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The definitive account of 'the most abject capitulation in Britain's military history' (James Morris) The siege of Kut is a story of blunders, sacrifice, imprisonment and escape. The allied campaign in Mesopotamia began in 1914 as a relatively simple operation to secure the oilfields in the Shatt-al-Arab delta and Basra area. Initially it was a great success, but as the army pressed towards Baghdad its poor logistic support, training, equipment and command left it isolated and besieged by the Turks. By 1916 the army had not been relieved, and on 29 April 1916, the British Army suffered one of the worst defeats in its military history. Major-General Sir Charles Townshend surrendered his allied force to the Turks in the Mesopotamian (now Iraq) town of Kut-al-Amara. Over 13,000 troops, British and Indian, went into captivity; many would not survive their incarceration. In Kut 1916, Colonel Crowley recounts this dramatic tale and its terrible aftermath. 'There is plenty of horseflesh, which the Indians have been authorised by their religious leaders to eat, and I have to recall with sorrow, that by not having taken the advantage of this wise dispensation they have weakened my power of resistance by one month.' (Maj. Gen Townshend.) AUTHOR: Patrick Crowley is a historian and battlefield tour guide. He recently retired after 34 years' service in the Queen's Regiment, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment and staff appointments. He has served in England, Northern Ireland, Belize, Gibralatar, Zimbabwe and Iraq (where he was awarded the American Meritorious Service Medal). His other works include 'A Guide to the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment and Loyal to Empire' (forthcoming, THP 2016). SELLING POINTS: . Fully updated with new foreword to tie in with centenary of the siege . New foreword by Gary Sheffield . 'Thought-provoking and offers a multitude of history lessons. In that respect it is required reading' – Soldier Magazine review . Critically acclaimed history issued in paperback for the first time to tie-in with the centenary . The story of defeat and imprisonment of 13,000 Allied troops – and the betrayal by General Townshend . Afterword by Lieutenant-General Sir Graeme Lamb 150 b/w images

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PATRICK CROWLEY is a historian and battlefield tour guide. He recently retired after thirty-four years’ service in the Queen’s Regiment and Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. He was awarded the American Meritorious Service Medal for his service in Iraq. His other publications include A Guide to the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, Kut 1916 and Loyal to Empire (The History Press, 2016).

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