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