TCD MS 3414 folio 28 recto
[May-June 1915]
R.N. one marine & one interpreter went to the barracks; on arrival he found 500 armed Turks within, with great coolness he ordered them to lay down their arms, they did so, and the whole lot were taken into custody by the one marine & marched to the river front! Later other armed bodies strolled in & gave up their rifles. The Shaitan pushed off down the Jahaila canal to observe the movements of another huge crowd: they fired a few rounds & many surrendered, they proved to be none other than the advanced guard of Tugastani’s army from Alwaz, who hearing of our success at Kurna had withdrawn on Amarah. So Amarah was taken and guarded during the night of the 3rd of June by General Townshend, Sir Percy Cox, a few officers, & 43 men, one round had taken the town only two rifle shots were fired against us. The Comet had arrived some hours after the Shaitan, so the place was actually taken by them; 900 regular soldiers a steamer, 2 barges & quantities of stores & ammunition <together with the Military Governor & Staff of Amarah>. Early on June 4th, the Arabs, although they knew we had taken the town failed to observe any soldiers about,