IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3300

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 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 in IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3299.

The volume concerns:

• Military personnel issues, including reinforcements, recruitment, and leave
• Arrivals to and departures from the port of Basra
• Railway construction in Mesopotamia
• Supply of animals, food, tents, construction materials, vehicles, and other items to Force D
• British propaganda in Mesopotamia
• Discussion of the potential for recruiting Assyrians and Nestorians in Persia [Iran] for military service
• Matters relating to Dunsterforce, including: Dunsterforce’s movements; recruitment of Persian levies; and operations to suppress anti-British forces in Persia
• British interactions with Russian officers in Persia, including payment of money to maintain Russian troops, and attempts to prevent a Russian general returning to Persia
• Aerial bombardment of Fathah [Al Fathah] and Humr [Al Humr]
• The creation of a Directorate for Irrigation in Mesopotamia
• Intelligence concerning the movement of Turkish units in Mesopotamia and Persia
• Intelligence concerning the arrival of German soldiers, vehicles, and weapons at Constantinople [Istanbul]
• Intelligence concerning Turkish and German intelligence operations, including the German role in inciting the ‘rebellion’ in Najaf
• British financial support for pro-British Persian politicians
• Activities of the South Persia Rifles
• Discussions of British military strategy in the Middle East, including the shift in focus away from Mesopotamia and towards Persia
• Railway traffic in Mesopotamia
• Force D’s withdrawal from Kerkouk [Kirkuk]
• A summary of recent bombing raids and aerial combat, written for the Press Association
• Text of a speech given by General William Marshall in Baghdad to mark Empire Day (f 266).

The volume also contains:

• Strength returns of Force D dated 30 March 1918 (ff 14-22, ff 45-66), 6 April 1918 (ff 89-102), 13 April 1918 (ff 236-246), 20 April 1918 (ff 23-24), and 27 April 1918 (ff 126-128)
• Distribution of Force D including details of lines of communication, 27 April 1918 (ff 141-150)
• Ration strength of Force D on 27 April 1918 (ff 67-69) and 4 May 1918 (ff 134-137)
• Detailed statements of ration strength of Force D on 13 April 1918 (ff 103-107) and 20 April 1918 (ff 179-183)
• Report of number of pilots and aircraft available for service in Mesopotamia, 16 May 1918 (ff 35-36), 23 May 1918 (f 154), and 30 May 1918 (f 274)
• Weekly return of sick and wounded for the week ending 27 April 1918 (f 84)
• Distribution of the Turkish Army, 21 May 1918 (ff 112-113) and 28 May 1918 (ff 215-223)
• Ammunition held and used by Force D, 17 May 1918 (ff 128-129) and 24 May (f 250)
• Lists of captured food supplies (ff 231-232).