The Secrets of a Kuttite

No pause, no rest! Forward the column pushes Across the stern and unproductive plain-- And Thirst, Satan's archfiend, darts at the brain And the weight of the great heat their spirit crushes To deeper silence and the tired feet bleed-- While the ruthless Turk with yells and sometimes blows Urges them on beside his impatient steed To a Future where and how no soldier knows Beyond the dust-cloud on the horizon's rim, Beyond the range of Hope--to memories grim. But neither desert thirst nor fiercest sun Nor dust-storms, nor the unknown miles ahead Can touch their heart or clog its valves with dread-- These English lads that fought at Ctesiphon.

"SPARKLING MOSELLE." From Smoke, the Kastamuni Punch.

TO MY MOTHER

PREFACE

The following pages were actually written during the siege of Kut or during captivity. The original manuscript was concealed in Turkey and recovered months after the Armistice. I have been persuaded by my friends that to recast or add to the story would detract from whatever appeal it may have as a human document. As such, with all its limitations, it is offered to the public.

The exigencies of a captivity such as mine, even more than in the field, determine from moment to moment one's focus and perspective, and what to-day presents itself for record is to-morrow ignored or forgotten by concentration on the few things and the few moments that count. Added to this there is for the prisoner the pressure of existence when, so far from being allowed a pencil, he is considerably occupied with selling his last fork.

One moves on from minute to minute between walls that recede or converge, and one's experience, therefore, is a series of incidents often unfinished. A diary must reflect one's experience.

The secrets of every Kuttite would "make many books" as large as this. And from an experience more varied than fell to the lot of many prisoners the author hopes that the following extract, a simple story of incident, adventure and intrigue, may interest the British reader.

EDWARD O. MOUSLEY.

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE CLUB, PALL MALL, March, 1921.

CONTENTS

PAGE PREFACE ix

PART I TO THE FALL OF KUT, APRIL 29TH, 1916

CHAPTER I En route from Hyderabad to Mesopotamia. Voyage up the Tigris 3

CHAPTER II With the Sixth Division after Ctesiphon. The retreat and action at Um-al-Tabul 10

CHAPTER III We reach Kut. Beginning of the siege. The Christmas assault 22

CHAPTER IV Relief delayed. Floods. Life during the siege 52

CHAPTER V General Aylmer's attempt. More floods. Pressure of the siege. Preparations for relief. Failure. Life in a siege mess 88

CHAPTER VI The last days of Kut. Sickness. Death. Surrender 120

PART II THE TREK. KASTAMUNI

CHAPTER VII The Third Captivity. Baghdad. The desert march of the sick column. We reach Ras-el-Ain 163

CHAPTER VIII By rail and trek over the Taurus to Angora. The last trek to Kastamuni 185

CHAPTER IX Life in Kastamuni. The first summer, 1916 208

CHAPTER X Winter. Our "self-made" orchestra 222

CHAPTER XI Extracts and Photos from Smoke, the Kastamuni Punch 232

CHAPTER XII Spring. Plots to escape. Betrayal. Escape of others. I am sent to Stamboul for hospital 267

PART III STAMBOUL AND BRUSA

CHAPTER XIII Psamatia (Stamboul). Starvation and neglect in hospital and garrison. Plots to escape by the Bosphorus. I organize escape from Psamatia through the heart of Stamboul. Storm and wreck on Sea of Marmara. Return 291