'Military Report on Iraq. Area 2 (Upper Euphrates)' [‎58v] (121/140)

( 6 ) HIT-KUBAISAH. (13 miles.) General direction west-
south-west. From one mile west of Hit the ground is heavy and
in wet weather impassable for L.A.M.B. cars and lorries. The
remainder of the road is good hard ground and passable for all
arms. The Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Hajiyah provides no obstacle, except after
heavy rains ; water in this wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. very brackish.
Water .—Obtainable at Hit from the Euphrates and at
Kubaisah from wells quarter of a mile west-north-west of the
town. No good drinking water en route.
Supplies .-—A certain amount of grain obtainable at Hit;
also sheep from the tribes. Nothing available at Kubaisah,
except dates.
Grazing .—-Practically nil, except for camels.
Fuel .—Scarce.
(7) RAMADI—SAMARRAH. (72 miles.) General direc
tion north-north-east. The track is followed to Tel Qabr Faraj,
mile 4, which crosses many irrigation channels crossed by
bridges passable for Ford vans, but would require strengthening
for L.A.M.B. cars. Thence onward the route strikes across
uninhabited desert along no marked track. The surface is
firm and smooth and passable for any vehicle. There are no
obstacles. The first stage is sometimes rendered impassable
for wheeled traffic by floods during the early spring.
Water. —Water exists in wells at the various stages, for
details of which see below.
Supplies .—Obtainable, except sheep, from the tribes.
Grazing .—Good in the winter months.
Fuel .—-Scarce.
Stages.
1. Bir Shaikh Ahrdan (1 well, 18 feet deep)...
2. Tarrah (1 well, providing 11,000 gallons,
dirty but drinkable) ...
3. Khanusfan (well, giving 1,200 gallons,
dirty but drinkable)
4. Hulaiq adh Dhib (2 wells)
5. Alubayah (2 wells)
6 . Shunanah Kabir (1 good well)
7. Samarrah ...
Miles.
13
22
30i
40
54J
60-i
72
( 8 ) RAMADI—RAHHALIYAH. (50 miles.) General direc
tion due south. The route is passable for army transport carts
throughout the year and for L.A.M.B. cars in dry weather.
After heavy rain it would be impassable for motors. The road
runs over undulating desert of gravelly surface.