File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎97v] (203/834)

in that direction, and the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Hisb runs parallel at no great
distance. Therefore, the south bank may prove to be the best
going.
As regards the region to the west of the Khar, there is an
80-100 mile stretch of unknown country ; but I believe the
‘ Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. an ’ and its hill-country to be quite separate from the Khar
region. Probably the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Arar marks the end of the rough
country of deep-cut wadis, and stony hills typical of the Wadian
territory. South of the Arar Leachman records ‘grassy plains’
merging into the Ab-el-Kur depression, but beyond this he comes
to the rough Guraiyat tract with ‘ an irregular surface, and the
going very bad,’ a region of ‘disintegrated limestone with many
inequalities and low hills.’ This changed to typical stony
‘ Hajara ’ before reaching the Khar.
From the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Khar to Jauf the best line may be had via
Hazil, keeping in a line due west from the latter watering, along
the Hajara between the Nefud edge and the rough Guraiyat
tract. But a better line may be to take off from the Khar west
of Samit and strike south-west in order to get into the easy country
lying to the south of the Arar, and north of the Guraiyat.
There is apparently a recognised route between Jauf and
Nejef, passing along the course of the Ab el-Kur direct to Samit.
Musil was actually making for Samit, when he altered his plans,
and turned north, across the Ab-el-Kur to the Arar. Euting
records the waterings between Jauf and Meshed Ali as Hazil,
Sebeika, Raheimeh.”
ARABIA.
North-West.
Intelligence.
{a) r lhe attack on Jurf el-Derwish.
Colonel Joyce sends further details of the fighting at Jurf
el-Derwish station, reported on page 15. The Beni Sakhr under
Sherif Nasir numbered about 500, and were reinforced by Nuri
Bey Said with one company of mounted infantry, four machine
guns, one mountain gun, two demolition detachments about fifty
strong, and a small French contingent with Hotchkiss automatic
rifles. ^ 1 his force attacked the station on January 12 . The
demolition parties during the night had cut the railway line north
and south of the station, and a position was occupied by a section
of the mounted troops before dawn, about 700 yards from the
I inkisli position. At dawn the mountain gun and two machine
guns opened fire on the Turks and took them completely by
surprise. They replied with ineffective fire from a mountain
^ n ‘i j. 16 . jab mounted troops then advanced, supported by
a 1 the Beni Sakhr, and the Turks retreated on the station
abandoning their gun and machine guns.