IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3287

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 November 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, tables, memoranda, and letters.

The volume concerns:

• Reinforcements for Force D, including horses, medical officers, railway staff, and machine gunners
• The appointment of officers in Force D
• The supply of food, ordnance, clothing, oil, and other items to Force D
• Scheduling of supply shipments from India to Basrah [Basra]
• The supply of agricultural equipment for a ‘cultivation scheme’
• Recruitment of railway workers from Malaysia and Siam [Thailand] for service in Mesopotamia
• Report from the Royal Flying Corps of machines and pilots available for service in Mesopotamia
• Plans for the construction of flour mills at Baghdad
• Construction and improvement of railways in Mesopotamia
• British aerial bombardment of an aerodrome at Kifri, and Turkish [Ottoman] army camps at Fathah [Al-Fathah]
• British attacks on Turkish positions near Daur [Ad-Dawr] on 2 November 1917, and at Tekrit on 5 November 1917
• Intelligence concerning the movement of German and Turkish military units in Mesopotamia, including the arrival of German aviation units
• Intelligence acquired from captured enemy deserters, including estimates of Turkish troop numbers, plans made by German and Turkish commanders, and supply shortages within the Turkish Army
• Intelligence reports on formation of a ‘special Intelligence service’ by the Turkish and German militaries, including names and assignments of suspected enemy agents
• Discussion of the treatment of Russian subjects captured while serving as part of the Turkish Army
• British Indian citizens found guilty of ‘waging war’ or ‘abetting in the waging of war against His Britannic Majesty’ and sentenced to death or transportation
• Matters relating to Russia, including: Russian reluctance to send more troops to Mesopotamia; the arrival of a Russian air squadron at Mendali [Mandali]; news of a ‘counter revolution in Petrograd [Saint Petersburg]’ received 9 November 1917
• Skirmishes between German and Persian [Iranian] troops at Turshiz [Kashmar]
• Dispatch of British troops from Ahwaz [Ahvaz, Iran] to ‘quell disturbances’ in Shushtar
• A diary of information dated 20 October 1917, covering climate data and the customs, language, and attitudes of the Kurdish population of Hakkiari [Hakkari, a mountainous region spanning modern Iraq and Turkey].

The volume also contains:

• Distribution and composition of Force D, including details of: lines of communication; general organisation; unit locations; and names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders (ff 3-4)
• Distribution of Force D on 14 October 1917 (ff 71-76)
• Ration strength of Force D on 29 September 1917 (ff 62-69), 13 October 1917 (ff 30-34), and October 20 (ff 153-157)
• Detailed ration strength of Force D on 6 October 1917 (ff 163-170)
• Weekly returns of sick and wounded dated 13 October 1917 (ff 18-19), 20 October 1917 (ff 58-59), and 27 October 1917 (ff 145-146)
• Statement of tonnage received from India during September 1917 (ff 196-198)
• Distribution of the Turkish Army for the week ending 6 November 1917 (ff 94-96) and 13 November 1917 (ff 244-246)
• State of supplies in stock and at sea as of 3 November 1917 (ff 107-108), 10 November 1917 (ff 250-251).