IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3253

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 16 and 31 May 1916. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: letters, telegrams, notes, tables, and memoranda.

A summary of the contents of this volume can be found at the start of IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3252. The volume concerns:

• Appreciations [reports] and intelligence summaries from the Directorate of Military Operations
• Considerations of supplies needed, including food and clothing for winter 1916
• Reports of future arrivals of German and Austrian troops
• The movement of Turkish [Ottoman] troops
• Requests for aeroplanes, pilots, and anti-aircraft guns
• Movements of Russian troops under General Baratoff [Nikolai Nikolaevich Baratov], including the occupation of Kasr-i-Shirin [Qasr-e Shirin] and action at Hamrala
• The construction of railways, including the Qurneh-Amarah [al-Qurnah to al-Kut] Railway
• The provision of river craft
• Awards and medals given to British and Russian soldiers
• Outbreaks of cholera and distribution of a cholera vaccine
• Complaints of shortcomings in accounting leading to delays in soldiers being paid.

The following tables appear:

• The distribution of Turkish forces in Mesopotamia on folio 54
• The strength of Force D on 23 April 1916 on folios 29-30 and on 15 May 1916 on folios 57-59
• Changes in the distribution of the troops in Force D from the list of 14 May 1916 on folios 93-94.