‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 37. PART II. (From 16th to 31st August 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 31 August 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: letters, telegrams, notes, reports, tables, and memoranda.

An index to the contents of this volume and a summary of the contents can be found at IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3282. The volume concerns:

• Appreciations [reports] and intelligence summaries from the Directorate of Military Operations dated 19 August 1917 (ff 53-55), 26 August 1917 (ff 162-164)
• One diary of information dated 28 July 1917 (ff 84-86) covering climate, floods, and the Christians of Mesopotamia
• Reinforcements for Force D
• Movements of Turkish [Ottoman], Russian, and German troops and German officials, including General Erich von Falkenhayn
• Reports from the Royal Flying Corps of machines in service and pilots available
• Provision and movements of river craft
• Progress of railway constructions and future railway policy, including Turkish [Ottoman] railway construction
• The composition of the committee of enquiry into port congestion at Basrah [Basra]
• A scheme to stimulate cultivation by clearing the canals of the Euphrates area and providing advances of seed and cash
• Investigation of postal arrangements
• A fodder production scheme using local labourers
• A discussion of whether the French Consul at Basrah, Monsieur Roux, should be permitted to use a cipher and locked bag, and proceed beyond Basrah
• Trade between Basrah and Baghdad
• The appointment of Sir Percy Cox as Civil Commissioner, Mesopotamia
• A proposal to terminate the agreement between HM Government and the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association employing Edmund Candler as Official Eyewitness
• A new Indian General Hospital
• The appointment of R G Garrow as recognised irrigation expert for Mesopotamia.
• Proposed co-operation with the Russians.

The following tables appear:

• Distribution of troops 29 July 1917 Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force (ff 8-12)
• Weekly return sick and wounded w/e 28 July 1917 (ff 23-24), 4 August 1917 (f 72)
• Ration strength of MEF 14 July 1917 (ff 26-29), 21 July 1917 (ff 102-105), 4 August (ff 136-138), 28 July 1917 (ff 181-184), 11 August (ff 199-201)
• State of supplies 18 August 1917 (ff 69-71 and 88-89), 25 August (ff 188-190 and 210-211)
• Distribution of the Turkish Army 21 August 1917 (ff 75-77), 28 August 1917 (ff 194-195)
• Strength return for IEF D 30 June 1917 (ff 118-135)
• Monthly distribution report of motor vehicles 1 July 1917 (ff 202-207).

The file also contains a ‘Report on the conservancy of the Shatt-el-Arab [Shatt al-Arab] River from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf’ by Brigadier-General George Buchanan, Director of Port Administration and Conservancy, dated 22 March 1917, including nine maps of the Shatt-el-Arab River, the port of Basra, Mohammerah [Khorramshahr] bar, and the channel from Fao [Al-Faw] down the river.

Extent and format

1 volume (260 folios)

It is grouped into

‘MOHAMMERAH BAR’

4 images

Ref: IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283, f 235

‘RIVER SHATT-AL-ARAB PORT OF BASRA’

4 images

Ref: IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283, f 236

‘MOUTH OF THE SHATT AL ARAB RIVER’

4 images

Ref: IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283, f 237

‘SHATT-AL-ARAB OUTER BAR’

4 images

Ref: IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283, f 238

‘PLAN showing Principal Ports in Persian Gulf with Town & Trade Routes served by each’

4 images

Ref: IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283, f 239

‘PERSIAN GULF APPROACHES TO SHATT-AL-ARAB AND BAHMISHIR RIVERS NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1890’

4 images

Ref: IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283, f 240

‘MOUTH OF THE SHATT AL ARAB RIVER’

4 images

Ref: IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283, f 241

‘MOUTH OF THE SHATT AL ARAB RIVER Plan showing existing & proposed lighted buoys’

4 images

Ref: IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283, f 242

‘Shatt al Arab Longitudinal section of channel from Fao to beyond Outer Bar in 1890, 1911 & 1916 respectively’

4 images

Ref: IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283, f 243

Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 262; 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. Multiple additional mixed foliation/pagination sequences are also present in parallel; these numbers are printed.

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/17/5/3283

Former external reference(s)

Volume 37. PART II.

History of this record

Date(s)

22 Mar 1917-31 Aug 1917 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

IrrigationShippingMilitary administrationMilitary suppliesMilitary logisticsEnquiriesCultivationHarbour and coastal engineeringPostal services

Places

MohammerahShatt-el-ArabMesopotamiaFaoBasrah

People & organisations

War Office, Director of Military IntelligenceCommander-in-ChiefMesopotamia Expeditionary ForceWar OfficeChief of the General Staff, India

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‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 37. PART II. (From 16th to 31st August 1917).’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000209> [accessed 7 July 2024]

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