Samarra offensive facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Samarra offensive
Part of the Mesopotamian Campaign of World War I
Date March 13 — April 23, 1917 Location North of Baghdad, present-day Iraq Result British victory.
Belligerents
British Empire  India  United Kingdom	Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Frederick Stanley Maude	Khalil Pasha, Ali İhsan Sâbis
Strength
45,000	10,000 (Khalil), 15,000 (Ali Ishan)
Casualties and losses
18,000 (+ 37,000 sick)	15,000

The Samarra offensive was a military operation that took place from March 13 to April 23, 1917. It was part of the Mesopotamian Campaign during World War I. In this battle, the British army fought against the Ottoman Empire in what is now Iraq.

What Was the Samarra Offensive?

The Samarra offensive was a major push by the British forces. Their goal was to take control of an important railroad line. This railroad ran north of Baghdad, a city the British had just captured.

Why Did the British Attack?

After the British took Baghdad on March 11, 1917, there were still Ottoman soldiers nearby. About 10,000 Ottoman troops, led by Khalil Pasha, were north of Baghdad. They could still be a danger to the British and Indian forces.

Also, another group of 15,000 Ottoman soldiers was coming from Persia. These troops, led by Ali Ihsan Bey, were trying to join Khalil Pasha's forces.

The British commander, Frederick Stanley Maude, decided he needed to act. To stop these threats, he planned to capture the Samarrah railroad. This railway was about 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Baghdad.

The Battle Begins

The British army started their operation on March 13, 1917. About 45,000 British soldiers took part in this attack.

On March 19, they successfully captured the town of Fallujah. This was a very important step towards their main goal. The British continued to push forward with their attacks.

Victory at Samarra

The fighting continued for several weeks. Finally, on April 23, the British forces reached their target. They captured the town of Samarrah and its important railroad. This meant the British had achieved their main goals for the offensive.

What Was the Cost?

Even though the British won, the Samarra offensive was costly. About 18,000 British soldiers were injured or killed during the fighting. This was a high price to pay for the victory. Also, another 38,000 soldiers became sick during the campaign.