A Kut Prisoner Part 10

We were forced by the British to leave our beloved country for good and had to live in America, but on hearing the news of our country being freed from English hands we came here via Germany and found our Indian brethren fighting against H.M. Sultan.

Other nations are trying to restore us freedom from the British, but it appears we do not like to be freed from slavery, hence we are fighting against our friends the Turks.

Brethren, what is done, that is done, and now you should murder all your officers and come over to join H.M. Sultan's Army like our brave Indian soldiers did in Egypt and the Dardanelles. All the officers of this force and Arabs have received orders from the Sultan that any Indian soldier, irrespective of any caste, a Sikh, Rajput, Mahratta, Gurkha, Pathan, Shiah or Syed, who come to join the Turks should be granted a handsome pay and land for cultivation if they like to settle in the Sultan's territory. So you must not miss the chance of murdering your officers and joining the Turks, helping them to restore your freedom.

Dated 28th December, 1915.

Printed and distributed by the Indian National Society.

Translated from originals in Urdu and Pushtu or Punjabi.

APPENDIX C Comparison of rations issued in Kut at the middle of April, 1916, with full service rations.

British Normal Field Service.In Kut.

Bread, 1 lb.4 oz. (from April 17th).

Fresh meat, 1 lb.1-1 lb. (horse and mule).

Potatoes and vegetables, lb.Nil. (except sag).

Bacon, 3 oz.Nil.

(or b.u.t.ter 1 oz. twice a week).

Tea, 5/8 oz.Nil.

Sugar, 3 oz.Nil.

Salt, oz.Nil.

Jam, 4 oz.Nil.

Cheese, 3 oz.Nil.

Ginger, -1/3 oz.

Indian Normal Field Service.In Kut.

Atta (wheat meal), 1 lb.4 oz. (barley meal).

Ghi, 2 oz. oz.

Dal, 4 oz.Nil.

Meat, 4 oz.9 oz. (horse).

Gur, 1 oz.Nil.

Potatoes, 2 oz.Nil.

Tea, 1/3 oz.Nil.

Ginger, 1/3 oz.}1/8 oz.

Chillies, 1/6 oz.

Turmeric, 1/6 oz.

Garlic, 1/6 oz.

Salt, oz.

APPENDIX D Rations at end of Siege All except meat and ginger dropped by aeroplane.

British.Indian.

Bread, 3 oz.Indian atta, 3 oz.

Sugar, 1 oz.Gur, oz.

Chocolate, oz.Dal, 1 oz.

Meat, 1 lb. (horse or mule). Salt, 1/8 oz.

Ginger, 1/8 oz.

Meat, 9 oz. (horse).

JOHN LANE'S "ON ACTIVE SERVICE"

SERIES.

Now that the Great War is definitely over it is necessary to get it adequately chronicled. Of necessity we must have comprehensive surveys of the war, formal histories in many volumes; but the real history of the great conflict is to be found not so much in these, as in the vital pieces of descriptive literature which our fighting men have struck off, often while the drama was being enacted before their eyes. It is with the object of getting together a really vivid and actual record of the world conflict, which will be of service not only to ourselves, but to our children, that the "ON ACTIVE SERVICE" Series has been formed. It consists of a number of volumes, uniform in format and production, which have been selected as being representative of particular aspects or phases of the war, written by soldiers, sailors and others who have witnessed or actually partic.i.p.ated in what they describe. Here, in these personal experiences of our men, is an enduring record of the last four or five years; a record which, more surely than any formal histories, will carry forward the memory of those tragic but glorious days.

THE FOLLOWING VOLUMES HAVE ALREADY BEEN PUBLISHED DOVER DURING THE DARK DAYS. By a "Dug-out" (Lt. Comm. Stanley c.o.xon, R.N.V.R. Author of "And That Reminds Me.") With contributions by other officers of the DOVER PATROL. Crown 8vo. 7/- net.

This book lifts the veil which was so closely drawn over the operations of the Navy during war-time. It gives accounts of many engagements and sc.r.a.ps with the enemy, written by actual partic.i.p.ants, and forms a valuable contribution to the history of our navy during the most momentous years of its existence.

"The real thing."-Daily Express.

"Makes good reading."-Times.

"Spirited and exciting."-Yorkshire Observer.

"The book has many fine pages in it."-Evening News.

TEMPORARY CRUSADERS. By Cecil Summers, author of "Temporary Heroes." Crown 8vo. 4/- net.

A further volume by the author of the very successful "Temporary Heroes," describing his experiences in France, Palestine, Egypt and Italy.

"A cheery, chatty chronicle. The author has a keen eye for the humour of circ.u.mstance and a most beguiling way."-Morning Post.

Bright and exhilarating. It is sure to be read widely."-Scotsman.

""Even more hearty and sincere than the successful 'Temporary Heroes.'"-Liverpool Courier.

THE BOY WITH THE GUNS. By the late Lieut. G. W. Taylor. Edited by his sister Mrs. Roger Cookson. With an introduction by Sir James Crichton-Browne. With Ill.u.s.trations and Maps. Crown 8vo. 5/- net.

This is a vividly realistic account of the work done and hardships endured by our Royal Field Artillery in the war, and of their "hair-breadth 'scapes in the imminent deadly breach" in France and Flanders, by one who went through them all and made the supreme sacrifice.

PUSHING WATER. By R.N.V. (Lieut. Eric Dawson.) Crown 8vo. 4/- net.

"Pushing Water" reveals a phase of warfare of which the world knows little or nothing. It is the story of the "Movy" of submarine-hunting and mine sweeping in perilous seas, of duties faithfully accomplished, without expectation of fame or reward. As a sidelight on a branch of the Navy's activities it has a good deal of interest, but the book would recommend itself on the score of its quiet humour and abundant anecdote alone.

"This entertaining book ... a vivid picture of existence on a 'Movy.'"-Sunday Times.

"An animated narrative."-Scotsman.

"Described with real humour ... decidedly interesting."-Birmingham Post.

A HANDFUL OF AUSSEYS. By C. Hampton Thorp, A.I.F., with a foreword by General Sir William Birdwood, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., K.C.M.G., etc., and an Introductory Poem by Robert Bridges, Poet Laureate. With Ill.u.s.trations by James F. Scott. Crown 8vo. 7/- net.

"A Handful of Ausseys" is the only book from the pen of an Australian soldier which deals intimately with the troopship voyage between the Commonwealth and England, and the more detailed side of the Soldier's life in England before he goes across the Channel.

"Well justifies its place among war books, for it is well written, graphic and amusing, and full of facts and anecdotes.... The ill.u.s.trations are rather telling and rather original."-Times.

"Among the good war pictures of the present war, the description of this draft's moving up to the firing line deserves to find a pleasant place."-Bookman.

"Racily describes with much good humour and amusing anecdote the daily experiences of an Australian reinforcement ... these bright and spirited pages."-Scotsman.

THREE CHEVRONS. By "Orex" (Major H. F. Bidder, D.S.O.) Crown 8vo. 5/- net.

An absolutely authentic, cool record of what the author saw on the Flanders front from Christmas, 1914, to June, 1917. It contains the experiences of a clear-sighted conscientious officer who keeps as close as possible to fact and maintains his detached judicial point of view. A book which both the military man and public generally will appreciate for its freshness and candour.

"'Orex' has made a singularly successful contribution to war literature by the direct method of honesty, modesty and simplicity. His book is a pleasant surprise.... He expresses it all in an individuality of great charm, the charm of literary unconsciousness and quiet restraint.... In every respect a good book."-Daily News.

"Simply and attractively written, and quite worth its place in the ON ACTIVE SERVICE Series."-Times.

SOME SOLDIERS AND LITTLE MAMMA. By Helen Boulnois. Crown 8vo. 5/- net.

"A book of singular interest.... Remarkable for its sidelights, on what may be called the domestic phases of the war."-Daily Graphic.

THE SILENCE OF COLONEL BRAMBLE. By Andre Maurois. Translated from the French. Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 5/- net.

This remarkably amusing account of an English regimental mess by a French officer who was attached as an interpreter, has had an immense vogue in France, and its appeal to English readers will without doubt be equally wide.

"Those who do not already know the book in French, will lose nothing of its charm in English form.... The humours of the mess room are inimitable.... The whole thing is real, alive, sympathetic. There is not a false touch in all its delicate glancing wit."-Daily Telegraph.

"An excellent translation.... A gay and daring translation.... I laughed over its audacious humour."-JAMES DOUGLAS in The Star.