"دراسة نقدية عن الحملة في ميسوبوتاميا حتى أبريل ١٩١٧: الجزء I - تقرير" [و‎‎٣‎٨] (٤٢٤/٨٠)

57
ly important tactical position. High Wall is, in fact the ruins of an
old city wall. As it stands at present, it forms 2 sides of a rectangle:
the sides running about S. W. and S. E. from the point of junction. The
former is about 800 yards long : the latter 600. The height varies from
20 to 25 feet. In a flat country, such as is Mesopotamia, this givea
very good observation. From High Wall, the trenches run for 1 mile
in a N. N. E. direction to the redoubt, named by us Water or Delamain
redoubt. This redoubt is on a very small mound, only 3 or 4 feet above
the surrounding country. Thence the fire trench continues to the V.P.
redoubts, a distance of SjOOO yards. V. P. or Vital Point consists of
two mounds some 20 feet high, and about 300 yards apart.
This was the left of the Turkish front line. It was a strong
position, constructed for all round defence. Between High Wall and the
river, and between the former and Water redoubt and V. P. were other
and smaller redoubts. These were also dug for all round defence. They
were protected by wire and formed small bastions from the main line.
Behind the front line, some 2 miles distant, was a second line. Accord
ing to Turkish accounts this was not fully dug and we could find little
trace of it. It seems to have run in a N. N. E. direction, covering the
bend of the river at Bawi. In our accounts of the battle, we claim to*
have arrived at a point from 300 to 600 yards distant from the Turkish
2nd line. Doubtless we were that distance from the Turks who were
holding up our advance. It seems doubtful whether we were within 1
mile of the Turkish second line.
Three miles from Y. P. was an old canal embankment running roughly
north and south.
Between the two positions and near the river was the famous Arch of
Ctesiphon with a village near it on the river bank : and the village and
tomb of Suliman Pak. This latter was the tomb of one of the companions
of the Prophet and so was held in veneration by Mahomedans, many
graves surrounding the place. One hundred yards to the south of the
Arch was a mound, named by us Gurkha mound. This was held by us
throughout the second day and night of the battle.
The Diyala joins the Tigris about 6 miles in rear of the Turkish 2nd
position.
The ground in front of the 1st line from High Wall to V. P. was quite
open. Occasionally there was a belt of desert grass reaching up to about
the knees : but within 5 or 600 yards of the position, there was no grass.
There was consequently an excellent field of fire. The trenches were
well sited and not easily visible. It was noticeable, however, that the
Turkish trenches were not so well designed, as those we encountered
later in the campaign. The traverses were poor.
The Turks had a boat bridge just up stream of their 2nd position.
There was also another bridge near the mouth of the Diyala.