IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3269

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 January 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: letters, telegrams, notes, reports, tables, and memoranda. An index to the contents of this volume and a summary of the contents can be found at the start of IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3268. The volume concerns:

• The question of allowing British and Indian journalists to visit Mesopotamia
• The movements of Turkish [Ottoman] forces
• The supply of equipment (e.g. weapons and ammunition), food, and transport for Force D
• Reports from the fronts on the Tigris and Euphrates, the Russo-Turkish front in the Caucasus, and southern Persia [Iran]; including military actions at Kut-al-Amarah [Kut], Hai [Al-Hayy], and elsewhere on the Tigris
• Transfers of vessels from India for use in Mesopotamia, including river craft for Inland Water Transport, hospital ships, and dredgers
• Combat and non-combat reinforcements and relief for Force D from India, Egypt, and Singapore, in particular Labour Corps and logistics personnel
• Engineering projects including: railway construction, with a report from the Director of Railways dated 24 December 1916 including statistics and a map (ff 60-80); port construction; and land reclamation
• Telegraphic links between Mesopotamia and India via Persia
• A report from General Officer Commanding Force D to the Government of India on relations of Mesopotamian tribes with British and Turkish forces, also covering developments in Persia and the Arabian Peninsula, dated 25 December 1916 (ff 16-19)
• The movements and strength of Turkish forces, including intelligence from deserters
• An report by the Medical Advisory Committee and recommendations for sanitary measures, dated November 1916 (f 29)
• Aerial operations, including bombardment of the Baghdad Citadel
• The military and political situation in Persia, including the safety of roads for the movement of British intelligence agents
• The need for artillery reinforcements for Force D
• Debates around policy in the Arabian Peninsula; relations with Nejd [Najd] and Hail
• A proposal to form Labour and Porter Corps from military prisoners in India
• A Turkish mission to the Shia clergy at Kerbela [Karbala] and attempts to incite Indian Muslims against British rule
• Medical affairs, including the provision of ambulance trains
• Prisoners of war and captured materiel
• A request from the Shaikh of Muhammareh [Khorramshahr] for a loan.

The following tables appear:

• Ammunition available and expended in Mesopotamia as of 13 January 1917 (f 10)
• Statistics relating to aircraft and aerial operations (f 24, ff 109-112, f 118)
• Distribution of the Turkish Army (covering Europe, the Dardanelles, Syria, the Caucasus, Mesopotamia and Turkish-occupied western Persia, and the Arabian Peninsula) in the weeks ending 23 January 1917 (ff 47-49) and 30 January 1917 (ff 143-145)
• Distribution of British forces on the Tigris, Euphrates, and southern Persian fronts on 7 January 1917 (ff 55-59)
• Railway statistics (f 39, ff 66-78, f 129)
• River transport statistics (f 39, ff 44-55, ff 83-84, ff 106-107, f 141)
• Shipping statistics (ff 53-54, f 85, ff 92-94, f 108, ff 149-150)
• Approximate statistics for letters in various languages passing through the Censor’s Office (f 89)
• Marching stages between Basrah and Sheikh Saad [Shaikh Sa’d] (f 91)
• Ration strength of Force D on 31 December 1916 (ff 96-98) and 7 January 1917 (ff 151-153)
• Casualty statistics for December 1916 (ff 116-118, ff 120-122) .

The volume also includes:

• A map of railways in Mesopotamia (f 79)
• ‘Diary of Information’ No. 32 dated 6 January 1917, covering issues including: climate and flooding in Mesopotamia; the Remount Establishment for horses at Basrah; Inland Water Transport report for the week ending 2 December 1916; the Censor’s Office, detailing censorship of the press and correspondence; a description of a march up the Tigris; Port Administration and River Conservancy report for November 1916; and Prisoners of War (ff 81-94)
• ‘Diary of Information’ No. 33 dated 13 January 1917, covering issues including: climate and flooding; the history of the Engineer Field Park between October 1914 and June 1916; Inland Water Transport report for the week ending 9 December 1916; aerial operations; and prisoners of war (ff 103-113).