'Field notes: Mesopotamia. General Staff, India. February, 1917.' [‎137r] (280/350)

Route INo. 35— contd.
Division or a Cavalry Brigade. Water good from Nahr Khayain,.
but slightly brackish.
An alternative to the above is to follow a line a little north
of east for the first nine or ten miles.
This keeps to the north of two lines of palm trees and
avoids the soft ground near them. Just east of the second
clump of palms the direction should be changed to a little
S. of E. and then runs in a direct line for Manduwan. This
avoids the damp ground which is sometimes encountered fur
ther inland and also the bad ground east of the Siaijji Creek.
This alternative route is also bad for light lorries and im
possible for heavy ones.
This stage was traversed by the 23rd Cavalry, in April,
1915.
2 SALMANEH ISLAND . 12.—General direction of
Stage North-North-
30 East. The track
runs on a bearing of 64 degrees over open desert, which in the
dry season is good going for all arms. As the floods rise the
water from the Karun river spreads north-west and renders
this stage impassable. It, however, normally is still practi
cable up to the beginning of April, though a detour may have
to be made to the northwards.
Camping ground on the bank of the Karun river one mile
below Salmaneh Island. Water good and plentiful from river.
Landing place good. Limited supply of brushwood fuel.
Plentiful camel grazing in vicinity. No supplies.
3 ALI IBIN AL HUSAIN 16.—General direction of
Stage North-North-
46
East, following right bank of Karun river. Distance by river
21 miles.
The track is in dry weather, good going for all arms. After
rain it becomes heavy for wheeled transport, and in the flood
season the first five miles are liable to flood.
There are a few shallow nalas to be crossed; these form no
obstacle. From the last camping ground strike due north-
until the river is met at mile 5 then follow the river. At mile