'Arabia Intelligence Report' [‎12r] (23/52)

19
(3) The Town
AKABA was formerly a place of some importance, as it formed a depot for the supply
of water and provisions for the pilgrims from CAIRO to MECCA, but now that the majority
of the pilgrims from EGYPT use the sea route, it has lost much of this importance.
The village is largely in ruins, as the result of bombardment in the war of 1914-18.
It extends some 800 yards along the shore and is surrounded by groves of date palms.
It consists of an old square fort, a few mud buildings chiefly occupied by fishermen, and some
military huts on the eastern slopes overlooking the bay. The permanent inhabitants do no
exceed 200 in number. The water supply is ample and the large deep well, which was formerly
used for supplying the large pilgrim caravans, is in the fort. Drinking water of fair quality
is obtainable from a well near Chatham Pier, while some good springs exist just north-west
of the village. The amount of water available varies with the season In summer it is
reported that 5,000 men would be the maximum that could be supplied, while from Novembci
to April sufficient for as many as 15,000 men might well be obtained.
(4) Government Establishments
The Customs House at the head of Chatham Pier is well built and used as a general
purpose Government building.
Authorities
The Commanding Officer of an Arab Legion post exercises function of Military Com
mandant. The village headman is subordinate to him.
(5) Commercial Establishments
An unsuccessful attempt was made some years ago to establish industry to supply frozen
fish, locally caught, to TRANSJORDAN Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and PALESTINE. Remains of refrigerating plant
are still standing.
(6) Aircraft Factories
Nil.
(7) Air Facilities. {See also Section IV (3))
There is an emergency landing ground I mile north of the head of the Gulf, at the junction
of AKABA -NEKHL and ARABA -GAZA roads. It has a black circle and corner markings.
The bay is suitable for operating flying boats and seaplanes.
(8) War Material Factories
Nil.
(9) Power Plants
Nil.
(10) Transport Facilities A r A . A xT
All regular traffic by cars and lorries has to go by the track up the main wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. to MA AN
(aboul 70 miles) and branch off from there. The construction of a new road and rail link is
projected.
(11) Signal Communications
There is no telegraph or telephone system. A W/T station is sited in the Arab Legion
posts, which is in touch with AMMAN and other stations.
(12) Defences
Nil.
(13) Reconnaissance
The most suitable place to land trciops is along the shore for three mdes
westward from the pier, where the beach is sandy and clear of reefs. Immediately instior ,
there are some low sand hills and scrubs which would afford some protection to defenders,
tat about half a mile inland up the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. the land beomies flat and devoid of all cover,
except occasional scrub.
The shore for a mile northward from El Burg Point is also suitable for landing troops
but the plain here is commanded by the mountains further inshore. Southward o L urg
the coast is steep-to and unsuitable for landing operations.
b**3
(C43043)