"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٣‎٣‎٥] (٥٤٢/٣٤٤)

ROUTES 19 a, b (i-iii)
336
N. to the Mudalll on the S. never dries up. But N. and S. of this
permanent swamp more or less practicable land-routes can be found
in the dry season, the best of which appear to be : Kumeit—Kut
el-Hai (iii), 'Ali el-Grharbi—Kut el-Hai (vi), and Sheik Sa'ad-—Kut
el-Hai (vii). According to reports, there is no land-route worthy of
consideration S. of Kumeit. It has proved impossible to find a
through water-route except by going down to the Hammar Lake and
up the Nahr Beidha (see p. 185).
On all the routes given below there is an absence of landmarks
and defined tracks, which renders 'the march of a column in water
less country dependent on guides and on compass bearings and
distances taken off maps of questionable accuracy '.
All these routes, for the greater part of their course, are badly
supplied with water.
The authorities throughout, except for the first part of route (iii),
are Arab reports. Distances are very uncertain.
(i) Kumeit—Karadi (75 m. ?)
Follow route (iii) to Sadrauiyeh. or Baghailat, 20 m. From
Sadraniyeh to Karadi a dry road was reported in May 1916: it
appears, however, that owing to lack of water marches beyond
Sadraniyeh would be too long for any but mounted troops. The
total distance of 75 m. is from an Arab estimate : it is probably
somewhat exaggerated.
(ii) Kumeit—Qal'at es-Sikkar (73 m. ?)
Follow route (iii) to Sadraniyeh. or Baghailat (20 m.).
From Sadraniyeh a route runs to Qal'at es -Si &kar via Hach-
chamat' (Hachaima ?) wells : it is doubtful whether it is passable
for wheels. Marches from Sadraniyeh would be too long for any but
mounted troops. The total distance of 73 m. is from an Arab
estimate: it is probably somewhat exaggerated.
(iii) Kumeit—Kut el-Hai (50 -55 m. ?)
This route apparently becomes passable in July or August. In the
h.w. season Sadraniyeh or Baghailat can be reached by boat, but
there is no through water-route. Some bridging would apparently
be needed for wheels on the S. bank of the Dujeileh (see route
below, m. 6 and m. 8), and perhaps also on the N. bank.
Water can always be obtained from the Dujeileh (or from the
marsh to N.) as far as Siderat ; after that there is none until Khor
Umm Uateibeh is reached. Grazing is good on both banks of the
Dujeileh to Sadraniyeh or Baghailat: after that there is none until