Battle of Dujaila
Dujaila, east of Kut, Iraq
What happened
A British-Indian relief force under Lieutenant-General Fenton Aylmer fought Ottoman forces besieging Kut, under Colmar von der Goltz. A British-Indian army under Charles Townshend was besieged in the town of Kut on the Tigris. Aylmer's relief force marched at night to attack the Ottoman position at Dujaila, but columns lost contact and the attack started hours late. The Ottomans brought in reinforcements, and the British attacks failed.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was one of several failed attempts to relieve Kut. Aylmer was removed from command four days later.
What came next
No relief force got through, and the Kut garrison surrendered on 29 April 1916. About 13,000 Allied soldiers became prisoners.
Did you know?
During the siege, British planes dropped food to Kut, which is described as the first air supply operation in history.
Timeline
- 7 December 1915The siege of Kut begins.
- 8 March 1916The Ottomans win at Dujaila.
- 12 March 1916Aylmer is replaced.
- 29 April 1916The Kut garrison surrenders.