Draft:Siege of Samawa

Siege of Samawa
Part of the Mesopotamian Campaign of World War I
Date August 1918-1920 Location Samawa, southern Iraq Result British India victory
Belligerents
British India	Ottoman Empire Emirate of Jabal Shammar
Commanders and leaders
Major As Hay ES Storey Copper JJ Nealy Subhedar Dadu Ingale Sarjerao Supekar Shivamrao Gujar Harbarao Bhonsle Rama Kadam Mukund Taode Yashwant Moré Abu Kadam Raghunathrao Moré	Unknown
Units involved
Maratha Light Infantry	Arabs
Casualties and losses
Low	3000 killed and 1000 wounded

Background

The orders were alarming, yet no dissent was voiced. Supplies were hastily gathered, and within twenty-four hours, the Regiment was en route to Samawa. Together with another battalion already stationed there, the 114th formed the Samawa garrison under Lieutenant Colonel Wintle's command.

One company of the Marathas, led by Major HNK Bremner, was sent to Rumaitha, 20 miles up the Euphrates. From May to December 1919, the Marathas conducted standard garrison duties and training in Samawa. In November, the Rumaitha company rejoined the Regiment after completing work on the Basra-Baghdad railway. By February 1920, D Company was dispatched to Diwaniye to guard a Turkish Labour Corps, with A Company reinforcing them on March 18. By the end of June, A and D Companies returned to Samawa, while C Company headed to Diwaniye.

On July 1, 1918, a minor incident on the Lower Euphrates ignited a significant Arab Revolt, affecting the entire Euphrates Front. The 114th Marathas, stationed in Samawa, faced the brunt of the Arab uprising. Reports indicated that hostile Arabs were destroying the railway near Rumaitha, prompting D Company, led by Lieutenant Nealey, to respond. On the night of July 1-2, Arabs attacked a D Company post on the Barbook Bridge, overwhelming it. In response, B Company was sent to reinforce them. On July 3, a company from the 2/125th Napiers Rifles arrived from Basra to bolster the garrison. Meanwhile, C Company, marching from Diwaniye to assist, encountered fierce Arab resistance and had to turn back.

On July 5, the situation at Rumaitha became dire as Arab forces launched repeated assaults on the small garrison. With limited rations and 200 non-combatants to support, Major Hay, commanding the 114th, resolved to attempt a relief operation. On July 12, two defense vessels, the 'Greenfly' and F 10, manned by 50 troops from the 114th under Major Hay and Captain Storey-Cooper—who had managed to escape and disguise himself as an Arab—sailed up the Euphrates toward Rumaitha. The vessels came under heavy fire about ten miles north of Samawa, wounding the captain of the 'Greenfly' and severing its control wires. The vessel lost control, ran aground, and was towed back by F 10, which also destroyed the village of Warr on their retreat. Despite heavy casualties among the hostiles, the Regiment suffered one British officer and four soldiers wounded.

On July 20, the Rumaitha Garrison was finally relieved by a composite force from Diwaniye. In true Regimental tradition, the small garrison had held out for twenty days against relentless attacks with only two days' worth of rations, earning them lasting admiration across the Euphrates Front.

Siege

The siege of Samawa exemplifies Maratha resilience and determination against overwhelming odds, standing as a significant episode next to the battle of Kut-al-Amara.

Following the relief of Rumaitha, Arab forces targeted the isolated garrison at Samawa, comprised of A, B, and D Companies of the 114th, a company from the 2/125th Napiers Rifles, and a detachment of the 10th Lancers manning an armored train. On August 15, the post at Kidr was evacuated, further isolating the garrison. The Station Camp, held by the armored train and Napiers Rifles, became the focus of enemy attacks, culminating in a  assault on August 28. Though the attack was repelled, the garrison suffered heavy casualties.

On September 3, a decision was made to withdraw from the Station Camp to the main defended sector. A and B Companies of the Marathas covered this withdrawal. As the troops moved, the armored train broke down, leaving them vulnerable. Despite the odds, Jemadar Sarjerao Supekar led a counterattack on the right flank, allowing the withdrawal to continue while inflicting heavy losses on the enemy—300 killed and around 1,000 wounded.

The garrison soon found itself completely surrounded, with the enemy occupying all commanding positions. Rations were reduced, and strict discipline was enforced regarding ammunition usage. Continuous enemy pressure through attacks, sniping, and artillery fire led to increasing hardships. The hostiles attempted to negotiate surrender but were met with defiance from the Marathas, who responded with gunfire.

By October 13, the besieged defenders were in critical condition due to dwindling supplies and rising casualties. The following day, as the relief column approached, the enemy began to retreat. The garrison’s defenses were opened, and on October 14, the relief column entered Samawa, with 'C' Company and platoons from D Company of the 114th being the first to arrive.

The siege concluded, marking another heroic chapter in the regiment's history. In recognition of their valor, several soldiers received distinguished honors, including:

Distinguished Service Order: Major A.S. Hay

Military Cross: Captain E.S. Storey Cooper, Lieutenant J.J. Nealey

Indian Order of Merit: Subedar Dadu Ingle

Indian Distinguished Service Medal: Subedar Sarjerao Supekar, Havildar-Major Shivramrao Gujar, Naik Harbarao Bhosle, Naik Rama Kadam, Lance Naik Mukund Taode, Lance Naik Yeshwant More, Lance Naik Aba Kadam, Havildar Raghunathrao More

The IOM was notably mentioned in dispatches four times.