'Field notes: Mesopotamia. General Staff, India. February, 1917.' [‎85v] (177/350)

t
162
Route No. 8— contd.
3 UMM AT TUBUL . 16.—General direction of
stage W.N.W. From
51 the camping ground
the road runs N.W. direct to the bend of the river at Shidhaif
ruins (mile 5). Plentiful scrub is available there for fuel, and
watering is easy from Tigris. Also there is a good camp site
on fairly high ground. From here the road runs due north for
about i a mile over sandy soil covered with scrub. It then ,
runs due west for 5 miles passing over extensive ruins. The
going is good. At mile 16 the road runs to within 1 mile of
the Tigris, and a camp site can be found at this point, but fuel
is scarce and watering difficult, owing to the steepness of the
banks. Good fuel and easy watering can be obtained about 1
mile further along the river bank. Road^is fit for motor traffic.
4 ’AZIZIYAH . . 10.—General direction of
stage N.N.W. From
61 the last camping
ground at Umm at Tubul, the road runs over bare ground to
within 2 miles of ’Aziziyah. Scrub commences again here and
the road is very dusty. A certain amount of scrub jungle is
available for fuel near” the village of ’Aziziyah and watering is
easy from the Tigris.
Camping ground.—Unlimited space, standing fairly high. It
may be reckoned to be dry in flood season unless a particularly
high flood causes a spill at Lajj, in which case the flood-water may
reach ’Aziziyah and even Dabuni. The village consists of about
30 mud houses and a few shops. There is no cultivation, and
no supplies can be counted on. There is a telegraph office.
Road fit for motor traffic.
o ZUWAIR (otherwise 15.—General direction of
known as ROB AIDA). stage N.W. Road runs
76 nearly due west near
the telegraph line towards the bend of the river known as
Qutuniyah, which is defined by a small wood. About 3 miles
out, the road crosses a depression, covered with high reeds,
which forms a marsh after rises in the river, and m the dry
season is heavy going. This depression is impracticable for
wheeled transport during, or shortly after, ram. The marsh
can be avoided by following the bank of the river, but hero