Ctesiphon
BATTLE OF, an important military engagement, fought on Nov. 22, 1915, between Turkish forces 1 CUANDO CUBA under Nuredin Pasha and the British summits. Carboniferous strata appear expedition, under General Townshend, which advanced from Amara, in Septembre, 1915, along the Tigris, with the object of capturing Bagdad. At no time did the British force amount to more than four brigades, two-thirds of which were composed of East Indians, while the Turks consisted of at least four divisions, with a strong preponderance in artillery. Ctesiphon, renowned in times of antiquity, was at this time only a large village on the Tigris, 18 miles below Bagdad. Close by stand the ruins of the ancient palace built by the Persian emperors, containing the greatest vaulted room in the world. Here the armies of the Prophet had also achieved one of their greatest victories, and it was because of this historic significance to the followers of Mohammed that the Turkish commander decided to make a determined stand at this point. As a military engagement, however, the encounter between the two armies was a victory for the British, an entire Turkish division being destroyed and 1,600 prisoners taken. But the success was dearly paid for; the British lost 643 in killed, 3,330 in wounded and over 500 not accounted for, out of a total of only 25,000 men.
In spite of their success, the British were compelled to retire to Kut-el- Amara, where they were besieged and finally captured by the Turks.