by Kevin Lynott » Tue May 11, 2010 1:48 pm
David
The 9th Bn were in the 39th Brig
By January 1917 British forces were entrenched opposite Turkish positions on the river Hai tantilisingly close to the besieged British troops in Kut. In order to facilitate the proposed new assault on the Hai positions British troops including the 9th Worcs were engaged in digging assembly trenches for the offensive between 15th and 21st January. It was a dangerous situation even though it was done at night, the troops were close to the Turks positions and were constantly fired on.
On the the 25th, 39th Brig were tasked with attacking the positions to the south of the besieged Kut on the west bank of the river Hai, 9th Worcs on the right against the river Tigris and 7th NStaffs on the left were the leading Bns for 39th Brig. At 9:30am the British artillery opened fire, at 9:40am 9th Worcs and 7th NStaffs advanced to within 50 yards of the Turkish front line which was being heavily shelled. The barrage lifted at 9:51am and the British troops stormed forward and took the front line. At midday the Turks attacked the 7th NStaffs left flank, under pressure the 7th NStaffs fell back taking B Coy of 9th Worcs with it. A Coy in the centre and D Coy on the right held firm. The 9th Worcs CO seeing the retirement moved forwarded and rallied the retiring men from B Coy whilst directing his reserve, C Coy forward. 9th RWarks were sent forward to support 9th Worcs by Brig HQs. At 3pm a second Turkish counter-attack fell on the 9th RWarks, shortly afterwards the Turks attacked the 9th Worcs near the river. At 3:15pm the 9th RWarks and 9th Worcs fell back to the British line which were shelled for an hour by the Turks. The 39th Brig were relieved that evening.
Hope this is of some use
Kevin