'Short memorandum on the inception, difficulties and results of the Mesopotamian Campaign' [‎4r] (7/10)

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Some loss : n transit occurred "n ready-made craft sent from Ind'a, partly on
account of construct.on and partly owing to unfavourable weather which in urgency
had to be faced.
These difficulties combined to render the provis : on of river craft—up to the
present the principal factor in the operations in iMesopotamia—a matter involving
much greater delays than at first glance appear necessary. These delays have
hampered the operations throughout, and could only have been avoided by
preparation far in advance, which again would have depended for its extent on a
defined policy, which was lacking.
Another difficulty in regard to river transport has been manning the vessels*
The crews set free by purchase of vessels brought from different parts of the
world cou 1 .d only be employed by inducements, which at times failed ; or by compul-
s : on, which was not attempted The problem of the built-to-order vessels remains
and will continue to present difficulties.
Further difficulties arise in regard to supplies.
Fuel suitable for the use of forces in the field is scarce and its carriage
beyond the base adds to the task of the insufficient river transport.
Vegetables, grown in certain localises, are not procurable at the fighting front
in adequate quantity, while the import of vegetables from overseas is hampered for
much of the year by climate.
Forage, procurable locally in its season, has to be transported to the forces»
At other seasons is has to be imported and transferred up river.
Frorl. — Insufficency of meat on hoof to meet the requirements of the con
centrated forces at the front is the principal problem, but the limited river trans
port tends to restrict the carriage of all but necessaries, so that the food problem
cannot be ideally solved till the transport problem has been solved.
The expenditure of ammunition and the need for keeping up large reserves
near the front has of course borne heavily on the river transport.
The absence of villages and towns at the battle front make the provision
of she ter for the troops essential to the preservation of hea th in the hot season
and desirable at ail times. The supply of tents at the front has been hampered
by the difficulty of river transport, and the provision of huts in localities where
more permanent arrangements are possible has been slow for the same reason, as
except for earth all materials have had to be brought up from the base.
14. Climatic —Climatic conditions in Mesopotamia militate against operations
for the greater part of the year.
Floods hampering movement, and, in the vicinity of the Tigris, restricting
manoeuvre and imposing grave disadvantages on the attackers, have seriously pre
judiced the important later operations in Mesopotamia.
The damp areas left by the floods and the heat which followed the floods
favour insect life with its disease spreading effects.
Heat has hampered movement, and its exhausting effect has predisposed to
s ckness.
The large amount of evacuation during the past three months is primarily due
to this.
The variations of temperature experienced in winter, high winds, and cold
followed by periods of warmth, have also had their effect on the sick rate.
Rain storms, heavy and frequent in the winter, impede movement to a peculiar
extent owing to the nature of the soil.
Mirage is another difficulty which has to be experienced to be realised.
It has never been experienced by our troops in the degree which it is met with in
Mesopotamia.
Disease. —Tropical diseases, malaria, dysentery, the typhoids, and cholera
have all to be combatted in conditions which impose every disadvantage on
the human being.