"دراسة نقدية عن الحملة في ميسوبوتاميا حتى أبريل ١٩١٧: الجزء I - تقرير" [ظ‎‎١‎١‎٨] (٤٢٤/٢٤١)

196
'" ite —
Emplacements were usually thrown well forward. Both arms of
the depression were effectively swept by machine gun fire.
Communication trea- (5) Communication trenches were of two
ones. types.
(«) Between front and support tienoto, one every 200 y.rrb, oitier
6d«p g.^ 6 . of coyer)i or ^ 4 , ^ ^ ^
parapets on both sides, to form ' switch' hues
(b) From support line back to the rear. The length of these is remark-
back fr0m the SU PP ort line ' 111 several cases for over a
mile, to the deep cover of Nasafiya Canal, where presumably main reserves
were kept. These could thus reinforce any point necessary.
They were deep, roomy, and well dug.
(6) Dug-out cover for animals behind Support line was provided,
but this seemed to be usually close to batteries (see below); mav be
lor their animals only.
Artillery. ^ ® x t rem el7 forward positions of guns.
Often within 300—400 yards of front infantry line.
(b)Generous provision of alternative emplacements and batterv
positions.
(c) Provision of double set of emplacements at right angles to one
another in positions where a big switch might be advantageous.
All along the eastern row of mounds at Sinn Abtar elevated positions
have been prepared, carefully revetted with burnt brick and having a
good ramp leading up to them. These positions are within 250 yards of
front line trenches. Between the two rows of mounds are many alter-^
native sets of 4 emplacements, well dug and linked by supervision
trenches, etc.; and many more sets facing in various directions have
been constructed in the belt of ground from 100 yards to 1 mile
immediately west of the main Sinn position, but, mostly close to it,
i.e., well forward.
(d) Good and plentiful 0. Ps„
Careful and deep digging, and provision of good supervision trenches..
Deep dug-outs for ammunition, personnel and often teams also in com
paratively close proximity.
In addition to the many artificial mounds with dug-outs, steel plates,
etc., in various places, there are also on Dujaila Sinn Abtar and Sinn
Banks examples of excellent O. Ps. with overhead cover, very incon-^
spicuous, and with deep covered ways back and down to Officers' dug
outs (roofed), telephone rooms, etc., excavated in rear face of mound.
(e) Communication trenches from battery positions to main com
munication or other trenches leading to O. Ps.