'Report on the operations carried out in the southern desert in connection with the Iraq-Najd borders, November 1927-May 1928.' [‎14r] (27/66)

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3. On March 5th, an Armoured Train with one British Officer and about
30 Indian troops were based on Ur. Indian rations were supplied from
Basrah by rail.
4. In February, the Kuwait area became threatened, and it was necessary
to despatch a small Supply Section, in charge of one Officer, to Kuwait,
to cater for a small mixed column to operate therefrom. For supply this
Section was based upon Shaiba and Basra, the former for stocks seiit by
land transport, and the latter supplying Shaiba and for stocks sent by sea
transport. An issue of rum was approved for this part of the force,
otherwise subsistence was by the normal ration scale for the Command.
A naval ship being located at Kuwait for the major part of the period, bread
was obtained on re-payment from the Royal Navy, also drinking water.
On the departure of the ship from Kuwait, bread and ice were supplied
from Shaiba, and water purchased as required from the suppliers to the
town, who bring drinking water from the river at Fao to Kuwait every
summer, when the few wells at Kuwait practically dry up. Stocks of
dry rations, petrol, oil and stores were sent on three occasions to Kuwait
by the fortnightly slow Gulf mail steamer, by arrangement with the
Mesopotamia-Persia Corporation, who are Agents for the British India
Steam Navigation Company. Transfer of stocks from ship to store was
arranged with the Mudir of Customs, Kuwait. Empty containers were
used for building and domestic purposes, as many as possible were returned
to Shaiba by returning transport where a better sale price existed, and the
balance were disposed of at Kuwait to the best advantage.
5. The summer season beginning on March 1st, the issue of rum ceased.
An issue of lime juice was authorised in lieu. For Ur, and the columns
based thereon, arrangements were made for ice to be supplied by the
'Iraq Railways Catering Department and issues of ice were approved to
commence as from March 20th, an allowance also being authorised for
the Indian troops. Supply of ice to Kuwait presented a difficulty. The
original idea of placing an ice barge at Kuwait was found to be impracticable
and arrangements were made for ice to be supplied to Kuwait from Shaiba
by convoy transport. Scale of issues of ice to all operational units was
approved at double the normal scales. As from 26th April, owing to the
heat and the trying conditions, the scale of fresh fruit was doubled and the
scale of lime juice trebled for the personnel of the convoy operating from
Samawa.
6. At both Ur and Kuwait, arrangements were made with the Area
Manager, N.A.A.F.I., to establish a small institute, which proved a great
boon to the personnel of the force.
7. On May 16th, supply of fresh fruit became difficult. The between
season had commenced and nothing was available except soft fruits
which will not stand travel. Instructions were given on the advice of
the competent Medical Authority, for tinned fruit to be issued in lieu of
fresh fruit, and in addition an issue of concentrated orange juice at the
scale of J ounce per head per week.
8. On 23rd May, orders were given regarding the evacuation of Kuwait,
which was carried out by utilising the slow Gulf mail steamer returning
from Kuwait to Basra on the 28th May. Certain landing ground stocks
were left, otherwise all supply items returned to Base Supply Depot.
9. The foregoing gives a brief resume of Supply and Transport arrange
ments for the Akforce operations. Throughout the whole period, there
was no failure in supply at any point.