An emergency South Western Railway (SWR) timetable came into force on September 5, in response to the shrinkage of clay embankments on the nine miles between Gillingham and Tisbury. The shrinkage has been caused by the driest summer since 1936, with a severe 40mph speed restriction having to be imposed.

The 'winability' of a case, cost etc, appear to be major factors in the DPP's decision as to whether or not a case will go to court.

However, this was a shallow field of operations, whereas in Banija and Kordun it was significantly deeper, and there were problems there.

So confident was he that he ignored the warning of his two British advisers to post pickets to watch the river, and even withdrew those they had placed there.