TCD MS 10516 folio 2 recto
9th July 1916: Nasiriyah: Continued direct from last Journal
hour the village and all it possessed was in ruins.
The women were then released. We returned to our ships unmolested, had an enjoyable breakfast, commandeered a passing bellum to take on board the captured cattle, and started off for Nasiriyah which we reached by 11.30 am. Thus we destroyed the village but the real offender escaped. No doubt the loss of his property will bring him to his senses and prevent others from following his example. The “mailed fist” is the one mode of punishment that can be exerted with real effect against people who live in a state of continual internecine war. My share of the loot was nil. The only object that attracted me was a small white cylindrical piece of clay that I