"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية. الحملة في بلاد الرافدين ١٩١٤-١٩١٨. المجلد IV". [و‎‎٢‎٥] (٥٤٠/٥٤)

ATTACK ON RAMADI 25
supply from the river* near Mushaid was soon organised. The
first supply of water reached the firing line about 10 a.m. and
supply was maintained unceasingly till 4 p.m., by which time a
total of some 2,000 gallons had been sent forward, the vans
bringing back wounded and exhausted men. At 4 p.m., when
the Ford vans had to be used to evacuate casualties to Dhibban,
the supply of water was continued by units’ first line transport.
Our advanced troops had, however, suffered greatly from the
terrific heat and from thirst much intensified by the burning
wind and the clouds of dust; and their casualties from heat
stroke had been very heavy. Though their guns continued to
shell our advanced troops, the Turks made no attempt at an
offensive movement, but there were several unsuccessful
attacks by Arabs against our flanks.
Towards evening, reports from the front indicated that the
enemy contemplated a retirement and in view of such a
contingency our troops endured and held on to their forward
positions. The night began to pass quietly, but our patrols
still reported the enemy as occupying his trenches in strength ;
and at 3.15 a.m., as his men were in no condition to carry out
an assault, Colonel Haldane decided on a withdrawal. This was
successfully effected without interference by the enemy and by
daybreak our advanced troops had all reached the palm groves
on the river bank north of Mushaid Point. Here, covered by
an outpost line of troops who had not been actively engaged,
they rested throughout the 12th July, operations being limited
to an artillery duel and patrol activities in the morning and
evening.
Colonel Haldane came to the conclusion that, owing to its
strength, the capture of the enemy’s position would necessitate
prolonged operations which the great heat rendered prohibitive ;
and he reported his intention of withdrawing to Madhij early
next day. This retirement commenced at 2 a.m. on the 13th
July, our rear guard being followed and attacked by about
1,500 Arabs, who were beaten off and severely punished as soon
as it got light. Madhij proved to be particularly vulnerable
to Arab sniping and in the evening of the 13th the force
retired to Dhibban, which was reached by our rear guard about
9.30 p.m.f after further hostilities by Arabs.
In this abortive operation against Ramadi our total casual
ties amounted to 566. Of these 321 were due directly to the
heat, which thus caused us greater loss than the enemy. Both
Generals Maude and Cobbe agreed that the force had been
handled with ability and judgment and that all ranks had
* The water in the canal was salt and quite undrinkable,
t Sunset was about 7.5 p.m.