'Military Lessons of the Arab Rebellion in Palestine 1936' [‎50v] (105/294)

Management of donkeys
On first arrival donkeys were found to be temperamental and, in
the absence of their native boys, took a little time to get used to
soldier drivers# A few days’ training however soon produced satisfactory
results and, though boys were usually required to look after the
donkeys when not in use, it was necessary to have soldiers available
who v/ere used to them to lead them on operations. Similarly it was
found that the donkeys disliked their M.T. until they had had a few
quiet runs in the lorries, when most of them began to enjoy it and gave
little trouble in getting in and out.
Their normal ration was six gallons of water and up to ten pounds
of forage a day, though in the field they often did quite well on
seven pounds. The local custom was to feed them in the early morning,
late afternoon, and last thing at night, the feed being three parts
tibbin (chopped straw) to one part barley. In camp waste products from
the cookhouse were a welcome addition.
Loading donkeys in M.T.
For transport purposes the smaller donkeys were preferable, as they
could be lifted bodily into the lorries and six men could load a lorry
with half a dozen donkeys in about 15 minutes, whereas the bigger
animals had to be loaded by ramp -and required much patience and pushing.
The following rough drill was evolved for the loading and off
loading of donkeys, the team consisting of an N.C.O. and six men, the
vehicle a 30-cwt Morris, and the load eight saddled donkeys. Apparatus
required was:-
2 Long Pickets.
2 Spare ropes, 10 yds.
50 Sand Bags.
4 Ropes, 10 yds.
Some forage.
These are used to fill the gap
between floor and tailboards.
To prevent slipping on floor of
lorry.
Improvised breast harness and )
breeching )
To secure donkeys inside
the lorry.
thev ^ j a: - i -v T? r lorry making fast the donkeys as
t a ii w .? 4 .v, n ? .^ n , ^ 4, 5, 6. 1 and 2 secure donkeys head to
in -Dositin-n Ga 5 1X ^ reas,t harness and breeching to hold them
The remain in cr f ■ paoS a ro ^ e over ^he backs to prevent them jumping out.
sides? g nUmberS mea ™ hile ^cure the pack boxes to the lorry
6 »>- '* 01
RAIL IRARSPOPT
It was not often possible tn no<=> n
and its principal value was as a 11 M llw f y for tactical purposes,
was however a notable exception'to f - 0 °™ miCation t0 Egypt - There
the neighbourhood of the Jerusalem L?df v ^ ° aSe ° f 0 P erations in
oerusaiem-Lydda line. Here the railway ran for
44816-1