'Military Report on Iraq. Area 2 (Upper Euphrates)' [‎57v] (119/140)

going is good, with the exception of deep sandy stretches and
wadis, which can, however, be negotiated with difficulty.
Water .—-Water is obtainable from wells and in the rainy
season from certain wadis, which, however, dry up in the
summer.
Supplies .—With the exception of sheep it would be practically
impossible to obtain any supplies en route.
Stages. Miles.
1. Small brackish pool
7
2. Bir Gabajib (brackish well)
31
3. Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Didi (well) ...
49
4. Qishlaq al Muhaifir (brackish well)
55
5. Sukhnah (wells and springs)
81
6 . Erek (stagnant water holes)
... 101
7. Tadmur (well)
... 119
8 . Ain al Baidha (large well)
... 138
9. Qaryatain (16 to 20 wells)
... 180
10. Khan Nasiriyah (well)
... 213
11. Otnah (large water tank)
... 217
12 . Damascus ...
... 253
(3) HIT-ANAH. (91 miles.) General direction north
west. The road leads for the greater part across the desert,
touching the river at long intervals. It is ordinarily practicable
for field artillery, L. A. M. B. cars and motor transport, but
during the wet weather considerable difficulty would be
experienced by heavier forms of transport in the low-lying
portions of the road such as those between Khan Baghdadi
and Fuhaimiyah.
Water. —Water can normally only be obtained where the
road touches the river, but is also available during the rainy
season from wadis crossed by the road when it deviates from
the river side.
Supplies .—Difficulty in obtaining grain, but fruit and
vegetables usually available. Sheep can be had from the
tribes.
Fuel .—Scarce.
Grazing .—Near the road limited, but further afield usually
plentiful in the winter months.
Stages. Miles.
1. Khan Baghdadi ... ... ... ... 23
2. Alus 40
3. Hadithah ... ... ... ... ... 50
4. Fuhaimah ... ... ... ... ... 70
5. Anah ... ... ... ... ... 91