IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3323

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 30 June 1919. 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 can be found at folios 3-8.

The volume concerns:

• Supply of construction materials, firewood, and other items to Force D
• Disposal of surplus weaponry and animals, including transfers from Mesopotamia to India
• Arrangement of transport for leave, demobilization, and personnel transfers to India
• Railway construction in Mesopotamia
• Matters concerning the Kurdish uprising led by Sheikh Mahmud [Shaikh Maḥmūd Barzanjī], including: the movements of British units; reports of Kurds joining and leaving the uprising; fighting between British and Kurdish forces at ‘Bayzan Pass’ on 19 June 1919; the British capture of Suleimaniyeh [As Sulaymaniyah, also written as Sulimaniyah in the volume]; and British reprisals against Kurdish villages ‘where evidence of hostile action by inhabitants [is] clearly proved’
• Assessments by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf of the conditions in Kerbela [Karbala], Nejef [Najaf], Diwaniyeh [Al Diwaniyah], Hillah, and Suleimaniyeh
• A proposal from ‘Cherif Pasha’ [Şerif Pāshā] that the British should find a suitable Kurdish individual with 'European training' and establish them as leader of the Kurds in Mesopotamia
• Selling of weapons to the Persian [Iranian] Government by Force D
• Discussion of the gifting of weapons to Shaikh ‘Khazal’ of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr]
• Logistical issues affecting Force D’s supplying of units in Persia and the Caucasus
• A statement of the British Government’s position on Kurds in Mesopotamia
• British objections to the planned visit of the King-Crane Commission to the Middle East
• Intelligence concerning pan-Arab activities in Mesopotamia and Syria
• British censorship and suppression of Arab publications
• Preparations for a tour by Major Noel to assess ‘relative proportions of various races, feelings of local inhabitants, repatriation of refugees including Moslem [Muslim] refugees now in occupied territory, and connected questions’.

The volume also contains:

• Ration strength of Force D on 5 April 1919 (ff 12-14)
• Detailed statements of ration strength of Force D on 15 March 1919 (ff 39-43) and 22 March 1919 (ff 48-53)
• Strength return of Force D dated 10 May 1919 (ff 64-65)
• Ration strength of Force D on 31 May 1919 (f 74)
• Weekly return of sick and wounded for the week ending 17 May 1919 (ff 106-107)
• Distribution of Force D including details of lines of communication, 1 June 1919 (ff 109-122).