IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3309

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

An index to the contents of this volume can be found at folios 3-7. The volume mostly relates to:

• Ration and ammunition supplies for Force D
• Turkish [Ottoman] forces: movements; intelligence from deserters and intelligence agents; possible advance on Teheran [Tehran]; possible conclusion of peace; changes in command; reported massacre of Armenians at Baku; possible plans to form a ‘Mahommedan [Islamic] state’ in Caucasus region
• Discussions about armistices and possible conclusions of peace with Turkey
• Content of a protocol signed by Germany and Turkey
• Intentions of the Azarbaijan [Azerbaijan] Government
• Proposals and reports concerning Georgia, as well as the wider Caspian and Caucasus regions
• Railway and port traffic reports
• Lenkoran Mission
• Lack of shipping facilities at Abaden [Abadan]
• Reports on the situation in Persia [Iran] by the General Officer Commanding, Force D, and the Special Commissioner, Teheran
• Operations along the Tigris
• Matters relating to the port at Basrah [Basra]
• Proposals for a Musketry school at Baghdad
• Matters relating to the Dunsterforce
• Discussions about propaganda in Mesopotamia, as well as Persia and the Persian Gulf
• Discussions about the administration of Mesopotamia
• Railways construction progress
• Returns of personnel strength across numerous departments
• Concerns regarding Colonel Lazar Bicharakov [Bicherakov, also rendered in text as Bicharakoff]
• Suggestions and reports made by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf on numerous matters, including: the Jewish community in Mesopotamia; Mr Roux, French Consul at Basrah; and a proposed Commercial Mission
• Intelligence provided by Harry St John Philby regarding: the arms traffic from the Hedjaz [Al-Hijaz]; relations with Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān Āl Sa’ūd] and Ibn Rashid [Saʿūd bin ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl Rashīd, Emir of Ha‘il]; and a recent attack on Khorma
• Updates from the Mianeh area
• Lists of sick and wounded soldiers
• Information regarding German troops at Elezabotopol [Elisabethpol, former governorate under the Russian Empire].

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