'Military Report on Mesopotamia (Iraq)' [‎25r] (54/226)

/
V
37
Arms and Ammunition. —The tribesmen of Northern
Jazirah possess no mean conception of the capability and
usefulness of a rifle, and accordingly set a high value on
the modern ( small-bore rifle. Before the war, the
commonest rifle in tribal hands was the Martini, but
since 1914 the various tribes have accumulated a large
number of Turkish Mausers. There are also quite a
number of modern British Lee-Enfields, which . were
captured by the Turks and either sold or given to the
tribes. Mauser ammunition is plentiful, and likely in
ordinary circumstances to furnish a supply of 100 rounds
per Mauser for several years. British ammunition is
hard to obtain and the Enfield is frequently used as a
single loader with a Mauser cartridge. Martini ammu
nition is exhausted and the possessors of such weapons
usually refill old cases with black powder and add the
necessary lead. There also exist many old muzzle-loading
shot-guns, French chassepots and blunderbusses.
Since 1920 the main supply of the tribes has come from
the Turks or via Dair al Zor from Aleppo. In the event
of a Turkish move on Mosul, the pro-Turkish tribe%would
be supplied from Nisibin. At present supplies of black
powder are obtainable in Mosul. There seems no
possibility of preventing the importation of arms from
Aleppo, unless the French authorities co-operate with the
authorities of Iraq.
Fighting Characteristics and Tactics. —The Badawin
tribesman of Northern Jazirah is essentially a mounted
soldier, if by soldier is understood merely fighting man.
“ Mounted ” implies the possession of a horse, camel, or
mule. In desert warfare the death of the beast usually
means the death or capture of its rider, and great care
is consequently taken to aVoid close contact with superior
mounted forces.
The inhabitants of Northern Jazirah have manifested
little or no fanaticism as followers of the Prophet, and
accordingly display little of the blind elan of their more
impressionable brethren of Southern Iraq. They are little
moved either by religion or politics, and are unlikely to
turn out in large numbers where there is a risk of death,
unless there is a chance of loot. Even in a family blood-
feud, the death of a victim is not so much desired as his
personal possessions. In an ordinary tribal fracas the
Badawin evinces no great blood-lust. Casualties are few,
and surrenders freely accepted. In warfare against.
“ Mafirs ” or infidels, prisoners are not likely to be taken.
Seldom have tribesmen displayed any desire for deter
mined attack on columns of trained British soldiers.