"تقرير عسكري وكتاب مسارات. الأقطار العربية المطلة على الخليج الفارسي. ١٩٣٩" [ظ‎‎١‎٤‎٢] (٣٢٨/٢٨٤)

248
of each. More could be collected at longer notice
There is no wheeled transport outside Muscat or
Matrah.
6. Grazing. Except during the first two stages, where
grazing is scanty, there is good grazing throughout the
route at all seasons.
7. Obstacles. —The only real obstacle is encountered
during the first stage of the route, consisting of the
mountain range that has to be crossed between Muscat and
Matrah. The gradients at this point are steep, and the
track precipitious. The only other obstacles are the loose
surfaced wadi beds that are constantly being encount
ered, making passage difficult for heavily loaded vehicles^
8. Camping and Landing Grounds. —There are landing
grounds at Beit Al Felaj and Sohar. Apart from these
two points there are no other possible areas, except a
patch between Abu Nahail and Birkah, at about mile 49
where an emergency landing ground could be made by
clearing away some soft stemmed shrubs.
Similarly the route does not lend itself to camping
grounds. Dependent upon the size of the force to be
accommodated, choice would have to be made between the
sea shore and the open ground inland of the palm belt,
ihe former would be nearer to the towns, and the latter
more suitable for larger forces. The site should be chosen
aecess^to wells'! t0 • " n0t ^ " Wadi bed £or ^
availa C brrrnareTam^ 0 Sf t meanS H 0f c0, ? mm i ca " 0tt
messengers sailing craft, or by camel or donkey
in ^L^lr a i~ Tll | . main tactical Problems are involved
Z npL' St f a ^ betwe ^ Muscat and Boshar. It would
Matrah To H P lc Q ue t the hills all along the valley from
ZncTnl rt \ tf ; enSUre the safet y of a column ad-
on either Ll f +1 g comman ded by the mountains,
make an nrlv / greater portion of the way, would
After entering ■R 0 !" ni i! m0st: vulnera ble to an attack,
track nins nrri B ^nah, except for the fact that the
blems thp rnn f 0n f ^ P a ^ ms ' there no tactical pro-
Diems, the country being fiat throughout.