IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3316

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 January 1919. 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/17/5/3315. The volume mostly relates to:

• Sick and wounded soldiers
• Staff issues including appointments, leave, pay, and transport
• Arrangements for the Civil Administration in Mesopotamia, including: transfer of departments from military control; recruitment of civil servants; and development of trade and banking
• Matters relating to demobilisation, including: abolition of certain units; movement of troops out of Mesopotamia; disposal of surplus equipment and supplies; arrangements for soldiers wishing to continue service; modifications to vehicles and weapons used by Force D; and supplementary instructions for inclusion in the Demobilisation Orders, India (ff 208-210)
• Arrangements for a post-war garrison in Mesopotamia
• Matters relating to the construction of railways and roads
• Demand for personnel across multiple departments
• Matters relating to intelligence from wireless systems
• Discussions about the command of troops in north-western Persia [Iran] and the Caucasus region
• Prisoners of war
• Discussions about the role of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf [also referred to as the Political Resident, Baghdad] concerning affairs in southern Persia
• Details of animals currently used by Force D
• Minor details relating to the peace conference [Paris Peace Conference, 1919-1920]
• Intelligence regarding plans to establish committees to unite Moslem [Muslim] elements throughout the ‘Arab Provinces’ of the Turkish [Ottoman] Empire
• Proposals concerning grass and dairy farms in Mesopotamia
• Discussions about the future of the Survey service in Mesopotamia in post-war conditions
• Requests to submit nominations for the Staff College at Quetta
• Intelligence on the political activity of the ‘Young Turk’ party
• Plans for ejecting the Ottoman Government from Constantinople [Istanbul]
• Matters relating to published telegrams and propaganda
• Intelligence regarding Kurdistan.

The volume also contains:

• Monthly distribution report of motor vehicles in service with Force D on 1 November 1918 (ff 40-62)
• Monthly wastage [loss or destruction of animals] return for month ending 27 October 1918 (ff 63-66)
• Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia, Persia, and Turkestan [historic region in Central Asia, also rendered in text as Turkistan] on 20 January (ff 72-74) and 27 January (f 189)
• Statements showing strength of the different contingents serving with Force D as of 9 November 1918 (ff 78-88) and on 16 November 1918 (ff 99-110)
• Detailed statements of ration strength of Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force on 30 November 1918 (ff 89-96), 7 December 1918 (ff 151-155), and 14 December 1918 (ff 196-201)
• 'Weekly statement of river craft for Indian Expeditionary Force D', dated 23 January (ff 135-148)
• Statement of Animal Transport [types of animals and the vehicles they convey] for Force D for 24 November 1918 (ff 219-225)
• Monthly wastage [loss or destruction of animals] return for month ending 24 November 1918 (ff 226-229).

Whilst the volume contains copies of earlier material dating from October 1918 onwards, the bulk of the material dates from January 1919.