IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3280

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 1 and 15 July 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, letters, tables, and memoranda, containing instructions and reports.

An index to the contents of this volume can be found at folios 3-13 and a summary of the contents can be found at folio 14. The volume mostly relates to:

• Reinforcements and labour requirements of Force D
• Supplies for Force D, including: coal, animals, river craft, fodder, land transport, rations, weapons, ammunition, and timber
• Lists of sick and wounded soldiers
• Staff appointments and recruitment processes
• Updates from the Euphrates line, especially at Sinn-al-Zibban [Qaryat Sinn adh Dhibban]
• Plans to cut Turkish [Ottoman] telegraph lines
• Turkish forces: movements; intelligence from deserters; potential financial difficulties; and distributions for week ending 12 July (ff 146-147)
• Russo-Turkish operations near Bistan [Bestane], Penjvin [Baynjiwayn] and in the Caucasus region
• Discussions about the suitability of locomotive engines supplied by the Federate Malay States
• Reports on railway and river traffic, as well as on railway construction
• Discussions about the responsibility and functions of the Financial Adviser to the General Officer Commanding, Force D, and about financial administration of Force D in general
• Reports from the Royal Flying Corps
• Discussions about the establishment of a Civil Administration in Mesopotamia, especially at Baghdad, and how that body would work with Her Majesty’s Government and the General Officer Commanding, Force D
• Discussions about reinforcements required for Force D to hold their position in the Baghdad Vilayet and the implications of this regarding other troops potentially being sent to Egypt
• Intelligence regarding a conference at Aleppo, attended by high-level German and Turkish military commanders, concerning a potential offensive on the Syrian and Mesopotamian fronts
• Potential for Russian troops to withdraw from Northern Persia [Iran]
• Intelligence about the status and plans of Turkish and German troops in Baalbek, Syria, Palestine, and Mesopotamia.

The volume also contains:

• Distribution and composition of Force D, including details of: lines of communication units; general organisation; units captured at Kut-al-Amarah [Al-Kut]; and names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders (ff 15-34)
• Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia on 1 July (ff 40-41), 8 July (ff 118-119), and 15 July (ff 217-220)
• Distribution of troops for Force D on 3 June (f 50) and 17 June (ff 135-139)
• Two diaries of information from 9 June (ff 70-78) and 16 June (ff 181-192) covering: climate and floods; aviation; inland water transport; local produce; medical affairs; and river conservancy matters
• Joint report (ff 198-201) by Messrs Keatinge, Langer and Angell, regarding outstanding indents [official orders for goods], in response to a note by the Chief Store-keeper, Mesopotamian Railway. The report is forwarded with comments by Thomas Ryan, Secretary, Indian Munitions Board (ff 196-198).

Whilst the volume contains copies of earlier material dating from April 1917 onwards, the bulk of the material dates from July 1917.