Battle of Ctesiphon
Ctesiphon, on the Tigris River about 26 km south-east of Baghdad, Iraq
What happened
A British and Indian army under Major General Charles Townshend fought an Ottoman army under Nur-ud Din Pasha. In the First World War, a British and Indian force advanced up the Tigris toward Baghdad. Near the ruins of the ancient city of Ctesiphon, it attacked the Ottoman trenches at dawn on 22 November 1915. The Ottomans brought up reserves and counter-attacked, and after days of fighting both exhausted armies began to withdraw.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the British advance on Baghdad and showed weaknesses in British supplies and medical care. It also showed that the Ottoman army could fight well on its own, without German advisers.
What came next
Townshend retreated to Kut al-Amara, where his army was besieged.
Did you know?
Ctesiphon was a royal capital of Iranian empires for over 800 years, and its great arch, the Taq Kasra, still stands.
Timeline
- 22 November 1915The British attack at Ctesiphon.
- 24 November 1915Both commanders order a withdrawal.
- 1915-1916Townshend's army is besieged at Kut.
- 1917British forces capture Baghdad.