Coll 6/88 'Intelligence: Military Report on Arabia (C.B. 1892).' [‎28r] (60/133)

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LfT
Telegraph connects HODEIDA to SAN’A, which in turn is in communication with the
bigger towns in the YEMEN, also through SHEIKH SAYED by a cable to PERIM, and so
to the Eastern Telegraph Co.’s cable system (1936).
Cable
None.
(12) Defences
The defences of HODEIDA are of a primitive nature In about 1932 the Yemeni Govern
ment erected a chain of small towers round the town on the landward side. Further towers
are placed on RAS KETHIB peninsula, one on the hill 26 ft. high and another near the northern
end on the 52-ft. hill [see Chart No. 14). These towers are strongly built of brick and command
the surrounding low lying country, but owing to the fact that they leave the only good water
supply unprotected, their tactical value is small. The fort to the southward of the town
is in fair repair and is reported to contain four old held guns, which form the saluting battery.
Local Garrison
Appears to vary considerably in strength. The local levy is ill equipped, with old rifles,
but there is always a small number of troops from SAN’A present, who are as a rule equipped
with modern rides in good condition. Strength, say, 300 all told.
(13) Reconnaissance
In considering suitable landing places for troops, the prevailing weather conditions must
be taken into account. During the summer months troops could be landed at any time on
the coast immediately to the north and south of the town. Apart from the rocks lying off
KIDF AL MANE AH AH, there are no navigational dangers for boats. The beaches are
sandy and gently sloping, and immediately inshore the ground is hat and even.
If the defending force were sufficiently strong to prevent a landing in the immediate
neighbourhood of the town, the most suitable landing beach would be that immediately to
the south-east of KIDF AL MANLAHAH. Here the ground affords little cover, but by
occupying the hill 20 ft. high, on which stands a tower, a commanding view and held of hre
would be obtained over the low sand hills further inshore. The emergency landing ground
or floatplane lagoon would at the same time be secured for refuelling co-operating aircraft.
An alternative landing could be made to the southward of the fort, and the high ground
abreast the beach occupied.
In winter continuous communication with the shore could only be guaranteed in the
neighbourhood of RAS KETHIB anchorage. Troops operating • against HODEIDA could
be landed on the sandy beaches to the northward of DJEBANAH, where it is reported there
are fresh water wells. Alternative landing could be made at RAS KETHIB, and an advance
made along the isthmus supported from seaward. Although this isthmus is liable to inundation
during strong south-westerly winds, it is said never to become completely impassable. The
disused railway shown on Chart No. 14 does not now exist.
JEDDA
(Lat. 21° 29' N„ Long. 39° 11' E.)
(See Plan 22 and Admiralty Chart 2599.)
(1) General Remarks
JEDDA is the principal port of the kingdom of SA’UDI-ARABIA, but, in common
with the whole of the Hedjaz, it derives its main revenue from the annual pilgrimage to
MECCA. Anchorage is available for large ships over an area about half-a-mile wide and
2 • 0 miles long in depths between 5 and 20 fathoms in outer anchorage, between the two outer
lines of reefs, while smaller ships, destroyers or sloops, may proceed to the inner anchorage,
and so lie about 1 mile from the town.
JEDDA is administered by a Governor, and a military garrison is maintained.
(2) Port Facilities
All ships calling at Jedda must either moor in the inner harbour or, if of over 18 ft. draught,
must anchor in the outer harbour. The inner anchorage is about 14 miles from the shore
and the outer harbour about 3 miles. All transport between ship and shore must be done by
craft of less than 3 ft. draught, in order to be able to negotiate the reef channels. There
are about 150 dhows and about 12 small motor launches suitable for this work.