IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3231

The volume contains a chronological list of brief summaries of papers relating to the activities of the Indian Expeditionary Force D (also known as the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force) between 1 and 30 April 1915. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: letters, telegrams, and memoranda containing instructions, reports and tables.

A summary of the contents of this volume can be found at folios 7-8, most of which relate to:

• Appreciations [reports] and intelligence summaries from the Directorate of Military Operations
• Details of reinforcements provided for Force D
• Attempts by the Turkish [Ottoman] forces to persuade ‘Arabs’ in Arabistan [Khuzestan] to join them for religious reasons
• Status of the Turkish forces at: Shaiba [Shu’aiba]; Zubair [Az Zubayr]; Ahwaz [Ahvaz]; Nakhailah; Suq-ash-Shuyukh; and in Arabistan
• Action at: Qurnah [Al Qurnah]; Shaiba; Ahwaz; and Barjisiyah [Al Barjisiyah]
• Changes in the command of Force D
• Updates on the Euphrates blockade and movements of the river craft
• Ordering of aeroplanes for Force D.

The volume also contains reports on the intentions and loyalties of third parties in Mesopotamia and Persia [Iran]. In addition, the volume includes details on the dispositions of both Force D and the Turkish Army, as well as supplies required by Force D.

A summary of contents for the previous volumes can be found at folios 3-6.

Multiple spellings for various place names are present in the volume.

The front cover of the volume contains a note that information on casualties can be found in a separate volume and that ‘trivial and mere routine matters are also omitted’ from this volume.