'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎188v] (381/470)

Regimental institutes consist of :—
At Headquarters :
Tailor’s shop (Arab) -
Veterinary lines : Arab veterinary assistant trained in
Rs. 100/- p. m.
Armourer’s shop : Arab armourer trained at Ordnance
Base depot - - -
Carpenter’s shop : Arab carpenter
local hospital -
80/- „
80/- „
Menial Establishment:
At Headquarters :
4 sweepers
4 watermen
1 coffee-man
at 25/- each
,,25/- „
„ 20 /- „
Syllabus and Training :
Recruits’ drill and manual exercise (dismounted).
Riding school (rudiments only).
Squadron drill.
Special course of musketry.
Terms of Service. —Six months, with the option of re-engaging as often as
desired.
Type of Recruit. —Entirely tribal, selections from the best men and families
of the district. A demand for so many men is sent in to the various Shaikhs, and
the latter supply them. At present each tribe of Nasiriyah and Gharraf has to
supply 10 men each.
Note. —The system of service is as nearly as possible that of the original Indian
Silladar cavalry. Each man provides his horse, his saddlery, and his horse’s feed.
He must have his horse passed by the O.C., before it is accepted. Afterwards he
may not change it without sanction of the O.C. All that the man receives from
Government is : uniform, rifle, equipment, and ammunition.
At present, the corps being in its infancy, not a very high standard of efficiency
is insisted upon. One’s idea is to popularise service in it. Too much discipline
does not suit the Arab, and at the commencement of things it would be a pity to
frighten the tribesmen off. As time progresses, discipline will be tightened up,
and I have every hope of the Muntafiq Horse eventually becoming the first recognised
Arab irregular cavalry in Mesopotamia.
In conclusion, I cannot speak too highly of the work done by Lieut. Hall,
Commanding Shabanahs. Originally a sergeant in the Queen’s, for the last three
years he has been untiring in his efforts to work up his men and make them efficient.
He has, I am glad to say, recently been rewarded by the grant of a commission.
He deserves much credit for his past work, and I have every hopes of his continuing
his good work and bringing his men up to that final standard of efficiency which is
expected of them.
Distribution. —Shatrah, 100 men (one squadron), finds two outposts : Suwaij, 10 ;
Dawaiyah, 10.
Qahat Sikar, 50 men (half squadron), finds one outpost: Karradi, 10 men.
Albu Hawalah, 5 men, outposts (fortified).
Albu Tabar, 5 men, outposts (fortified).
‘Asfuriyiyah, 10 men, outposts (fortified).
Safhah Railway Station, 15 men, outposts (fortified).
Tall al Muqaiyir Railway Station, 15 men, outposts (fortified).
The other 200 men remain at Nasiriyah for training; also act as a striking
force in the hands of the Political Officer or Assistant Political Officer, should such
be required.
B . Sug Shabanah Scouts (strength, 250).—Clothing and equipment is the
same as the Muntafiq Horse. The corps is dismounted, and does most of its work
in the marshes and among the more inaccessible tribes residing among them. All