IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3310

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 October 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/17/5/3309. The volume covers many topics and events, but mostly relates to:

• Matters relating to railway traffic and construction
• Operation reports concerning north western Persia [Iran], as well as correspondence with the General Officer Commanding, Bushire [Bushehr]
• Intelligence about the situation in Azerbaijan, the Caucasus and the Caspian Sea regions
• Discussions about Armenian troops, including: updates on status and activities; intelligence provided by them; and their relationship with Allied troops
• Status of affairs in southern Kurdistan
• Matters relating to personnel, including: appointments, temporary promotions, pay, leave, training, and demand across departments
• Matters relating to the General Wilfrid Malleson Mission in Transcaspia [historic region in Central Asia, also rendered in text as Trans-caspia]
• Formation of the Urmia Brigade [also rendered in text as Urumiyah Brigade], including details of pay and training
• Lists of sick and wounded soldiers
• Turkish [Ottoman] forces: locations; movements; estimated strengths; commanders; evacuations from Persia; and distributions for week ending 22 October (ff 181-183) and week ending 29 October (ff 271-274)
• Shipping statements
• Matters relating to the North Persian Force
• Intelligence regarding German attitudes to proposed peace terms, as well as the movements of German officers and detachments
• Data on supplies used by Force D, collected with a view to reducing demand on India
• Discussions about proposed peace and armistice terms
• Plans relating to demobilisation and administration in Mesopotamia, including development and management of: cultivation and agriculture; banking facilities; post offices; judicial matters; post-war garrisons; Basrah [Basra] port; and commercial policies
• Currency provision in Persia
• Royal Air Force reports
• Operation reports from General Officer Commanding, Force D, on: Taq [also rendered in text as Tauq]; South Persia; advances up the Tigris; Turkish forces on Jebel Hamrin [Jabal Hamrin]; raids on Turkish communications on the Shergat-Mosul road [Ash Sharqat-Mosul]; and the British capture of Kerkouk [Kirkuk]
• Reinforcements and labour requirements for Force D
• Responses to points raised by the Mesopotamia Commission report
• Matters relating to the Dunsterforce, including relations with Colonel Lazar Bicharakov [Bicherakov, also rendered in text as Bicharakoff]
• Kasvin [Qazvin] Mission
• British occupations of Ahram and Tazah Khurmatlu [Tazah Khurmatu]
• Discussions about the remits of and relationship between the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, and the General Officer Commanding, Force D
• Supplies provided by the Red Cross
• Proposals to create an independent ‘Armenian State Khurdish Confederate’ free from Turkish influence
• Discussions of policy regarding ‘outlaw’ Khans [Khāns] of the Bushire hinterland
• Allegations against ‘Anglo-Indian troops’ in Turkestan [historic region in Central Asia, also rendered in text as Turkistan] and subsequent action of the Turkestan Union
• Instructions provided to Lieutenant-Colonel Molesworth, Assistant Director-General of Military Works, in his role as Liaison Officer between Army Headquarters, India, and the forces in Persia and Mesopotamia (ff 190-192).

The volume also contains:

• Distribution of troops on 21 September (ff 8-30), 5 October (ff 259-267), and 28 September (ff 287-297)
• Statements showing strength of the different contingents serving with Force D as of 21 September (ff 95-98) and 7 September (ff 98-112)
• Monthly distribution report of motor vehicles in service with Force D on 1 September (ff 113-134)
• Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia, Persia, and Turkestan on 20 October (ff 135-138) and 27 October (ff 235-237)
• ‘Detailed statement of ration strength of Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force on 14th September 1918’ (ff 151-157)
• Appreciation on the situation in Trans-Caspia by Frederic Thesiger, Viceroy (ff 207-208)
• ‘Report by the Financial Adviser on the Persian Currency question’ (ff 219-221).

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