File 4613/1919 Pt 7 'Mesopotamia: Land for Military Cantonments' [‎156r] (125/135)

3.
Two new sites were accordingly selected below BAGHDAD
to be connected by a bridge of boats worked by Army Troops
Bridging Train.
^^ ^ HINAIDI, where embanlonents to a much lesser
degree already existed sufficiently to protect from
flood and where land was very cheap. Available for
a Cavalry Brigade, certain Army Troops and depots.
Already in occupation is part of the Advanced Base.
Good training ground near. 10 miles below Baghdad.
(b) At DAURA opposite HINAIDI with four miles of
river front facing the summer breeze. Good training
ground, almost above high flood level, cheaper than
CHALDARI 8 miles below BAGHDAD. A site far pleasanter
and cooler than any others in vicinity. To accommod
ate a Division less one Brigade, all schools and
Central Ordnance and Supply depot.
9. The question of water supply was governed by the fact
that over 100,000 Troops have drunk the filtered Tigris Water for
2 -g- years in this vicinity without injury, and that water could
be brought from above KAZILMAIN (12 miles) above BAGHDAD and all
its suburbs, or from the Diala (6 miles) at some future period.
10. The sites were found particularly healthy and free from
malaria.
1 ] , These facts were communicated to you in the following
telegrams:-Q.2535 of 5th June 1919 and Q 3208 of 28th
July 1919-
12. In my telegram number Q, 495 of 14th September 1919,
I informed you that the cost of DAURA about ten square mi^es
would be at worst £500,000 and probably less, and at HIiTAIDI
i
£ 132,000 for about five square miles and I urged that these sites
would cost far more in a year or so, as they can now be
5