‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 33. PART II. (From 16th to 30th April 1917.)’

Content

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 30 April 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, letters, and memoranda containing instructions and reports.

The volume mostly relates to:

• Supplies for Force D, including: weapons, ammunition, road transport, and rations
• Plans for moving reinforcements between Mesopotamia, Egypt, and France
• Construction and transportation of rivercraft from India to Mesopotamia
• Proposals to store ammunition locally rather than in India
• Details of tonnage [amounts of cargo] transported on railways and rivers
• Matters relating to railways construction
• Turkish [Ottoman] troops: movements; status at various lines in Mesopotamia; weapon supplies; plans to retire to Mosul; and extracts of distribution for week ending 17 April (ff 30-31) and week ending 24 April (ff 96-97)
• Discussions about Force D providing food and grain to the Russian forces under General Pavloff [Pavlov]
• Cordial attitude of the Mujtahids of Kerbela [Karbala] and Nejef [An-Najaf] towards touring British political officers
• Issues relating to staffing
• Intelligence from the Caucasus Military Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
• Intelligence from the General Officer Commanding, Egypt, especially in relation to the Turkish 18th Army Corps
• Updates from the Tigris line, especially around Samarra [Samarra’] and Istabulat [Istablat], including a resumé of operations on the Tigris since the arrival of the Russians
• Status of the Russian force at Kasr-i-Shirin [Qasr-e Shirin]
• Alleged misconduct of the 3rd Brahmans and subsequent military court proceedings
• Details of the present telegraph system
• Communications with the Russian force in Persia [Iran]
• Information on ships in various Indian ports and at Basrah [Basra]
• Updates on action at Hit
• Transport required to evacuate sick and wounded soldiers
• Discussions about the Press representatives' tour of Mesopotamia and where they should be permitted to visit
• Royal Flying Corps reports
• Discussions about consolidating British influence in the Baghdad Vilayet [province under the Ottoman Empire]
• Impact of Russian inactivity and unavailability on British operations
• Government of India's response to the War Cabinet's decision regarding future administration and control of Mesopotamia and Arabia.

The volume also contains:

• Distribution of troops on 24 March (ff 20-25)
• 'Detailed statement of ration strength' of Force D on 25 March (ff 58-61) and on 1 April (ff 121-123)
• Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia and Persia on 22 April (ff 74-75) and on 29 April (ff 131-133)
• Field return for Force D showing number of personnel, animals, weapons, and transport vehicles (ff 139-153).

A summary and index to the contents of this volume can be found at the start of IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3274.

Extent and format

1 volume (156 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 158; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-156; these numbers are printed and are located in the bottom centre of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Dimensions: 21 x 33cm

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3275

Former external reference(s)

Volume 33. PART II.

History of this record

Date(s)

3 Mar 1917-30 Apr 1917 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Military logisticsMilitary intelligenceRailwaysReports

Places

Mesopotamia

People & organisations

General Officer Commanding, Egyptian Expeditionary ForceMesopotamia Expeditionary ForceWar OfficeSecretary of State for India, United KingdomChief of the General Staff

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‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 33. PART II. (From 16th to 30th April 1917.)’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3275, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000201> [accessed 26 August 2024]

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