"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٣‎١‎٥] (٥٤٢/٣٢٤)

1 /
KOUTE 13 a
315
at a depth of 6-9 ft. below the surface. For Shabdeh wells see under
m 77
Grazing is to be had, for camels only, except at Khamlsiyeh.
For fuel, only brushwood in small quantities is available, except
near BarjisTyeh wood.
In hot weather a look-out should be kept for poisonous scorpions
or snakes, which are specially numerous at Gubashiyeh.
Miles from
Basra.
o
13
17
21
Basra. In April 1916 the best road from Makinamalsus
or Magil to Sha'aibeh Fort followed the railway embank
ment to the Basra—Zobeir road, and then turned along
that road towards the Sha'aibeh (or Zobeir) ridge. A de
pression (called the Old Bed of the Euphrates) is crossed.
The bed is soft, but in early April 1916 was passable for
Fiat lorries and A. T. carts. (When flooded, it cannot be
crossed by wheeled transport.) The road followed reached
the Sha'aibeh ridge, and at 1 m. from Zobeir turned
along the ridge to Sha'aibeh Fort. Surface conditions on
the first stage were reported in April 1916 to be very
variable, and it was recommended that the ground should
be reconnoitred the day before any march.
(It is not known how far the conditions described above
have been modified by later work: see pp. 386—386.)
Sha'aibeh. Fort. Good water: (i) well 100 yds. SW. of
the fort, 12 ft. in diameter, 26 ft. to water level, about
6 ft. of water ; supply of excellent quality sufficient for
a brigade ; (ii) well about 400 yds. the same capacity as (i):
it is worked by donkeys and is suitable for watering
animals ; (iii) well roughly 300 yds. NE. of fort, of about
the same size as (i) and (ii); the water in the well requires
frequent changing before it becomes fit for use even by
animals. Unlimited space for camping: some brush
wood for fuel, to supplement wood ration.
General direction from here to Shweibdah, WSW. Road
passable for all arms (in early April 1916 Fiat lorries
and A. T. carts passed over it: see also introduction).
Proceed SW. (225°) towards Barjislyeh wood.
Change direction to W. by N. (276°), following main
caravan track.
Shweibdah. It was reported in April 1916 that the
wells were small and shallow and that it was advisable
to dig larger ones N. of the caravan track, revetted on