IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3304

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 1918. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, memoranda, tables, and letters, containing instructions and reports.

An index to the contents of this volume can be found at IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3303. The volume covers many topics and events, but mostly relates to:

• Personnel and reinforcement requirements of Force D, especially plans to raise half a million combatants
• Matters relating to staff: appointments, pay grades, training, and leave
• Creation and re-organisation of different units within Force D
• Matters relating to railways construction
• Details of tonnage [amounts of cargo] transported on railways and rivers
• Intelligence relating to Turkish [Ottoman] and German forces, including distributions of the Turkish forces on week ending 16 July (ff 8-17), week ending 23 July (ff 212-221), and week ending 30 July (ff 357-365)
• Progress and efficiency of the Dunsterforce
• Administration of personnel and supplies between Mesopotamia, Persia [Iran], and India
• Matters relating to oil fields in Mesopotamia and Persia, especially regarding the Anglo-Persian Oil Company
• Discussions of the different Russian armies and their potential impact on British operations
• Updates on events in: the Caucasus region; the Caspian Sea region, especially at Baku; and in Trans-Caspia [historic region in Central Asia]
• Updates from General Wilfrid Malleson in Meshed [Mashhad], including his communications with the Turkistan Union
• Matters relating to the administration of British-occupied territory in Mesopotamia, including development of British trade
• Intelligence on Turko-German relations
• British relations with the Bakhtiari [Bakhtiyārī, also rendered as Bukhtiari in text] tribe
• Lists of sick and wounded soldiers
• Prisoners of war and deserters
• Matters relating to wireless systems, including interception of Turkish and German communications
• Intelligence on and discussions about political situations in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
• Intelligence on political and military activity at Constantinople [Istanbul]
• Action between British troops and Jangalis [Jangalīs] at Resht [Rasht].

The volume also contains:

• Detailed statements of ration strength of Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force on 15 June (ff 21-25), 22 June (ff 224-229), and 29 June (ff 313-318)
• Statements showing strength of the different contingents serving with Force D as of 22 June (ff 40-42), 15 June (ff 243-256), and 29 June (ff 282-283)
• Monthly distribution report of motor vehicles in service with Force D on 1 June (ff 44-63)
• Strength of Force D in June (ff 64-87)
• Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia and Persia on 22 July (ff 142-144) and on 29 July (ff 330-332)
• Proposals for a new establishment to be sanctioned for the railways in Mesopotamia by Brigadier-General Guy Lubbock, Director of Railways, Force D (ff 151-180), including data on railways and with comments from the General Officer Commanding, Force D (ff 150-151)
• Distribution of Force D troops on 22 June (ff 181-191), 29 June (ff 192-202), and 6 July (ff 333-344).