IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3297

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 April 1918. 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 3-18 and a synopsis can be found at folio 19. The volume mostly relates to:

• Reinforcements and labour requirements of Force D
• Temporary staff appointments and promotions
• Supplies for Force D, including: rations, clothing, vans, ammunition, weapons, fodder, fuel, and animals
• Turkish [Ottoman] forces: intelligence; movements of commanders; and distribution for week ending 2 April (ff 58-59) and week ending 9 April (ff 157-158)
• Prisoners of war
• Lists of sick and wounded soldiers
• Details about the Dunsterforce, including: updates; movements; intelligence sharing; communications with Russian commanders; and the financial relationship with Force D
• Updates from the Euphrates front, including discussion of how troops along the Euphrates should be organised
• Discussions about a proposed occupation of Ispahan [Isfahan]
• Discussions about supplying guns to the Ilkhani [I̅l-Khānī] to help him ‘deal with’ the Kuhgilu [Kūh Gīlū] tribe, and wider discussions about the Bakhtiaris [Bakhtiyārī, tribe]
• Details of tonnage [amounts of cargo] transported on ships and issues with shipping of goods
• Changes in organisation and formation of different units, most notably the: Cavalry Division; Supply and Transport Directorate; and Directorate of Labour
• Proposals for work on the agriculture and irrigation systems in Mesopotamia, including resources required and expected expenditure
• Activity at Hamadan
• Reorganisation and withdrawal of personnel to meet demands elsewhere
• Railway and port traffic reports
• Updates from Kermanshah
• Railways construction progress, as well as materials required and transported for railway construction
• Operations in Najaf, including intelligence concerning German troops
• Complaints by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf regarding a shortage of political officers
• Financial matters relating to Force D and occupied territories
• Sharing of intelligence between the Foreign Office, the Government of India, and Force D
• Aviation reports
• Brief update from Major-General Henry Freeland, Chairman of the Mesopotamian Transport Commission
• Difficulties maintaining a force in Persia [Iran] due to transport limitations.

The volume also contains:

• Distribution of Force D, including details of the lines of communication administration, as well as names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders (ff 20-36)
• Statement showing strength of the different contingents serving with Force D as of 2 March (ff 65-67), 9 March (ff 207-209), 2 February (ff 231-243), and 9 February (ff 244-256)
• Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia and Persia on 7 April (ff 117-118) and 15 April (ff 261-262)
• Distribution of troops on 9 March (ff 123-131) and 16 March (ff 132-141)
• Note by Empire Cotton Growing Committee on cotton cultivation in Mesopotamia (ff 179-180).

Whilst the volume contains copies of earlier material dating from January 1918 onwards, the bulk of the material dates from April 1918.