‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. VOLUME 51. PART I. (From 1st to 15th October 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 October 1918. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, tables, and letters, containing instructions and reports.

An index to the contents of this volume can be found at folios 3-7. The volume mostly relates to:

• Ration and ammunition supplies for Force D
• Turkish [Ottoman] forces: movements; intelligence from deserters and intelligence agents; possible advance on Teheran [Tehran]; possible conclusion of peace; changes in command; reported massacre of Armenians at Baku; possible plans to form a ‘Mahommedan [Islamic] state’ in Caucasus region
• Discussions about armistices and possible conclusions of peace with Turkey
• Content of a protocol signed by Germany and Turkey
• Intentions of the Azarbaijan [Azerbaijan] Government
• Proposals and reports concerning Georgia, as well as the wider Caspian and Caucasus regions
• Railway and port traffic reports
• Lenkoran Mission
• Lack of shipping facilities at Abaden [Abadan]
• Reports on the situation in Persia [Iran] by the General Officer Commanding, Force D, and the Special Commissioner, Teheran
• Operations along the Tigris
• Matters relating to the port at Basrah [Basra]
• Proposals for a Musketry school at Baghdad
• Matters relating to the Dunsterforce
• Discussions about propaganda in Mesopotamia, as well as Persia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
• Discussions about the administration of Mesopotamia
• Railways construction progress
• Returns of personnel strength across numerous departments
• Concerns regarding Colonel Lazar Bicharakov [Bicherakov, also rendered in text as Bicharakoff]
• Suggestions and reports made 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. on numerous matters, including: the Jewish community in Mesopotamia; Mr Roux, French Consul at Basrah; and a proposed Commercial Mission
• Intelligence provided by Harry St John Philby regarding: the arms traffic from the Hedjaz [Al-Hijaz]; relations with Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān Āl Sa’ūd] and Ibn Rashid [Saʿūd bin ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl Rashīd, Emir of Ha‘il]; and a recent attack on Khorma
• Updates from the Mianeh area
• Lists of sick and wounded soldiers
• Information regarding German troops at Elezabotopol [Elisabethpol, former governorate under the Russian Empire].

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

Extent and format

1 volume (100 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 102; 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 3-100; 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/17/5/3309

Former external reference(s)

VOLUME 51. PART I.

History of this record

Date(s)

13 Apr 1918-15 Oct 1918 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

RailwaysMilitary operationsReports

Places

PersiaCaucasusMesopotamia

People & organisations

DunsterforceMesopotamia Expeditionary ForceChief of the General Staff, IndiaPolitical Resident, Persian Gulf

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. VOLUME 51. PART I. (From 1st to 15th October 1918.)’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3309, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000223> [accessed 6 April 2025]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000223

IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000223/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content