In India we are accustomed to despise the camel transport

TCD MS 10515 folio 71v

TCD MS 10515 folio 71v

[May 4th 1916]

animals they are good, but the carts are quite out of place. The camels are wonderful; they are the ideal type of transport under these conditions. In India we are accustomed to despise the camel transport as being unable to move at more than 2 1/2 miles an hour, but the Arabian animal, though of slighter build, steps out in long strides and easily keeps pace with our infantry.

The march was 15 miles, but trying as the sun was, for almost the whole time, screened behind heavy clouds, and a cool, fresh breeze blew gently from the river. Could we but hide that sun every day we might march to any distance.

A lamelli beetle almost blinded me with a discharge of acrid fluid, and a beautiful flock of pelicans