"دراسة نقدية عن الحملة في ميسوبوتاميا حتى أبريل ١٩١٧: الجزء I - تقرير" [ظ‎‎١‎١‎٥] (٤٢٤/٢٣٥)

192
The bulk of the troops were kept concentrated in the area bounded
hj Maqasis Canal-Dujaila Depression-Nasafiya Canal. These three chan
nels give excellent natural protection for men and animals which
was improved by the Turks. The canals are 20 to 25 feet wide and
give 10 feet of cover.
From this area troops could be moved rapidly to any required point
^either by prepared roads, or by the excellent system of deep communica
tions trenches (from 2,000 to 4,000 yards long).
It will be noticed that the majority of these lead to the sector
Sinn Abtar-Dujaila where our attack must have been considered most
probable.
In depth, there is only one series of works, the fire trenches of the
Arran ment second series, about a mile in rear of the first,
being only half complete, though many well dug
gun positions exist.
The front series, apart from the Abtar and Dujaila Redoubts, consists
of from 2 to 7 lines of trenches on a depth of 150 to 500 yards.
There is the beginning of a third series in the neighbourhood of
Maqasis.
On the morning of 8th March the Turkish dispositions are believed
to have been :—
Sinn Banks Section—104th Eegt. Sinn Abtar Section—103rd Eegt.
and Dujaila Section—105th Regt.—All of 35th Division. Each
Regiment about 800 strong, but the majority of each Regt. in
reserve at Maqasis : trenches held by picquets only.
At Maqasis (both banks)—General reserve consisting of the bulk of
35th Division:—
7th Regt. (of 51st Division), 5th and 6th Regts. (of 2nd Division).
Each Regiment about 1,500 strong.
There were at Shumran (on the left bank) about 1,500 rifles of the
52nd Division available as reinforcements and some battalions of various
divisions resting.
The total strength therefore actually in the position may have been
1,000 rifles ; immediately available at Maqasis some 5,000 more on the
right bank.
The fire trenches had been constructed at leisure, by daylight and
not under fire.
Their outstanding features are :—
(а) Inconspicuousness.
(б) Trace, ensuring flanking and cross-fire on all ground ahead.
(c) Design ensuring ample cover against artillery and enfilade.
(d) Provision of alternative position for guns and for infantry
conspicuous points had to be held for any reason.