'Military Report on Mesopotamia (Iraq)' [‎16v] (37/226)

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S.A.A. (b) Observation is difficult in the summer, owing
to haziness produced by the heat and dust.
( 2 ) The wind, both in summer and winter, often stirs up
dust-storms, which last from one or two minutes to twelve
hours or more. While they last, such storms completely
limit observation, and are often employed by the Arabs to
cloak a surprise attack or raid. Columns operating in
hostile country should invariably, on the approach of a
sand-storm, halt and adopt a close defensive formation
such as a hollow square with transport in the centie.
( 3 ) Great care should be taken in the summer and
autumn to prevent prairie fires, which, owing to the dry
nature of the vegetation and persistent winds, may set
the country side ablaze for miles. Such fires may also be
used by tribesmen to hide their movements.
Medical Cauditions—There is practically no informa
tion available as to health conditions among the civil
population. No outbreak of infectious diseases has
occurred since our occupation, but serious epidemics,
typhus, cholera and relapsing fever have been known to
occur. Sanitation in villages is practically non-existent.
During the spring and autumn, insects prove great pests,
and nets should always be carried for protection against
flies, sandflies, and mosquitoes. Flies abound even in the
desert, especially in the area of former tribal camping
grounds, and for this reason it is advisable to avoid such
places as camping grounds. The mosquitoes activities ai e
confined to the Jabal Sinjar, Jabal Abd al Aziz, the upper
reaches of the Jaghjaghah River and the Nisibin area.
Lice and fleas infest most villages and it is quite common
to find settled villagers living in tents in order to avoid
these pests. , , , , *
Troops in the open are exposed to great extremes of
temperature—the difference between summer and winter
temperatures and the difference between day and night
temperatures. Sun and heat strokes are liabilities that
must be guarded against in the hot weather.
No statistics are available to indicate the incidence ot
sickness in military columns during the various seasons,
but, so long as proper precautions are taken, admissions
to hospital should be small.
The evacuation of sick, except in the hills, will be
possible by horse wagons or cars.
Water .-—Water is the governing factor in Northern
Jazirah in regard to marches and size of operating
columns. In winter an infantry division will be able