IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3281

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 July 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, letters, 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/17/5/3280.

The volume concerns:

• Military personnel issues, including pay increases and recruitment
• Reinforcements for Force D
• The supply of food, vehicles, animals, construction materials, weapons, ammunition, and other items to Force D
• Discussions of a possible British advance beyond Baghdad, including logistical issues and the need for a coordinated Anglo-Russian offensive in Mesopotamia
• Discussions of the unreliability of Russian military support
• Railway construction in Mesopotamia
• Intelligence on the location of Turkish [Ottoman] and German units and commanders
• Intelligence regarding the movement of airplane engines and pilots to Mosul
• River and railway traffic in Mesopotamia
• Arrivals to and departures from the port of Basra
• Problems with the unloading of ships at Basra and proposals for the construction of a new port near the city
• Fighting between Turkish and Russian forces near Penjevin [Baynjiwayn], and the Russian withdrawal from the area
• Discussion of the creation of a French Consulate at Baghdad
• Russian plans for an offensive towards Mosul, under the command of General Baratov
• Discussion of a pan-Turanic organization’s pamphlet found in Medina, including a proposal by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to use this publication for ‘propaganda purposes’.

The volume also contains:

• Ration strength of Force D on 16 June 1917 (ff 13-16), 30 June 1917 (ff 49-50), and 7 July 1917 (ff 108-110)
• Distribution and composition of Force D including details of lines of communication, 24 June 1917 (ff 18-22), 1 July 1917 (ff 123-128), and 8 July 1917 (ff 194-198)
• Artillery rounds held and used by Force D, 15 July 1917 (f 26) and 22 July 1917 (f 121)
• Distribution of the Turkish Army, 17 July 1917 (ff 30-31), 24 July 1917 (ff 115-117), and 31 July 1917 (ff 202-203)
• Report of number of pilots and aircraft available for service in Mesopotamia, 19 July 1917 (f 66) and 26 July 1917 (f 152)
• Weekly return of sick and wounded for the week ending 30 June 1917 (ff 68-69) and 7 July 1917 (ff 176-177)
• Detailed statement of ration strength of Force D on 23 June 1917 (ff 73-76)
• Personnel received by the Director of Railways in June 1917 (ff 154-157)
• Two diaries of information from 23 June 1917 (ff 34-46) and 30 June 1917 (ff 80-89) covering: the climate of Mesopotamia; medical issues affecting Force D; a malarial survey of Baghdad; local produce purchased by Force D; river conditions in occupied Mesopotamia; activities of aircraft; and descriptions of Shia beliefs, history, and pilgrimages.