IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3277

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 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/17/5/3276. The volume concerns:

• Appreciations [reports] and intelligence summaries from the Directorate of Military Operations
• Two diaries of information from 20 April 1917 and 21 April 1917 covering: floods; inland water transport; Red Cross launches; the convalescent depot at Amarah [al-Amarah]; aviation; medical affairs; war gifts to Mesopotamia; and judicial administration in the Occupied Territories of Iraq
• A description of the events leading up to the capture of Samarra
• Reinforcements for Force D
• The ammunition supply
• Movements of Turkish [Ottoman] and Russian troops
• Plan for the administration of Baghdad and Basrah [Basra]
• Reports from the Royal Flying Corps of machines in service and pilots available
• Provision and movements of river craft
• Progress reports on railway constructions
• Lists of sick and wounded
• Replacement of Egyptian labourers in Mesopotamia by Indian Labour Corps divisions or Prisoners of War
• Punitive measures against tribesmen near Samarra
• The strength of the Yazidis
• Information concerning relations between Turks and Russians, including information that an armistice was arranged
• The health of drafts sent to India for despatch to Mesopotamia.

The following tables appear:

• Troops and tonnage carried up and down the Tigris and arrival and discharge of vessels at Basrah on folios 7-9 and 96-97
• Ration strength of Force D on folios 41-44, 57-59, and 107-110
• Distribution of the Turkish Army on folios 88-89 and 151-152
• Strength of Force D on folios 116-130.