'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎109r] (220/256)

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boon reoi-gimised as an Army Corps of two divisions,
Instructions from Commander in Chief in India to (ieneral Sir John Nixon K C B
doted 24th March 1915.
(Extract). $
Your force is intended to retain complete control of the lower portion of Mesopotamia
comprising the Basra V dayet and including all outlets to the sea and such portions of the
'J neighbouring territories as may affect your operations.
■1, So far as you may ffnd feasible without prejudicing your main operations you should
endeavour to secure the safety of the Oil Helds, pipe line and refineries of the Amdo-Persia..
Oil Company. 6
.‘1. After acquainting yourself on the spot with the present situation you will submit:
“ (i) A plan for the effective occupation of the Basra Vilayet.
“ (ii) A plan for a subsequent advance on Baghdad.
4. In all operations you will respect the neutrality of Persia so far as military and
political exigencies permit. ^
I la-roij to Secretary of State fur Indio, doted l.v/ April 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Indian Expeditionary Force “ I) ”
with Corps troops as follows :—
Second Indian Army Corps : -Commander, General Xixon. Principal Staff Officers-
.Senior Geneml Staff Officer Major-General (i. V. Ken,ball, British Service; General Staff
Offn-rrs. 1 st Grade, Major R. tassels, 35tl. Sikhs, Major W. H. Beach, Royal Kneineers
(additional) ; I leiraty Assistant and ynartermaster-Genei-al, Brigadier-General VV. G. Hamilton.
British .Service; Assistant Quartermaster-General, Colonel .1. A. Douo-las Indian Army •
Oeputy Director, Army Signals, Major L. H. Queripel, Royal Artillery; attached to
Headquarters Br.gad.er-General C. T. Robinson, Royal Artillery; fropi Poona Division.
Go.onel J. I . Brew in. Royal Engmeers; Inspector-General of Communications, Major-General
Davison from 12th Brigade; Base ( ommandant, to be appointed when required from Force
10011(1 Division -Commander, Lieutenant-General Sir A. Barrett Prinriml Stutf
Officms: (renciul IStnff Officer, 1st Grade Colonel 1!. N. Gamble, British Service; Assistant
Quartermaster-General, Colonel L. \\ . Shakespeare, Indian Army
'Droops: 16th, 17th. and 18th Infantry Brigades under Brigadier-Generals Delamain,
Dobbie, and Fry.
Divisional Troops: :13rd ('avalry (less two squadrons); 10th Royal Field Artillery
Brigade: No. 1 Indian Mountain Artillery Brigade; Divisional Ammunition Column ; 17th
and ^nd Field Companies, Sappers and Miners; 34th Divisional Signal Company •
4hth Pioneers. 1 J ’
Uth Indian Division Commauder, Major-General Gorringe. Principal Staff Officers-
General Staff Officer, 1st Grade, Major H. O. J. Browne, 5th Gurkhas; Assistant Quarter
master-(general, Colonel C. E. Hendley, Indian Army.
Droops:- 12 th, 30th, and 33rd Infantry Brigades. Lean succeeds Davison in 12th Brigade
Mel is commands 30th ; a successor to Gorringe in 33rd will shortly be appointed
in.fU IT W -A rr ";° 1 fq'^'rons ddrd Cavairy, 5th Hampshire Battery, 86th and
04 th Heav^ Batteries, 12th field Company Sappers and Miners Simur Sappers,
l_tn improvised divisional Signal company. ri
(hops Troops: -6th Cavalry Brigade less 33 rd Cavalry under Brigadier-General Kennedy ;
ogeflirr with Headquarters and one troop wireless squadron, bridging train, printing and
lithographic A lithograph is an image reproduced from a printing plate whose image areas attract ink and non-image areas repel it. sections. , r 6
Wo have throughout borne in mind desirability of economy in staff.
No.
General A iron to Secretory of State for Indio, dated IHh April 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
I have to-day assumed command of Indian Expeditionary Force D.”
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No,N^
general Nixon to Secretory of Stole for India, dated \2th April 1915 .
(Telegraphic.)
.shaiba, Kurna and Ahwaz have all been attacked to-day. Shaiba attack commenced
o a m. tiom three sides, and was supported by guns from south and south-west and west. It
continued thus till 8 a.m., when firing became intermittent, and enemy did some entrenching
'rennket 6 ! ”°., Whe1 '.f n ous attack until 2.15 p.m., when attack from south was resumed and
repulsed by o p.m. b rom actual observation, enemy’s troops appeared to approximate closelv
sVlOK 10 ' 1 ! 01 lL,< , ) ?°- m galaVS f>ht * tribosmeu u l > ro probably 10,000. including
ACKJO kunls Eight guns, all held, were actually observed, but there are thought to be at
T' dm l " ] ' obal,1 - v nu | , , lv - f anticipated this early stage of the attack, and had accordingly
ordered 30th Infan ry Brigade to wade across water-logged plain from Basra to Zobffir
mMng to lurk.sh occupation of landing place at Zobeir, 1 decided to send only
one Battalion with General Mollis in all the small boats available, direct to Shaiba and
1 P ro l , ;> S( ‘ s< f»dmg more of that Brigade to-morrow. At Kurna, artillery duel was
esnmed at daylight to-day. Floating mines struck bridge and destroyed small portion
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