably amusing account of an English regimental mess by a French officer who was attached as an interpreter, has had an immense vogue in France, and its appeal to English readers will without doubt be equally wide.
"_Those who do not already know the book in French, will lose nothing of its charm in English form.... The humours of the mess room are inimitable.... The whole thing is real, alive, sympathetic. There is not a false touch in all its delicate glancing wit._"--_Daily Telegraph._
"_An excellent translation.... A gay and daring translation.... I laughed over its audacious humour._"--_JAMES DOUGLAS in The Star._
FIELD AMBULANCE SKETCHES. By a Corporal. Crown 8vo. 4/- net.
These sketches by a stretcher-bearer are extraordinarily clear and actual. "Behind a Raid" is a wonderfully vivid piece of work; the reader lives every second of these thrilling hours, and the whole scene is touched in masterly style. The other pages are equally fine. To the civilian they bring home the actualities of War; while soldiers of every class will enjoy them in their fine truthfulness.
SAPPER DOROTHY LAWRENCE: The only English Woman Soldier. Late Royal Engineers, 51st Division, 179th Tunnelling Company, B.E.F. With Portraits. Crown 8vo. 5/- net.
Miss Dorothy Lawrence enjoys the distinction of having been the only British woman soldier, and in this book she sets out her varied experiences, first in Paris, where she did the necessary drills, and finally "up the line."
A KUT PRISONER. By H. C. W. BISHOP. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. 6/- net.
More exciting than any fictitious story of adventure the main part of this book is occupied by the story of the author's escape, in company with three other British officers, from Kastamuni in Asia Minor. MR. BISHOP was captured at the fall of Kut, and his narrative includes a description of the appalling long march from Kut to Kastamuni, during which such a large proportion of our men succumbed to their sufferings which were wilfully aggravated by their captors.
WITH THE CHINKS. By Lieut. DARYL KLEIN. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 6/6 net.
The author of "With the Chinks" was a civilian in China who volunteered as an officer for the training of Chinese coolies who were brought to France to form Labour Brigades to work behind the lines. The characters of his charges are sketched with considerable skill, and the voyage via Canada and the Panama Canal to France is picturesquely described. The book forms a unique and interesting page in the voluminous History of the War.
_THE FOLLOWING ARE IN IMMEDIATE PREPARATION:_
TALES OF A TROOPER. By A. CLUTHA MACKENZIE. Crown 8vo.
These tales convey in the most living manner the experiences and sensations of a typical Anzac en route to the war, then landed at Gallipoli, and finally "knocked out" in the terrible battle for the ridge.
A PRISONER IN TURKEY. By JOHN STILL, author of "Poems in Captivity," etc. Crown 8vo.
The author of this remarkable book was largely instrumental in conveying to the British Government, by messages, in an ingenious code of his own invention, sent at considerable personal risk, very valuable information regarding the treatment of British Prisoners in Turkey. In this book, which is an account of over three years' imprisonment in Turkish hands, at Constantinople and at Afion Kara Hissar, Mr. STILL gives a very forceful and vivid, but restrained account of the trials, sufferings and dangers through which he and his fellow prisoners passed during their long captivity.
WARD TALES. By E. CHIVERS DAVIES. Crown 8vo.
In this capital little record of V.A.D. work in a hospital Miss Davies combines very cleverly two points of view--the Nurses' and Hospital Staff's, and the Tommies'. The author has humour, insight, sympathy, and a very quick eye for a situation, and in the course of her sketches she synthesizes the atmosphere and outlook of a big Military Hospital, especially as it appears to a V.A.D. Soldiers, and others, will delight in the truthful and entertaining pictures of this admirable little book, as will all who have served, and are serving, in hospital.
BEHIND BOSCHE BARS. By E. WARBURTON. Crown 8vo.
A cleverly written description of a young English officer's internment as a prisoner of war in Germany. As his experiences were thoroughly typical of the later treatment by the Germans of officer prisoners, his account forms a very valuable record of this aspect of the war. The writer gives the Germans credit for some kind acts, while laughing at them for their stiffness, pedantry and stupidity. He conveys a strongly actual picture of the whole body of prisoners in every camp--their ways of life, outlook, habits and feelings.
WITH THE SERBS IN MACEDONIA. By DOUGLAS WALSHE. Illustrated. Crown 8vo.
This is a very bright account of war experiences in Macedonia, by an A.S.C. officer, who has the gift of making his scenes _living_ scenes. Mr. WALSHE'S narrative is very human, and he gives us an excellent bird's eye view of the country, and the tangle of races inhabiting it.
FOUR MONTHS IN ITALY IN WAR-TIME. By BEATRICE THOMSON. Crown 8vo.
This book gives a remarkably clear idea of hospital life, and also of Italian character and ways. It is a fine record of service, and in its quiet restrained humanity it is a chronicle which deserves to be widely read. The author served for several months in a war hospital in France, and her sketches of her patients' characters and her record of their talk and behaviour give us the real Italy.
WITH THE CAVALRY IN THE WEST. By J. D. DELIUS. Illustrated. Crown 8vo.
While we have had many books describing the work of the Infantry and Artillery in the war, very little has been written about the part played by our Cavalrymen. The fact that their operations were restricted by the conditions of modern warfare does not, however, detract in the least from the interest of CAPTAIN DELIUS' book, for it is a book of happy anecdote and amusing description, rather than of the more repulsive side of war.
FROM THE SOMME TO THE RHINE. By MAJOR A. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT. Crown 8vo.
This is a valuable narrative of the last phase of the Great War. The author, who has the literary talent of his family has used his opportunities as an Intelligence Officer to great advantage, and his narrative is very clear, very picturesque and very human. He has seized the salient details of what he is describing, and his sincerity combined with his artistic gift, makes a moving, life-like picture.
JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD, VIGO STREET, LONDON, W.1.
* * * * * *
Transcriber's note:
Illustrations have been moved near the relevant section of the text.
Inconsistent hyphenation and use of separate words have been retained for:
down stream/downstream Eski Chehir/Eski-Chehir framework/frame-work goatskins/goat skins half way/half-way hillside/hill-side machine guns/machine-guns sheep tracks/sheep-tracks some one/someone tilework/tile-work trench digging/trench-digging up stream/up-stream up to date/up-to-date used up/used-up
Inconsistencies in italicization and capitalization have been retained.
The following minor typographical corrections were made:
Period added after "line" on Page 20 Space added before "the" on Page 54 "Poor" changed to "poor" on Page 131 Period removed after "Tip" on Page 185 "A pparently" changed to "Apparently" on Page 188 "pro cured" changed to "procured" on Page 195 "andfind" changed to "and find" on Page 196 "Bighar" changed to "Bihgar" on the illustration following Page 196 Period added after "Mellis" and "Maj.-Gen. Mellis." centered on Page 235 "in in" changed to "in" on Page 249 Period added after "Mackenzie" on Page 250