‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 45 Part I (From 1st to 15th April 1918.)’

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 15 April 1918. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, letters, tables, and memoranda, containing instructions and reports.

An index to the contents of this volume can be found at folios 3-18 and a synopsis can be found at folio 19. The volume mostly relates to:

• Reinforcements and labour requirements of Force D
• Temporary staff appointments and promotions
• Supplies for Force D, including: rations, clothing, vans, ammunition, weapons, fodder, fuel, and animals
• Turkish [Ottoman] forces: intelligence; movements of commanders; and distribution for week ending 2 April (ff 58-59) and week ending 9 April (ff 157-158)
• Prisoners of war
• Lists of sick and wounded soldiers
• Details about the Dunsterforce, including: updates; movements; intelligence sharing; communications with Russian commanders; and the financial relationship with Force D
• Updates from the Euphrates front, including discussion of how troops along the Euphrates should be organised
• Discussions about a proposed occupation of Ispahan [Isfahan]
• Discussions about supplying guns to the Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. [I̅l-Khānī] to help him ‘deal with’ the Kuhgilu [Kūh Gīlū] tribe, and wider discussions about the Bakhtiaris [Bakhtiyārī, tribe]
• Details of tonnage [amounts of cargo] transported on ships and issues with shipping of goods
• Changes in organisation and formation of different units, most notably the: Cavalry Division; Supply and Transport Directorate; and Directorate of Labour
• Proposals for work on the agriculture and irrigation systems in Mesopotamia, including resources required and expected expenditure
• Activity at Hamadan
• Reorganisation and withdrawal of personnel to meet demands elsewhere
• Railway and port traffic reports
• Updates from Kermanshah
• Railways construction progress, as well as materials required and transported for railway construction
• Operations in Najaf, including intelligence concerning German troops
• Complaints by the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. regarding a shortage of political officers
• Financial matters relating to Force D and occupied territories
• Sharing of intelligence between the Foreign Office, the Government of India, and Force D
• Aviation reports
• Brief update from Major-General Henry Freeland, Chairman of the Mesopotamian Transport Commission
• Difficulties maintaining a force in Persia [Iran] due to transport limitations.

The volume also contains:

• Distribution of Force D, including details of the lines of communication administration, as well as names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders (ff 20-36)
• Statement showing strength of the different contingents serving with Force D as of 2 March (ff 65-67), 9 March (ff 207-209), 2 February (ff 231-243), and 9 February (ff 244-256)
• Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia and Persia on 7 April (ff 117-118) and 15 April (ff 261-262)
• Distribution of troops on 9 March (ff 123-131) and 16 March (ff 132-141)
• Note by Empire Cotton Growing Committee on cotton cultivation in Mesopotamia (ff 179-180).

Whilst the volume contains copies of earlier material dating from January 1918 onwards, the bulk of the material dates from April 1918.

Extent and format

1 item (262 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 264; 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 3-262; 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/17/5/3297

Former external reference(s)

Volume 45 Part I

History of this record

Date(s)

7 Jan 1918-15 Apr 1918 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Military suppliesMilitary administrationMilitary operationsMilitary logistics

Places

PersiaMesopotamiaIsfahanNajaf

People & organisations

DunsterforceMesopotamia Expeditionary ForceWar OfficeChief of the General Staff, IndiaCommander-in-Chief, IndiaDirector of Military IntelligencePolitical Resident, Persian Gulf

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Cite this record in your research

‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 45 Part I (From 1st to 15th April 1918.)’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3297, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000217> [accessed 4 October 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000217

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