File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎227r] (462/834)

FEISAL’S ARMY IN EARLY JULY.
Colonel Joyce’s report, dated duly 13, throws light on the
escape of a part of the Mudowara garrison to Maan, and deals
with operations in the northern area from July 1 to July 11.
From it we learn that the premature return of the motor-gun
section and Indian machine-gun detachment from Hallat el-
Ammar (see p. 242) was due to faulty transport arrangements.
The Arab command had undertaken to send a convoy of rations
from Akaba, but failed to do so. Nevertheless, the cars kept the
field till the last day’s ration had been consumed. The attack
on Hallat el-Ainmar by the Beni Atiyah was carried out with
great dash. Without waiting for the ten-pounders to come into
action, they rushed the station at dawn, accounting for the entire
garrison of sixty-four at a cost of seven killed and eighteen
wounded. The following day, arrangements were made to
attack Bir Hurmas; but in the afternoon, the Beni Atiyah,
against the advice of Captain Scott-Higgins, declared their
intention to attack Dhat el-Haj. This plan, however, was also
abandoned, owing to shortage of rations, and it was decided to
send a part)' to Akaba for supplies and money. The motor-gun
section, immobilized during the Bedouins’ abortive discussions,
was compelled to return for supplies. Demolitions on the line,
which could have been carried out, were not effected. Under the
original scheme, it was intended to capture Bir Hurmas, and
thus gain possession of the whole section of the line between
the two stations, in order to utilise to the utmost the limited
supply of explosives. The damage actually effected has already
been recorded (see p. 242). The Beni Atiyah are remaining in
the el-Ayana district and further developments may be expected
in due course.
The air-raid on Maan on July 2, deserters report, did great
damage to the town, and the casualties among the garrison and
townspeople amounted to fifty. A sergeant of the Flying Corps
at Maan, who deserted to the Arabs, was heavily fired on by the
Turks whilst making his way to Semna, but escaped unhurt. He
reports that the supply of bombs is all but exhausted, and that
the Turks are endeavouring to substitute mountain-gun shells
with bomb actions.
The partially repaired bridge, wrecked by the Arabs on
July 4 ( see p. 244), is that crossing Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Hamman, about six
miles north of Jerdun. None of the previous demolitions in this
area had been repaired. Deserters are unanimous in testifying
to the disappointment of the Maan garrison at the arrival of only
three hundred and fifty men as a reinforcement. They had been
led to suppose that a force large enough to enable them to repair
the line, and even to take the offensive, would be sent; whereas
three hundred and fifty men scarcely made good casualties and
sick, to say nothing of desertions.