IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3259

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/17/5/3258. The volume concerns:

• Appreciations [reports] and intelligence summaries from the Directorate of Military Operations
• Arrangements for machine gun companies
• The construction of railways, including consideration of gauges and provision of refrigerator cars
• The provision of river craft and general transport ships
• A discussion of suitable ship design and building sites
• Exchanges of sick prisoners of war, Turkish [Ottoman] officials, and British women and children
• Arrangements for sick leave for British troops
• The possibility of a Turkish advance in Persia [Iran]
• The movement of Russian troops and distribution of Turkish troops
• The replacement of draught horses with mules
• Artillery requirements in Mesopotamia.

The following tables appear:

• River craft for general, medical, aviation, port work, survey, and dredging purposes, and craft sunk in transit on folios 3-12
• Distribution of troops on 6 August 1916 on folios 18-20.