IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3271

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 28 February 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 IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3270. The volume concerns:

• Appreciations [reports] and intelligence summaries from the Directorate of Military Operations
• Two diaries of information from 3 February 1917 and 10 February 1917 covering: climate and floods; sanitary reforms in Ashar, Basrah [Basra]; the history of Engineer Field Park, IEF D; The Young Men’s Christian Association in Mesopotamia; Port administration and river conservancy; Inland Water Transport; the Egyptian Labour Corps; Medical concerns; Aviation; Prisoners of War; captions of photographs sent to the Chief of the General Staff, India
• The death of the Sheikh of Koweit [Kuwait] and the succession of Sheikh Salim Bin Mubarak [Shaikh Sālim bin Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ]
• Reinforcements and labour requirements for Force D
• British control of the Dahra Bend
• Communications between river stations
• Health and morale of Turkish [Ottoman] troops
• Ammunition supplies
• Cooking arrangements for the 3rd Brahmans [Brahmins]
• British attacks on the Sannaiyat [As Sina‘yat] position
• The crossing of the Tigris at Shumran [Ash Shumrani]
• Retreat of the Turkish army and the British pursuit
• Supply of meat, including frozen meat
• Military, medical, and food supplies
• Reports from the Royal Flying Corps of machines in service and pilots available
• Provision and movements of river craft.

The following tables appear:

• A fixed programme of transport sailings on folios 31-32
• The numbers of sick and wounded on folios 39-41 and 110
• Ration strength of Force D on folios 42-44, 74-77, 94-95, and 155-158
• The strength of Force D on folios 78-93
• Distribution of Force D on folios 135-139
• Distribution of the Turkish army on folios 55-64 and 143-153.