With a Highland Regiment in Mesopotamia | Page 9

it is proved that the bayonet is
the weapon that wins the trench, the rifle the defensive weapon that
holds it. Yet though no pause had been made our losses in that charge
were severe. Major Hamilton Johnston was struck first by bullet and
then, almost at once, killed by shell; only four officers reached the
objective and of these three were wounded. The Turks fought
desperately and it was only after a severe struggle that we captured
some 300 yards of the first line trench. The Jats had suffered fully as
severely as ourselves, but a certain number joined up with our men and
fought right well, but no further assistance was forthcoming. The
Colonel was once asked by the Higher Command if such and such a
trench could be captured. "My Regiment," he replies, "will capture any
trench, but it is a different matter whether it is possible to hold it." Then
for one and a quarter hours, the length of time which the trench was

held, the Regiment added a very glorious page to its history. Great
gallantry was displayed and Lieut. M. M. Thorburn who was severely
wounded by a bayonet thrust received the Military Cross as an
immediate award. The enemy counter-attacked from two sides and our
few bombs, though replenished from some captured from the enemy,
were soon expended; but many charges up the trenches were made to
bomb them out, two machine guns were captured and put out of action.
Slowly however the Turks drove the remnants of our platoons towards
the river and the killed and wounded greatly outnumbered the survivors,
2nd Lieutenant Souther was wounded but refused to retire, and every
moment the situation was getting more desperate. 2nd Lieutenant
Henderson assumed command and was gallantly supported by C.S.M.
Proudfoot and Sergeant McDonald. Seeing that the position was
untenable, C.S.M. Proudfoot asked 2nd Lieutenant Henderson if he did
not think it would be wise to fall back as no assistance was being sent,
and men were being uselessly sacrificed. "How can I order the
Regiment to retire?" he replied. C.S.M. Proudfoot and Sergt.
MacDonald were both killed. Two of the finest men in the regiment
they were, and both had been recommended for commissions.
Proudfoot would have made a splendid officer; he had perhaps the
finest physique of any man in the Battalion and for long had been the
best reel dancer. No one who ever knew Sergt. MacDonald will forget
him. His soft voice and gentle manner, his readiness to help whoever
had need endeared him to all, and many a brave deed had he done as
scout leader of the Battalion both in France and Mesopotamia. It now
became impossible to remain unsupported in the enemy's position.
Slowly and in good order some eighty men, one quarter of those who
had started the attack two hours before, retired across No Man's Land
and regained our trenches.
[Illustration: Captured Turkish Officers.]
[Illustration: Turkish Prisoners Arrive At Basrah.]
When muster roll was called ninety-nine men remained of this gallant
Regiment, out of the nine hundred and fifty who had landed in
Mesopotamia less than three weeks before. As many wounded as

possible were brought in. The Padre, Major the Revd. Macfarlane did
splendid service. Darkness was closing in as the Regiment fell back on
to the second line, and the very skies wept at the tragedy being enacted
below them. No tents, no warmth, all soaked to the skin, intense cold,
and defeated. It is possible to be happy even if wet, cold and hungry if
you are victorious, but to be wet, cold and defeated, and yet undaunted
is worthy of the highest traditions of heroes.
The following day what remained of the Battalion was moved across
the river, and 2nd Lieutenant Stewart Smith assumed command, to be
followed shortly by Captain Crake.
The stay on the right bank of the river was short, and the remnants of
the Battalion were again soon on the left bank, but the losses of the
Highland units engaged had been so heavy that it was decided to form
one Battalion of what remained, under Colonel Thompson. This
brilliant officer was shortly afterwards given a Brigade, and during the
Campaign of the winter 1916-17 did such excellent work that he was
rewarded with the command of a Division again proving that age
should not be regarded as a deterrent for promotion if ability is
conspicuous. He was only forty when commanding a Brigade. During
February and March the Battalion suffered great discomfort, not to
speak of hardships. The rainfall was unusually heavy and the country
all mud. Difficulty was experienced in getting up supplies. And every
day and every hour the Turks were tightening their hold on Kut, so
gallantly defended by General Townshend and his