Photo; General Putros on white horse [centre] surrounded by Assyrian and Russian Officers.

THE HEROES OF SHERABKHANA

The ammunition left by the Russians was nearly exhausted. The British promise of supplies had not eventuated. Volunteers were called for a dangerous mission. The Russians had left a large quantity of supplies on the other side of Lake Urmia in a storehouse in the port of Sharabkhana. The area was in enemy hands. Desperate situations called for desperate actions, 160 men volunteered to cross the Lake. At the Lake a Russian boat was moored, its captain also a Russian was eager to help. Though it was not known at the time he was Bolshevik and he was to betray the plan to the enemy. The boat, loaded with 160 men made its way towards the port unaware they were observed by the Turks on the other side. The men landed and made their way towards the storehouse when suddenly they found themselves surrounded by a large number of the enemy. They fought their way back to reach the boat, but found it far from shore.

 The Assyrians were captured and their bodies mutilated. The fragments of their bodies were later gathered through the permission secured by the American Consul in Tabriz, and were taken to that city and given a Christian burial. They volunteered knowing they may not return, they sacrificed their lives to save their Assyrian nation. The Turkish forces of Salamas have now regrouped and started their advance on Urmia. It was known to the Assyrians that in order to reach the city they must pass a natural fortification, with Lake Urmia on one side and a promontory on the other, which would fall on the approaching Armies right flank. A company of Assyrians was ordered to scale the promontory and a larger force was to remain on ground level. As the enemy entered the area held, they were forced to march in close formation. The order to attack was given; the Assyrian ground troops engaged the enemy with a bayonet charge whilst the company on the promontory fired from fixed positions. Due to their forced close formations the effect on the enemy was devastating; The Kurdish element of the enemy force deserted their positions as soon as the hostilities began. The Turks were forced to retreat, and were later regrouped and re-enforced. The Assyrians have had no choice on many occasions such as this; they did not pursue the enemy for lack of ammunition.

THE TURKISH PRISONERS

The proposal of the Turkish prisoners. The Assyrians have been aware for some time of the change in attitude in the Turkish prisoners. Contrary to what they have been told by their leaders, that if captured [The Assyrian would place you on the fire then devour you]. They have witnessed the compassion in which they treated the Turkish wounded. And the respect they have shown the Turkish officers and the generosity of providing ample food and comfort to their captives. They had developed a sincere sympathy for these Highlanders. It was at this time, the Turkish officers held captives, requested an audience with Agha Putros and his Generals. [My grand father Dadisho Giwargis of Barwar only 17 at the time still remembered this day many years later and often spoke of it].The ranking Turkish officer addressed the Assyrian high command; You are absolutely the bravest people on the face of the earth, your courage is most unique, your valor incomparable. You are truly a Christian people. We have seen this in your conduct, not only towards us, but also toward all your enemies. You are lions in war and lambs in victory. Unfortunately however, you are a small nation, you cannot replace your slain, and you cannot continue to fight millions of your foes. Turkey will eventually bring a mighty Army that will flood and overwhelm you. And you have no ammunition and no factories to manufacture the same. We are telling you this honestly, you have been deserted by your allies, were are the guns promised you? Where is the British Army? You have been left alone to fight the battle of your Allies. You have seen all this yourselves. Come now, make peace with Turkey.

We know you feel you cannot rely upon her word, we know you feel you will be betrayed. But we will take up the cause for you. Leave it to us, and while we are still your captives, we will negotiate those terms for you. We will arrange to secure for you the most satisfactory guarantees you need. Nor do we want you to take the initiative in the matter, by which you might give an impression of weakness on your part. We will take up the negotiations. We will suggest the proposition for the mutual benefit of both sides. It will pay you to make an alliance with the Turks, no matter what the final issues of the war may be. You will not be called to take up Arms against your former friends, Russia is no longer active in this war, and the British are remote. You will have no occasion to face them in hostilities. Look after and seek your own destiny. Consider your own future, and think of yourselves first and last. You just say the word and leave the matter to us. We have learnt to appreciate you and love you. We honestly desire you the best good.

The Turkish proposal was genuine. The Assyrians warmed by the proposal of their captives had spoken to them affectionately.

You have said that you have learnt to appreciate us and love us, for that we thank you, but now we ask you to understand us. We are an honorable people, we have given our word to the British, and to the last man we will fight to honor that word. Even if we all perish, no man can say the Assyrian was not a man of honor, no man can say the Assyrian deserted his Allies in time of need.

The Assyrians decided to remain loyal and hold the front allotted to them at all costs. All the Turkish prisoners were later released for their own safety.

  Photo; General Putros accepting surrender of Urmia Moslems.

THE RAF IN URMIA

8th June 1918, with their ammunition rapidly dwindling, the Assyrians dug-in and concentrated their forces on defense only. News of the Assyrian success had reached the British in Baghdad. General Dunsterville [Dunsterforce] desired to protect his left flank as much as possible. The most obvious means of doing that was to make contact with the Assyrians in Urmia. So it was, on the 8th of June The Assyrian defenders spotted a plane circling the city, thinking it was Turkish they fired at it. Luckily it was not damaged, for an Assyrian officer spotted the British flag on the tail fin. RAF Captain Pennington landed close to the city, with cheers and embraces the Assyrians escorted him to General Headquarters. He laid out a plan of campaign. The Assyrians at this time were being attacked from two sides, the North and the South West, it was arranged that the northern front should be held firmly by the Urmia battalion, whilst General Putros takes his battalion and attacks the Turks at Saujbulak to the southwest. He should then make contact with the British detachment at Sain Kala.

At first all went well, the northern front held tight, in the southwest Putros's battalion defeated the Turks. After carefully mapping out his route and drafting his plans, he decided that he would move south in three columns, each separated by some miles of rough country. It was then decided to attack during the night, and force the enemy to fall back on his base, and into the hands of the mounted force. The whole plan worked without a hitch. The column moving without mishap, got into touch with the Turks and formed a line, and in the dead of night, the whole line moved forward to the accompaniment of in­tense rifle fire and shouts of victory. The Turks were confused at this unexpected attack at such an unexpected time. Their stand was feeble and they were forced to retire in a disordered state to Suldaz, to find waiting for them a mounted Assyrian force in such positions that the Turks were completely annihilated. This action however delayed his battalion. On the 23rd, the appointed date, the British detachment reached Sain Kala. This party which started from Bijar on July 19th was under captain Savige, but was escorted by the Royal 14th Hussars, under colonel Bridges. The party carried 45,600 pounds in Persian silver, twelve Lewis Guns, and 100,000 rounds of ammunition. This detachment was ordered to halt 100 miles south of Urmia at Sain Kala. At Sain Karla there was no word of the Assyrians. Two days later, still no word, Colonel Bridges complaining that his horses were running low on grain, decided to withdraw. To Captain Savage's party, this decision caused intense disappointment, and it's officer's mostly Anzacs [Australian and New Zealanders], volunteered to the last man to get through to lake Urmia and meet the Assyrians. They suggested that Colonel Bridges need not accompany them.

Savige later wrote, "I thought we were not giving them a chance".

The proposal was not approved. They were ordered to withdraw. Col Bridges content with leaving the Assyrians to their fate. Captain Savige it seems was of a different caliber, he was determined to reach them.

“We were prepared to do the job, if need be, on dry rice and water. This was considered to be impracticable and, being soldiers, we had to obey orders, and leave next day with hearts full of disappointment. The idea of still being able to reach the Christians had not by any means left us”.

 Captain Savige

 After several attempts he secured permission to halt his unit fifty miles to the rear at Takan Tepe, with the intention of raising a local force and riding to Urmia. General Putros in the meantime arrived to meet the British detachment at Sain Kala only to find they had retired, knowing he could not return to Urmia empty handed he continued to Taken Tepe and arrived there on the 3rd of August.

“Of all the sights that one was privileged to see, these horsemen winding along the valley was one never to be forgotten. They came along in an orderly, soldierly fashion, split up into groups of about equal size to our own troop of cavalry. Ahead of each group rode the leader, and behind him, came his standard bearer, who carried a large red flag across which was worked a white cross, the flag of Agha Putros, the Commander in Chief, being the gaudiest of all. It was made of silk, fringed with gold with the usual white cross in the centre, over which was worked the Assyrian words, "Trust God and Follow the Cross!' The horsemen, on nearing the camp, swung off alternately to the right and left, and in a remark­ably short space of time had picketed their horses and were preparing their evening meal.

 Captain Savige

The Assyrians at Urmia, on the northern front, were holding the Turks in check. Then an unfortunate and unexpected incident occurred!

Photo; Captain Savige

Captain Savige explains; Dr. Shed, the American Missionary, had been left behind to conduct affairs in the absence of Agha Putros. He noticed that the Armenians were evacuating their line north of the city. When questioned as to the reason of their strange behavior, they stated they were simply moving from their camp to a more healthy position. This did not seem at all feasible to Dr. Shed, who told them that he thought they were lying and that their intentions were to desert the Assyrians. They as­sured him that this was not the case, and after his asking them if they contemplated such an act, to remain for at least four days, he rode back to the city, on their giving him their promises. They apparently waited till nightfall and then continued their march southwards, The Turks very soon received intelligence of the fact that the northern portion of the line, held by the Armenians, was unoccupied, and, together with the Kurds, moved down on the city. Small parties of Assyrians moved out to inter­cept them and delay their advance until the inhabitants had sufficient time to escape.

The front began to waver. The Turks, seizing this opportunity attacked in force and the front collapsed. The Assyrians began a retreat southwest towards the British lines. They retreated with all their families and livestock. The heat in late summer was unbearable; the procession had barely started when they were attacked from all sides with a combined force of Turks, Persians and Kurds.

General Agha Putros on his return from Sain Kala with Captain Savige and his party met the retreating Assyrians in Takan Tepe, “Oh my Lord, these are my people” he exclaimed. The once proud highland warriors reduced to a pathetic caravan of starving refugees. General Putros deployed his men to protect the procession. Captain Savige and his party with fifty Assyrians rode fifteen miles to the rear of the sad spectacle and remained there acting as rear guard until the remaining refugees reached Bijar

[.There has been many dire retreats in military history, but this must take place as the most tragic...Lt Col R.S.Strafford].

The Assyrians lost over twenty five thousand men women and children on this march alone. Over 500 miles of hostile territory, many fell by the side of the road, too ill to continue, only to be slaughtered by the relentless Moslem Hordes. They died of hunger, murder and disease. The trail was marked with the dead, over seventy five thousand started on this trek to safety, and fewer than forty thousand reached British lines at Hamadan. 6000 Assyrian men women and children who were living in the northern end of the City did not manage to join the caravan of refugees, they had taken shelter in the American and French missions The latter was run by a French Bishop. Of all the 6000, only 59 survived the hideous tortures by escaping. Mothers and their infants were not spared the horrendous abuse. The French bishop was also tortured and his body abused in a manner too foul to mention.

Between 1915 and 1918 The Assyrians lost two thirds of their number to massacres, an estimated 500,000 souls. The remnant was then gradually transported to Baqubah near Baghdad, here began the recruitment of Assyrians in the British service.

A regiment was formed and employed at this time in a mountain campaign, near Amadia, commanded by Brigadier General H.H. Austin against their old enemy the Kurds. With the memory of the massacre on their minds and revenge in their hearts, their WAR CRY was heard throughout Kurdistan. After the campaign an Assyrian officer wrote, “Now you would not say that there ever had been a house there”. Their British commander reported very highly of them, both as campaigners and as fighting men, declaring that they did fully as well as the Indian regular troops with whom they were brigaded. The legendary Ghurkas admitted that they found an equal in the Assyrian.

The gradual enlistment into the Levies began.

After the war, the Assyrians were not returned to their homes. This, with the help of their Allies could have been easily achieved. The Armistice was signed. The Germans and the Turks were defeated, the Allies were victorious...

Not so, it seems, for the "SMALLEST ALLY".

Map; WW1 British map- Area of operations