Once the campaign pushed north from Basra, land artillery had to be towed, emplaced, and prepared before firing. Insect and Fly-class gunboats could instead move with the advance and engage from the river. Their fire while under way was imperfect, but forts and shore batteries were usually stationary targets. This combination of mobility and six-inch firepower made the river flotilla central to the advance toward Kut and Baghdad.
Chapter · 17:12-19:18
Gunboats carry mobile fire support toward Kut and Baghdad
Insect and Fly-class gunboats made the advance from Basra toward Kut and Baghdad more practical by moving heavy firepower with the front.