"الخليج الفارسي وخليج عُمان. الدفاعات الساحلية والموارد." [‎٨‎٠] (١١٤/٩٠)

80
PERSIAN GULF.—RESOURCES AND DEFENCES.
the country must approach via Jehara from the W. or N. In
the absence of information provision must be made against
modern rifles and field guns. 0
Koweit is secure from attack by sea.
Forces Available.
The scheme mentions a body of 3,000 Arab riflemen (presum
ably the " mounted column " referred to in another place), but
does not state the total strength of the Koweit forces. There
was unlimited labour for intrenching, &c.
The land forces were supported "by the following- vessels •—
" Marathon," " Sphinx," " Lapwing," and "Redbreast," together
with the shallow draught gunboats " Assaye "and " Plassy " and
also the following dhows :—
6 fitted for 1—3-pr. Hotchkiss each.
2 „ 1—7-pr. R.M.L.
1 „ 1-9-,,r. „
1 he dhows could be armed at one hour's notice.
The scheme proposed, if time allowed; to arm all the dhows
with 9-prs instead of the lighter guns, and to increase the
number of dhows to 12.
Field Guns required in addition to those Available.
r lhe scheme required 6—7-pr. field guns for use with the
mounted columns; the gnus were to be drawn by camels and
served by Arabs (already well trained to the work with similar
guns from the ships).
Froposed Measures for Defence.*
1. Jehara Fort (commanding the wells 1,900 yards N W of it)
to be held by trained Arabs with two Nordenfelt machine guns.
Ihe tort to be connected with the sea by a line of trenches
(U nnles in length) manned by 3,000 Arab riflemen.
Ihe •'mounted columns " to be accompanied bv 6 7-nr field
guns drawn by camels.
The armed dhows and two shallow draught gunboats to lie in
e Duhat Kathama, extended from a point as close as possible to
.Jehara, for several miles along the coast to the N.E. close in
shore, with the object, (1) of commanding the beach road and
denying it to a hostile advance, and (2) of supporting the Jehara
trenches and fort with long range fire (distance 3,000 to 6,000
yarcte).
(NJ.O. Note. It was anticipated that holding the beach road
woiiid compel the enemy to advance via Sahwan. It is suggested
wi h leserve that the enemy might have utilised the E. route and
then crossed over to the desert route before coming within rano -e
oi the ships guns). e
actaaUycVrtruTted? 15 " 0 ontrend ' ments emplacements were