Chapter I: Preface

The following pages were actually written during the siege of Kut or during captivity. The original manuscript was concealed in Turkey and recovered months after the Armistice. I have been persuaded by my friends that to recast or add to the story would detract from whatever appeal it may have as a human document. As such, with all its limitations, it is offered to the public.

The exigencies of a captivity such as mine, even more than in the field, determine from moment to moment one's focus and perspective, and what to-day presents itself for record is to-morrow ignored or forgotten by concentration on the few things and the few moments that count. Added to this there is for the prisoner the pressure of existence when, so far from being allowed a pencil, he is considerably occupied with selling his last fork.

One moves on from minute to minute between walls that recede or converge, and one's experience, therefore, is a series of incidents often unfinished. A diary must reflect one's experience.

The secrets of every Kuttite would "make many books" as large as this. And from an experience more varied than fell to the lot of many prisoners the author hopes that the following extract, a simple story of incident, adventure and intrigue, may interest the British reader.

EDWARD O. MOUSLEY.

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE CLUB, PALL MALL, _March, 1921_.

CONTENTS

PAGE
PREFACE ix

PART I
TO THE FALL OF KUT, APRIL 29TH, 1916

CHAPTER I
_En route_ from Hyderabad to Mesopotamia. Voyage up the Tigris 3

CHAPTER II
With the Sixth Division after Ctesiphon. The retreat and action at
Um-al-Tabul 10

CHAPTER III
We reach Kut. Beginning of the siege. The Christmas assault 22

CHAPTER IV
Relief delayed. Floods. Life during the siege 52

CHAPTER V
General Aylmer's attempt. More floods. Pressure of the siege.
Preparations for relief. Failure. Life in a siege mess 88

CHAPTER VI
The last days of Kut. Sickness. Death. Surrender 120

PART II
THE TREK. KASTAMUNI

CHAPTER VII
The Third Captivity. Baghdad. The desert march of the sick column.
We reach Ras-el-Ain 163

CHAPTER VIII
By rail and trek over the Taurus to Angora. The last trek to
Kastamuni 185

CHAPTER IX
Life in Kastamuni. The first summer, 1916 208

CHAPTER X
Winter. Our "self-made" orchestra 222

CHAPTER XI
Extracts and Photos from _Smoke_, the Kastamuni _Punch_ 232

CHAPTER XII
Spring. Plots to escape. Betrayal. Escape of others. I am sent
to Stamboul for hospital 267

PART III
STAMBOUL AND BRUSA

CHAPTER XIII
Psamatia (Stamboul). Starvation and neglect in hospital and
garrison. Plots to escape by the Bosphorus. I organize escape
from Psamatia through the heart of Stamboul. Storm and wreck
on Sea of Marmara. Return 291

CHAPTER XIV
Discovery of the letter. Brusa. Court-martial. Life in a Stamboul
prison. Politics and intrigue 323

CHAPTER XV
Brusa again. Change on Western Front. Stamboul before the end.
Political manoeuvring. The Prince Subaheddine. The Union and
Progress Party 350

CHAPTER XVI
I leave Stamboul on a mission _en route_ for the Fleet.
Meet the Prince's delegate at Smyrna. Free! With the Entente
Fleet at Mudros before entering the Dardanelles 367

CHAPTER XVII
I leave Mudros with despatches for Rome, Paris, and
London, England! 381