'HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR BASED ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. THE CAMPAIGN IN MESOPOTAMIA 1914-1918. VOLUME I.' [‎56v] (117/454)

92 HISTORY OF THE WAR : MESOPOTAMIA
Europe or Egypt. Secrecy can be dropped after leading brigade
has reached Shatt al Arab. Will telegraph more precise
instructions to-morrow as to action to be taken. Of course
all ships utilised should be suitable for Shatt al Arab. Presume
you will adopt Expedition ‘D’ for description of this movement.”
On the 3rd, the following more precise instructions were
telegraphed to the Viceroy: “ Expedition ‘D’ Please
instruct officer commanding that we are at peace with Turkey
and on no account is he to land troops on Turkish territory
or take any other hostile action against Turks without orders
from you except in case of absolute military necessity. He may
disembark if convenient to do so either on Abadan island or
at Mohammerah but preferably at Abadan. On this point,
however, he should work in concert with naval and political
authorities. He should endeavour to avoid any action which
might cause friction with the Arabs either in Persian or Turkish
territory as we may have to rely on their co-operation in the
event of a rupture with Turkey. He will of course take all
steps to protect the oil tanks and other British interests in
Persian territory.
You will doubtless take measures in sufficient time to warn
the political officers in Gulf of action contemplated so that
necessary communications may be made by them to Shaikhs
of Mohammerah and Kuwait and to Ibn Saud in good time
so that they may have sufficient previous confidential intimation
of approach of expedition. Resident Baghdad should also be
warned and directed to communicate with Consul at Basra but
it is most important that no information regarding expedition
should leak out before it reaches Shatt al Arab. Admiralty
are instructing naval authorities. I am communicating with
Shakespear and will telegraph further about his movements.”
On the same day the Government of India telegraphed saying
that Expedition “A” could not sail till the 12th or 14th and that
they were sending to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. General Delamain with
the 16th Brigade and the 23rd and 30th Mountain Batteries:
they concluded “We assume you are sure that this advanced
brigade is strong enough for its purpose. We cannot judge of
this without knowing its instructions and objective. Do you
intend that we should manage this expedition or do you mean
to run it direct from 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. ?’’*
On the 5th in reply to the above telegram and in amplification
of his telegram of the 3rd, the Secretary of State wired:
“ The force under orders is only intended to occupy Abadan,
* These two telegrams of 3rd October, to and from India, crossed one another.