"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎١‎٩‎٧] (٥٤٢/٢٠٦)

(JoT)
ROUTES 3, 4
197
THE TIGEIS VALLEY
EOUTE 4
KURNA—AMAEA (71 m.)
Authorities-. —Information from various sources, principally Force ' D' Route
Report, no. 1, January 1916, and Force ' D' Survey Maps 47, 49,
No information has been available for this handbook of a later
date than the end of 1915 as to any improvements made on this
route. At that time it was impassable for all arms in the flood
season (March-June) and after heavy rain, and from about m. 11 to
m. 16| it was impassable for guns except in the driest part of the
year (September-January). The remainder of the route, with
improved bridging, could be made passable for all arms during the
whole of the dry season. Going is generally rough. Of the
numerous canals and water-cuts, the larger were crossed by
temporary wooden bridges, but these required strengthening for
continuous traffic. Approaches to the smaller cuts had been im
proved. Water is good and plentiful from the Tigris and creeks.
Some supplies can be obtained at most of the villages, and some
grazing and fuel are found along the route. A T.L. (two wires on
tubular iron posts) follows the route.
The Route Reports and maps referred to above are not in exact
agreement throughout, as will appear from the itinerary below.
Miles from
Kurna.
o
2i?
Kurna. Leave in a N. direction, following the general
direction of the Tigris, at first on its r. (W.) bank.
Sandy track, easy going. Country to W. is covered
with thick grass, and difficult for all arms. Villages are
mostly of reed huts, with a few mud houses.
Pass Nuheirat, with date gardens.
Cross creek, empty in dry season, 10 yds. wide and 5 ft.
deep in flood.
Pass Norfolk Hill, 15 ft. high, on r.
Cross Barbukh. Creek, 4 ft. deep in dry season, by trestle
bridge 20 yds. long. Route traverses Barbukh. tract.
Cross creek 2-4 ft. deep by single-trestle bridge.
Pass Bahran (or Abu Aran) village ; towers on higher
ground to NW.