WITH VIEW TO FLANKING ENEMY’S POSITION IN RUHUNGU HILLS Patrol undertaken to investigate country on east flank out to the track crossing from Massimbani to Legero, which is well behind the German position. Patrol left Makindu at 4 a.m. on the 1st of August, 1916, and returned to Makindu 3 p.m. on the 3rd of August, 1916. Our southerly direction, from point of setting out, was held on a bearing of 160 degrees throughout the advance to Massimbani track. The distance, reckoned by time, from starting-point to Massimbani track is about twelve miles. The distance to intermediate grass track crossing from Mssente to Ruhungu is about 4¼ miles. The first seven miles is good and fast-going for vehicle road through open forest—little forest cutting should be necessary, and no grading. The last five miles of the total distance passes through some parts of less open forest, and some timber felling will be necessary in places. In this locality a few narrow “islands” of dense bush—lying east and west—will be encountered, but these may always be evaded by keeping round their western extremities. No rivers, or soft river-beds were encountered; throughout the surface soil is dry and hard. Where the Mssente track was crossed, the bearing on to the Ruhungu position was 260 degrees. Said bearing follows down an open grass valley which is unobstructed by forest and in full view of Ruhungu hills. The mountain range appeared close at the Mssente track, at most some two to four miles distant, but the range viewed from the Massimbani track appeared far off, and as if viewed from a lower level. By eye I judged the distance here to be eight to ten miles, and later, sketching out the course of the patrol, I find it to be 8½ miles. The impression given me, and this is borne out, was that in avoiding Massimbani village we were very wide of the hills and the enemy’s line of communication to his positions in front. In regard to this I might state that, after crossing over the Mssente track about a mile, a bearing of 5 degrees to 7 degrees would draw in more closely to the mountain foothills, and might have better results. From the Massimbani track a long, fairly low range of hills was apparent in the distance, tailing off south beyond the prominent peak of Kanga (elevation 3,280 ft.). The Mssente track was a mere path in the grass and had no appearance of being much in use. The broad Massimbani track is apparently one of long standing, and had appearance of being much used by the enemy, though no movement was observed while for some hours we lay hidden on watch. There was no telephone line on the Massimbani track.