THE SECRETS OF A KUTrITE.*
CAPTAIN MOIISLEY joined the Sixth Division soon after Ctesiphon, and fought in the brilliant rearguard action at Um-al-Tabul, which enabled General Townshend's force, retreating before heavy Turkish reinforcements, to reach Kut-el-Amara. He served through the siege, was wounded, and after the surrender of Kut suffered indescribable hardships as a prisoner—hard- ships which were not lessened by the fact that they were shared, almost without exception, by the entire garrison. He com- menced this diary during the siege, and with great perseverance continued to record his experiences through a long captivity. Parts of his manuscript he was obliged to conceal while a prisoner in Turkey, and difficulties in recovering it account for the late appearance of his book. The diary, vividly written as it is, has one defect which, if anything, increases rather than diminishes its interest. During the siege, when the whole of Kut was literally swept by shell-fire, and when his duties, owing to heavy casualties, were apparently endless, he found time and inclina- tion to write with obvious care, to cultivate the niceties of style —indeed, his writing is a little precious. In captivity it under- went an almost imperceptible change. His sentences are less carefully strung together—they are sometimes ill-constructed- and his descriptions, though still vivid, are like an artist's unfinished pencil sketches. The reader becomes conscious of a mental change in the diarist which could only with difficulty be conveyed by words. The psychic effect of captivity is perhaps • Ths &CPAS of a HMSO . Br Captain B. 0. Monday, RSA. Landon : John Lane. 18a. 0c1.] the most reasonable and interesting explanation of this. How- ever, Captain Mousley to the day of his release remained a
spirited and resourceful officer. After a terrible trek from Kut across Asia Minor, he was imprisoned with other officers in Kastamuni, several hundred miles east of Constantinople.
Here, by way of occupation, he organized an orchestra. Most of the instruments were home-made; others, in various states of efficiency, were obtained locally. The music, of course, had to be written ; this was done with the aid of a volume of
Prout's Harmony which turned up opportunely. He also assisted in compiling Smoke, the Kastamuni Punch. Much of it
is reprinted in this book, with photographs of the original journal. Particularly amusing are the notices, quoted by Captain Mousley, which were issued in all seriousness by the Turkish Commandant.
" Officers are allowed the bath and bazaar and footer. Why not go about properly dressed ? Surely no hat or in the hand is not properly dressed. Sticks are forbidden, and officers cannot walk with sticks. It is forbidden to get drunk or sing as the noise stops the sleep of neighbours. If a fire starts it goes. Therefore don't smoke in bedrooms, for God sake."
" Possession of the offensives have been taken. Other officers are requested not to escape, and will be surely shot in bunking, Officers offensive in this fashion, giving their parole, are informed they must be fired at in any case. All are requested to be happy. Do not take rotten advantage of your old posts, for God sake. This is final notice before shooting. Let the special one note."
This latter refers specially to Captain Mousley, who assisted some officers to escape, although he was unable to get away himself.
After considerable delay he was taken to Constantinople to receive medical .attention. The treatment was shamefully inadequate. With Lieut.-Colonel S. F. Newcombe he attempted to escape in an open boat across the Sea of Marmora. The boat was leaky, they were without bailers, and the weather was rough. There was no spare mast, and when the one crazy mast eventually snapped they were obliged to return to Stamboul. This they managed without mishap, obtained a carriage by pretending to be German civilians, and drove back to garrison. Their absence was unnoticed. However, a letter containing plans of the escape came into the hands of the Turks, and the prisoners were court-martialled. Captain Mousley well knew
how to look after himself. On another occasion he was examined by a Turkish officer who had evidently been reading his letters.
" Who was Earl Grey, was George Lloyd related to Lloyd George ? . . . I merely told him that I had only commenced to get food after being neglected for some days, and if he would get me permission to have a bath I would be glad and happy to help him to waste as little of his valuable time as possible. This he did 1 "
Towards the Armistice Captain Mousley took an active part in political intrigue ; to the reader his adventures are exciting, if occasionally bewildering. With characteristic good fortune, he returned to England on release with a naval pass. This was invaluable for crossing France in those days of congested transport, since he was mistaken for Captain R.N. instead of R.F.A. and ranked as a brigadier in the Army. For the description of the siege of Kut alone this diary is worth reading.
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