File 756/1917 Pt 1 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 1 to 65’ [‎525r] (1054/1240)

InteUitjence.
King Husein is sending back the Amarat messengers with
replies to I bn Hadhdhal and I bn Mijlad, in which he states that
the Arabs and the British are one and urges all the former to
render the latter every assistance in their power. He desired
that Colonel Wilson should add similar letters under his own
hand, but instructions were sent to the latter not to comply, it
being doubtful what construction might be put by independent
Arabs on such statements and exhortations signed by a British
representative.
From more than one source we have been informed that the
Turks are reinforcing the artillery of their Hejaz Expeditionary
Force, which suffered rather severely at Bir el-Mashi. It is
hoped that operations against the railway may, at least, delay
these reinforcements. On May 16 one of our planes Hew over
el-Ala and bombed the station buildings and also a freight-train,
which started for the south on seeing its danger. The enemy
garrison appeared to have decreased since the end of April.
Spasmodic raids on the line continue in the Muadhdliam
neighbourhood and the enemy is reported to be running short of
rails, bolts, nuts, etc. We are informed that the 129th Regiment,
after being depleted to make up the companies of two battalions
of the 55th which remain at Bir el-Mashi, has been withdrawn
north to guard the railway. Colonel Newcombe, who has
continued to encounter great difficulties with his following of
Bedouins and Bishawa in prosecuting attacks on the line, has
been to Jiddah and to Cairo. Colonel Wilson has gone to Wejh
to decide the question of transferring the R.F.C. flight to Yambo.
If the transference is made, it is hoped to establish an advance
flying base a,t Bir Abbas, and a landing ground near Bir
el-Mashi ; but it is very doubtful whether communication by
car can be established between the former and Yambo. [Later
advices state that, for the present, the flight will remain at
Wejh.]
Some useful information has been given by Ramadan Eff.,
an Arab Officer, who deserted about May o from neai Medina.
He was O.C. Camel Corps there, and had ‘been much trusted by
Fakhri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. . He is a Bedu by birth, from Deir el-Zor district,
his father being a sheikh. He and his brother, with sons of
other Bedu sheikhs, were educated at the Stambul Military
School.
(1 ).—Turkish Forces.
55th Regiment. One battalion, Manjur.
' Two battalions, Medina to Hadiyah on
railway.