'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎65r] (134/470)

a recurrence of the trouble and had to abandon the project, and the tour, extending to about a week,
was done by Lieut. White. The Qusur, consisting of a line of desert outposts to the westward of
Najaf, was formerly under the P.0. Desert, but had now been ordered by the Civil Commissioner to
form part of Shamiyah area. Full information regarding the posts is given in Lieut. White’s road report
At the reading of the Peace Proclamation the Shabanah paraded at"Najaf and Kufah along with the
British Regiment, and created a good impression with their steadiness on parade. They were also on
parade on the notable occasion when some 2,000 tribesmen and Saiyids from Shamiyah Division rode
into Najaf to present their congratulations to P.O. Shamiyah on the occasion of the Peace with
Turkey.
At the end of November we had a total strength of all ranks over the Division of 526, including
Municipal Police; this number did not include the Shabanah on the Qusur. The Duties and Posts
which we had to find in this month ran away with over 350 of the above number, the balance available
for parade, about 170 men, being divided round our three markaz—Kufah, Abu Sukhair and Umm al
BaTur. We have a good deal of wastage through sickness, and in addition have got to allow about
6 to 7 per cent, of strength leave of absence to visit their homes each month.
December has brought us all outstanding indents of clothing and equipment, and we are now
probably the best clothed Shabanah Division in the country. The warm jerseys which we have been
fortunate in getting right at the commencement of the cold weather have been much appreciated; the
same applies to the sheepskin poshteens, which have been obtained locally, and which were most
necessary to a Division such as ours with our heavy guard duties. As equipment we have received
the M.S. bandolier, which is a great improvement on the variegated cartridges carriers which our men
formerly had to provide at their own expense. The haversack provided is also excellent, the Indian
followers’ pattern with an extraordinary carrying capacity. On 12th December we had the honour
of being inspected by the Civil Commissioner, when we paraded some 90 strong, all of Kufah head
quarters. The Civil Commissioner saw the men perform arm and company drill, and expressed himself
as well satisfied with the progress, we had made. We finish the year some 520 strong, which will be
increased to 580 when thp Qusur Shabanah are taken over.
Our sanctioned establishment, with the Qusur included, is just short of 800, but at present rate of
recruiting it will be a considerable time ere this number is reached. The heavy wave of recruiting
which we had in October and November appears to have spent itself, and now the few recruits, who
come in are only sufficient to balance the wastage we have through physical unfitness. Later on, when
Departments’ demands for labour are lighter, we shall no doubt have quite an influx of good recruits;
but at present many of the class from whom we would get recruits in the ordinary course are employed
by I.W.T. Irrigation, Resources, etc., and making very excellent wages for not a very onerous
day’s work.
Shaikh ‘Alwan of the Bani Hasan has promised us 50 of his people for piada, also a number of
sowars and a young man of shaikhly family as an officer; but, so far, these have not materialised.
We have every reason to be satisfied with the progress made in these first four months, especially
in Headquarters: the men are already of the standard in drill and efficiency of a useful militia. In
Abu Sukhair also we have a very smart and contented detachment. Captain Lyell, A.P.O., Abu
Sukhair, has been of the greatest assistance to us, both in his interest in the men’s welfare and in their
discipline.
At Umm al Ba’rur we have not advanced as rapidly, this markaz being our newest, and also being
handicapped through having to find so many district posts, some 85 men being required for these
duties constantly. Drill is, however, going on steadily, and the men being brought up to the “ Pass ”
standard as quickly as we can get them in; this is, of necessity, slow, as we have insufficient numbers
to relieve each post periodically.
In my opinion, formed on what I have seen of the force both in Hillah Najaf and Shamiyah, the
Shabanah is in every way encouraging : the men are quickwitted, learn drill easily, and are amenable to
discipline.
The ideal system for the running of a Division of Shabanah would be that at present in vogue in
Hillah Shabanah, i.e., having a strength sufficient to allow of about one-half of the men being in
Headquarters each month for a stiff and comprehensive course of training, while the other half are on
posts. The two halves being changed over each month, this would ensure that every man does his
six months of training each year. Each Division should have sufficient B.O.s and B.O.R.s to make
'constant inspection of posts possible, as well as having sufficient staff in Headquarters to make training
efficient.
A present weakness of the Shabanah is the Arab officer. With a few notable exceptions, we have not
got the class of man one would wish to see as an officer, and, even having got him, the present system of
teaching one’s officer his duties in front of the men he has afterwards got to command is undesirable.
The remedy would be a central Training School for Arab officers, where the officer would go through the
mill as a nafour, and afterwards get a thorough grounding in his duties as an officer.
Before concluding this report I wish to place on record my sense of obligation to Mr. Wingate,
Political Officer, Shamiyah, Najaf, who has at all times been sympathetic, indefatigable in his efforts
to help us.
Statistics regarding current expenditure and Budget for New Year follow.
(Signed) Wm. McWhinnie, Lieut., A.P.O.,
Officer Commanding Shamiyah Shabanah.