TCD MS 10515 folio 111 recto
spreading over the camping ground in an inundating flood. We made vain attempts to close the breach; by building an accessing dam of brushwood bound together with earth. Whole regiments with hundreds of Arabs were put to the work, but it was soon evident that nothing could stay this rush of water; it eroded the banks and swept away every load of earth as fast as we deposited it. The floods had conquered; by evening the camping ground would be deep in water and the problem became not the protection of our camp but the saving of the town of Nasiriyah. There was no questions about us. We had to quit.
With so much bustle, but little confusion, we struck camp. Transport arrived within a few hours. Everything was hastily loaded; we