IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3299

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 May 1918. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, memoranda, and tables. An index to the contents of this volume and a summary of the contents can be found at folios 3-35.

The volume concerns:

• Military personnel issues, including reinforcements, promotions, demobilization plans, and rewards for performance
• Supply of food, construction materials, animals, ammunition, and other items to Force D
• Arrivals to and departures from the port of Basra
• River and railway traffic in Mesopotamia
• Railway construction in Mesopotamia
• A report on the performance of the 49th Bengal Infantry
• Proposals for ‘reducing expenditure’ on shipping between India and Mesopotamia
• Discussion of British strategic priorities in Mesopotamia
• Intelligence concerning Turkish [Ottoman] military actions in the Caucasus and Persia [Iran]
• Matters relating to Dunsterforce, including the movements of Dunsterforce and the formation of an Armoured Car unit
• The occupation of Kerkouk [Kirkuk] by Force D
• Pursuit of Turkish forces following the capture of Kerkouk
• Force D’s withdrawal from Kerkouk
• The occupation of Tauq [Tawuq]
• Matters relating to the British blockade of Najaf following the killing of a British officer, including the surrender of the town and the arrest of ‘mal-contents and ringleaders’
• Aerial bombing of camps near Fathah [Al Fathah], Erbil, and Altun Keupri [Altun Kupri].

The volume also contains:

• Distribution and composition of Force D including details of lines of communication and commanding officers (ff 36- 49)
• Distribution of Force D including details of lines of communication, 6 April 1918 (ff 150-165), 13 April 1918 (ff 165-180), and 20 April 1918 (ff 328-339)
• Ammunition held and used by Force D, 26 April 1918 (f 52) and 3 May 1918 (ff 276-278)
• Ration strength of Force D on 30 March 1918 (ff 136-140), 13 April 1918 (ff 219-223), and 20 April 1918 (ff 342-345)
• Detailed statements of ration strength of Force D on 9 March 1918 (ff 141-147), 23 March 1918 (ff 205-210), 30 March 1918 (ff 244-250), and 6 April 1918 (ff 381-386)
• Strength returns of Force D dated 2 March 1918 (ff 61- 73), 9 March 1918 (ff 74-99), 16 March 1918 (ff 251-273), 23 March 1918 (ff 123-125), 6 April 1918 (ff 202-204), 13 April 1918 (ff 340-342), and 20 April 1918 (ff 147-149)
• Statement of Animal Transport held by Force D, dated 1 March 1918 (ff 101-111)
• Statement of Animal and Mechanical Transport held by Force D, dated 1 March 1918 (ff 300-311)
• Report of number of pilots and aircraft available for service in Mesopotamia, 2 May 1918 (f 127) and 9 May 1918 (f 352)
• Distribution of the Turkish Army, 7 May 1918 (ff 231-233) and 14 May 1918 (ff 408-409)
• War establishment for an Armoured Motor Car unit (ff 238-242)
• Weekly return of sick and wounded for the weeks ending 13 April 1918 (ff 288-290) and 20 April 1918 (ff 406-407)
• Names, designation letters, and classes of new battalions created by Force D (ff 295-296).