"دراسة نقدية عن الحملة في ميسوبوتاميا حتى أبريل ١٩١٧: الجزء I - تقرير" [ظ‎‎٤‎٤] (٤٢٤/٩٣)

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Headquarters were separated from their commands, and units split up.
The result was that formations were hurriedly created, drafts being
thrown together into units, composite battalions formed of detach
ments regardless of incompatilibity of temperament, and staff and
commands hastily improvised.
With regard to Command, the lesson which had been so forcibly
impressed upon the Indian Corps in France had not been learnt in
Mesopotamia, i.e., the vital necessity of commands being in the hands
of comparatively young and physically fit men. This was even more im
portant under the conditions existing in Mesopotamia than in France,
where some relief and comfort could be obtained after periods of strain,
and where orders could generally be issued under comparatively favour
able conditions.
Many drafts arrived in the rain and hail of January clad in thin
khaki drill. There was a shortage of topees and
Clothing. blankets and indeed, at the front, of all clothing.
There was a great shortage of shell particularly of H.E. for
the guns. The troops from France, who formed
Munitions. ^ ina j or i t y 0 f the relief force, were armed with
rifles sighted to take Mark VII ammunition. Only Mark YI was
available in Mesopotamia. No bombs, grenades. Very lights or
periscopes were available. With all these the Turk was provided.
Means of communication were hopelessly inadequate. Not only
was there a shortage of Signal personnel and
Communications. formations but also of cable. Wireless was
only available for Corps Headquarters. Brigades and Battalions were
practically reduced to visual, which is extremely difficult in a flat
country especially in proximity to the enemy, or to runners, a waste
ful method and very slow in mud.
At the beginning of the year there were no maps worthy of the name,
nor even reconnaissance sketches of the area in which the operations
took place. Attempts were made to produce a rough half-inch map pieced
together from sketches made from the air or on the ground by staff
officers. But such reconnaissances were made under great difficulties,
on the ground because the activity of the Arabs necessitated very large
mounted escorts for reconnoitring officers, and even topographical infor
mation could seldom be obtained without fighting for it : from the air
because of the shortage of machines and the almost total absence of
trained observers. Air photography was unknown. It was not until
the middle of the summer that accurate maps began to be produced.
The shortcomings of the Medical Services are dealt with in the
Eeport of the Mesopotamia Commission. From
Medical. ^ point of view of the man at the front the
state of affairs was appalling. After the heavy fighting in January