Is it not more probable that they will withdraw

TCD MS 10515 folio 67r

TCD MS 10515 folio 67r

[May 2nd 1916]

unexpected; it opens many possibilities; it may affect the peace of our summer at Nasiriyah. The route down the Shatt-el-hai is now open to the enemy who hold the junction with the Tigris at Kut. The question seems to be; can they dare to advance their line further South with the Russians threatening them in rear? Is it not more probable that they will withdraw, rather than advance their spare troops, in order to defend their long precarious line of communication?

Last night the heavy rain had converted our camp into a quagmire quite impassable for our transport camels. The unfortunate animals, even when loaded were helpless on this slippy surface. The surrounding desert, being more sandy and porous than the adhesive clay of the