"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٣‎٣‎٠] (٥٤٢/٣٣٩)

330
LAND ROUTES
CONNEXIONS BETWEEN TIGEIS AND
EUPHEATES VALLEYS
EOUTE 19 a
NASIRIYEH—KUT EL-AMARA (121 m.)
Authorities:—Eoutes in Arabia, 1915, no. 198 (Report of 1915); E. Sachau, Am Euphrat j
und Tigris (Journey of 1898) ; Indian Degree Maps, 3 E, 3 I, 2 L ; Force 1 D'
Map Serial 79.
The stage from Nasirlyeh to Suweij is under water in normal
years during May, June, and July. When this is so, the flood may
be avoided by making a detour round the western margin of the
Butnijeh Lake. The rest of the route is reported by natives to be
dry throughout the year, but is much intersected by water-cuts, and
there seem to be marshes in the neighbourhood at least during the
spring.
There is no drinkable water to be obtained on the part of the route
between Nasirlyeh and Decha Suweij (said to be 25 m. in length,
though the distance in a direct line appears to be about 17 m.),
except by making a detour (which adds 2 or 3 m.) to El-Butnijeh,
and here from August till the first rains in December the water
is brackish and bad, though the Arabs say it can be drunk. If
practicable it would be safer to carry water for this stage. The
subsoil water is 13-16f ft. below the surface. From Suweij to Kut
there is no difficulty, as, even when the bed is dry, good water can
be had anywhere by digging from 3 to 6 ft.
Unless the Arab tribes are unfriendly, wheat, barley, straw, and
meat should be obtainable throughout by arrangement. But owing
to the uncertainty of the attitude of the Arab tribes no supplies can
be relied on.
For a movement northwards from Nasirlyeh, land-transport would
be necessary throughout. There are not many boats at Shatreh
normally (say some thirty small hell and ten large), and these
would probably be removed before troops could reach the town.