TCD MS 10515 folio 39v
[April 27th 1916]has been more fruitful than the published reports would have us believe. A desperate effort is being made, or by now must have made, to run a vessel loaded with provisions, through to Kut; but to ram and break across a bridge of boats, run the gauntlet of a fierce enemy fire from either bank is in truth a dangerous hazard, a last dash in desperation. We are preparing for our ten days march, we will be cut down to the minimum of kit and half the usual allowance of tentage. We hope to arrange for the remainder of our baggage to reach us later by river on a “mahela”.
Friday: April 28th 1916: Basra
Very busy all day preparing for the desert-march to Nasiriyah. We leave in the morning. Our arrangements