File 978/1917 Pt 3 'Mesopotamia and Persia: occupation of Baghdad; protection of holy places' [‎34r] (76/410)

(Received with Armv Department memorandum No. 8710, dated the 2lst March 1918.)
Telegram P., No. X.-7801, dated the v 4Sth (received 20th) March 1918.
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D”, Baghdad,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Delhi (repeated London and Egypt).
Operations. March 19th, 6 r.M. No change in situation. During past
24 hours heavy rain has been general. Communications partially interrupted .
and roads very bad. To-day a disturbance occurred at Najaf. Casualties w turns'
have occurred but situation there is somewhat obscure.
13
No. 3742, dated Delhi, the 22nd March 1918 (Secret).
Endorsed by Army Department.
A copy of the undermentioned paper is forwarded to the Foreign and
Political Department:—
Telegram from the General Officer Commanding, Force “ D ”, Baghdad, to the Chief
of the General Stall, Delhi, No. K.-7«i59, dated the 20th March 1918.
Telegram P., No. K -7159, dated the 20th (received 21st) March 1918.
From—'Ihe General Officer Commanding, Force “ D ”, Baghdad,
To—'the Chief of the General Staff, Delhi (repeated Secretary, War Office, and
General Officer Commanding, Egyptian Expeditionary Force).
Operations. (> p. M. No change in situation. One foot of snow at Serail
and tour inches at iiaikhadian. Disturbance commenced at Najaf yesterday
morning, with murder of Political Officer, Captain G. W. Marshall. Desultory
firing within town and upon our occupied Khan outside wall, has continued
ever since. Reinforcements have now arrived.
Names of murderers and sections implicated are known.
Town will be blockaded and terms dictated to-morrow.
14
No. 3787, dated Delhi, the 23rd March 1918 (Secret).
Endorsed by Army Department.
A copy of the undermentioned paper is forwarded to the Foreign and
Political Department
Telegram from the General Officer Commanding, Force “ D ”, Baghdad, to Delhi,
No. X -7399, dated the 21st March 1918.
Telegram P., No. X.-7399, dated the 21st (received 22nd) March 1918.
F rotn —The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D ”, Baghdad,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Delhi (repeated to the Secretary, War Office,
London, and General Officer Commanding, Egyptian Expeditionary Force,
Cairo).
Operations. Situation unchanged at 6 p. m. Dirturbance at Najaf due to
discontent of discharged policemen and a few Sheikhs. Section of inhabitants
will be punished suitably.
15
Telegram P., No. 2741, dated the 24th (received 25th) March 1918.
From—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 Gnlf, Baghdad,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the foreign and Political Depart
ment, Baghdad (repeated 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. , Tehran, Cox, Cairo, Bnshire and
Basrah).
Captain Marshall, Assistant Political Officer at Najaf, who had his head
quarters outside Najaf town in a building was shot dead at 6 A. m., March 19th,
in his quarters by a party of hired assassins from Najaf who shot sentry and
thus obtained access to building. Another Officer was wounded who was in
t he house at the time. Later on firing in Najaf town broke out.