‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 38. Pt 1 & 2. (From 1st to 30th September 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 1 and 30 September 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 2 September 1917 (ff 59-61); 9 September (ff 159-161); 16 September (ff 253-254); 23 September (ff 339-341); 30 September (ff 494-496)
• Two diaries of information dated 18 August (ff 181-182) and 15 August (ff 219-220) covering climate and floods
• Reinforcements for Force D, including supplies of medical officers, horses, mules, Chinese artisans, and remounts
• Movements of Turkish [Ottoman] and Russian troops
• Reports from the Royal Flying Corps of machines in service and pilots available
• Staff appointments for Force D, particularly in command of heavy artillery
• Railway construction and management
• Surrender of a Turkish detachment at Diwaniyah [Ad Diwaniyah]
• The administration of Mesopotamia
• Views on a combined British and Russian offensive
• A proposed local cultivation scheme
• The removal of certain vessels from the list of hospital ships
• Trade between India and Baghdad
• The possibility of finding a new ‘Eyewitness’ reporter to replace Edmund Candler
• A proposed re-organisation of the Directorate of Port Administration and Conservancy
• A discussion of timing shipping from India to avoid congestion
• The search for a suitable officer to act as irrigation adviser for Sir Percy Cox
• Changes in the staffing of the Turkish army
• The unsuitability of the Chinese artisans and their return to India
• The provision of Ford vans in place of mules
• Information concerning General Erich von Falkenhayn’s army.

The following tables appear:

• Distribution and composition of Force D, including details of: lines of communication; general organisation; and names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders (ff 19-30)
• Enemy material captured from 1 April to 30 June 1917 (ff 43-48)
• Weekly return of the sick and wounded dated 11 August 1917 (ff 68-69), 18 August (ff 77-78), 25 August (ff 132-133), 8 September (ff 412-413), 1 September (ff 418-419)
• Ration strength of Force D on 4 August 1917 (ff 81-87), 18 August (ff 116-120), 25 August (ff 211-215, 437-443), 11 August (ff 234-241), 1 September (ff 288-291, 459-465), 18 September (ff 376-383), 8 September (ff 419-423)
• State of supplies on 1 September 1917 (ff 87-89, 109-110), 8 September (ff 186-189), 15 September (ff 270-272), 22 September (ff 362-365), 2 September (ff 409-410)
• Distribution of the Turkish army on 4 September 1917 (ff 94-96), 11 September (ff 191-194, 202-204), 18 September (ff 278-281), 25 September (ff 367-370)
• Distribution of Force D on 19 August 1917 (ff 101-108)
• Monthly distribution report of motor vehicles 1 August 1917 (ff 399-405)
• Strength return for Force D 28 July 1917 (ff 466-485).

Extent and format

1 volume (496 folios)

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 498; 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 3-496; 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/17/5/3284

Former external reference(s)

Volume 38 Pt 1 & 2

History of this record

Date(s)

28 Jul 1917-30 Sep 1917 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Military suppliesMilitary logisticsMilitary administrationShippingMotor transportTrade restrictions (wartime)Military appointmentsCultivationHospital ships

Places

MesopotamiaBaghdad

People & organisations

Director of Inland Water TransportMesopotamia Expeditionary ForceWar OfficeWar Office, Director of Military IntelligenceChief of the General Staff

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‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 38. Pt 1 & 2. (From 1st to 30th September 1917).’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3284, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x00020a> [accessed 11 March 2025]

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