The British invasion of Mesopotamia was initially successful in securing the oil fields around Basra by November 1914.
Despite evidence of stiffening Turkish resistance and inadequate supply lines which relied solely on the River Tigris, the Expeditionary Force was disastrously ordered to advance on Baghdad under the command of the ambitious, capable but flawed Major General Charles Townshend. After a pyrrhic victory at Ctesiphon in November 1915 the British were forced to withdraw to Kut. After a five month siege Townshend had little option but to surrender due to heavy losses and...
The British invasion of Mesopotamia was initially successful in securing the oil fields around Basra by November 1914.