'Mesopotamia Commission. Report of the Commission Appointed by Act of Parliament to Enquire into the Operations of War in Mesopotamia, together with a Special Report by Commander J Wedgwood, DSO, MP, and Appendices. London: HMSO, 1917.' [‎9v] (18/248)

PART IV.—THE ADVANCE TO AMARA AND KUT.
16
1 . Sir John Nixon’s assumption of the command of the Expedition makes a landmark
in its history. The occupation of Kurna which had taken place in December, 1914, and the
victory at Barjisiyah wdiich coincided with his arrival, had realised the plan of the British
Government in sending the Expedition, save that something still remained to be done to
complete the protection of the supply of oil. Now we enter upon the story of operations
which are distinguished from the earlier ones by three features.
First, the initiative (except in regard to the security of the oil-supply) no longer comes
from London, but from Sir John Nixon, obeying the general instructions of the Indian
Government, and sustained by their concurrence. Secondly, though the earlier
advances up the Tigris are recommended only by the need for consolidating and defending
what has already been gained, the influence of a desire to move forward towards Baghdad
becomes more apparent. Thirdly, the problem of river transport becomes of crucial import
ance.
2 . On the appointment of General Nixon as Commander of the Army Corps, he was
given written instructions by Sir Beauchamp Duff before leaving India on March 24th,
1915, and those instructions were as follows :—
(1) Indian Expeditionary Force “ D,” now operating in Mesopotamia under the command of Lieutenant-
General Sir A. A. Barrett. K.C.B., K.C.V.O., has been reinforced and raised to an Army Corps Command, the
details and organisation of which are shown in a proof copy of Organisation Orders, Force “ D,” attached.
(2) You will proceed to Basra, and take over command of I.E.F. “ D ” from Lieutenant-General Sir A. A.
Barrett, who will retain command of the 6th Division.
(3) Please report by wire, both to the Chief of the General Staff, Simla, and to the Secretary of State for
India, the date on which you take over the command.
(4) You will render a daily report of your operations to the Secretary of State and to the Chief of the General
Staff. Army Headquarters, Simla.
(5) Sir Percy Cox, who is now with Lieutenant-General Sir A. Barrett as Political Officer, will come under
your orders.
(6) Instructions as to the operations of your force are in a separate document
Operations.
(1) Your force is intended to retain complete control of the lower portion of Mesopotamia, comprising
the Basra vilayet and including all outlets to the sea and such portions of the neighbouring territories as may
affect your operations.
(2) So far as you may find feasible, without prejudicing your main operations, you should endeavour to
secure the safety of the oilfields, pipe-line and refineries of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.
(3) After acquainting yourself on the spot with the present situation you will submit:—«
(i) A plan for the effective occupation of Basra vilayet ;
(ii) A plan for a subsequent advance on Baghdad.
(4) In all operations you will respect the neutrality of Persia so far as military and political exigencies
| permit.
Reports on Special Points.
The following points are to be especially reported upon by you, after examination of the conditions in
Mesopotamia :—
(i) The advisability of reinforcing 6th Cavalry Brigade by one regiment of Imperial Service Cavalry,
which could be utilised for guarding the oil pipe-line.
(ii) The quantity and description of animal transport required for Force “ D ” in the operations con
templated.
(iii) The employment of a light railway, of which 137 miles of track, 20 locomotives, 240 trucks,
23 brake vans and 2 traction engines are reported available and in good condition.
(iv) The employment of armoured motors and mechanical transport.
(v) Aircraft.
(vi) The adequacy and suitability of the river gunboats and transports en route, namely :—
2 Nile gunboats, armament not yet known.
7 Paddlers from the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, with 2 flats from Eastern Bengal State
Railway.
2 motor-boats.
4 tugs.
4 steam launches and 2 steam cutters and 2 horse-boats, understood to be coming from Egypt.
3 . At the time these instructions were given to General Nixon they were not known
to the Home Authorities, though they were subsequently sent by mail to the 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. ,
where they were received on May 2 nd. In his evidence before us, the Viceroy also stated
that he did not remember having seen these instructions.