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'Unrest in Northern Mesopotamia (Kurds)' [76r] (151/206)
The record is made up of 1 file (101 folios). It was created in 12 Feb 1919-10 Apr 1920. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
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2
Prom:r
To
SECRET#
O#0.C. Mesopotamia.
War Office, repeated India and Egypt#
Desp*
Reed#
17 #15
17.30
23.4 #19*
24.4.19#
X.5927 April 23rd*
Your 77159 April 17th#
Owing to gradients and absence of water a light line to
Mosul presents some difficulty and in such country such light
material and locomotives as are available would be of no use#
We shall therefore require 121 miles of track for 2#6 tt gauge
with rails not lighter than 30 pounds per yard, 15 heavy-
locomotives capable of hauling 200 tons gross load jip one per
sent gradients, 25 bogie wagons of 16 tons capacity preferably
covered wagons, 10 brake vans of 10 tons each, and 10 travelling
water tanks each 2,000 gallons capadity* We have no data for ut
estimating accurately value of above but anticipate total cost
not under £400,000# We estimate 2| months to reach mile 40 and
18 months in all to Mosul# Country is easy as far as mile 40
but difficult beyond# In view however of delay which must
ensue in waiting for material and as it is essential to Improve
our communications with Mosul as early as possible I strongly
recommend following alternative:- To pull up existing standard
gauge Baghdad-Phlbdam line and substitute 2 , 6 ft , for which the
available material and rolling stock are suitable* Standard
gauge material so released to be laid down as far as mile 40
which is 6 miles distant from the Tigris, with short branch line
to our battalion on the Tigris at Kilashergat* Sufficient
standard gauge stock and engines are available for this proposal*
Fror mile 40 propose to carry on 2 , 6 M with new material when
supplied* Under this scheme we shall only need 91 miles of 2 , 6 rt
track 10 heavy locon^Mves as specified above, 25 wagons, 10 taa*
brake vans and 10 travelling water tanks* Cost of scheme for
pulling up Dhibdam line and re-laying to Shergat is £47,500 and
£322,500 for 2 f 6 M line from mile 40 to Mosul, fie should be able
to reach S&ergat within 3 months of date of sanction which will
be Immense relief to road transport and In event of any emergenc
strengthens our position at Mosul* Saving in cost will be
£30,000 as compared with first scheme# Above estimates of time
and cost are based on German (?) method of which we have details
Further survey will of course be undertaken but Railways are
doubtful if any easier method can be found for construction
and survey to Shergat and we shall have to employ officers
earmarked for Persian survey* Our ability to construct beyond
Shergat depends on detention of officers and we are making
proposals regarding this*
C#2* copies to:-
Army Council
• #. • 1 • 2* 3#
D#D*M.0#
• 0 # 2 * A *
F*l. 5#
D*S.D.
P.D.S.D*
S #JD » 2 #
F*W#5 #
W*F.
D*S$T#
About this item
- Content
The file consists primarily of correspondence and telegrams between the War Office and the General Officer Commanding Mesopotamia regarding the conflict and attacks taking place in Kurdistan. The file includes the following related subjects: the creation of the Kurdish National committee and the Kurdish movement; the massacre of Christians in Kurdistan; the reactions of anti-British, anti-foreign and anti-Christian subjects; the various disturbances in Zakho, Amadia [Al ‘Amādīyah], Sulaimaniyeh [Sulaymaniyah], and Kerkouk [Kirkuk]; the British response to the Kurdish movement, with discussion of punitive action and strategic operations; British prisoners, and casualties and deaths among British soldiers; the repatriation of Christians; the armistice frontier in the southern boundaries of the British forces' area in Persia.
Principal correspondents are the War Office; General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia; GHQ Egypt [General Headquarters Egypt]; GHQ Constantinople [General Headquarters Constantinople]; C in C India [Commander in Chief India]; Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. Baghdad; Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (101 folios)
- Arrangement
The file's contents are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 103; 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 between ff 3-102.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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'Unrest in Northern Mesopotamia (Kurds)' [76r] (151/206), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/5/798, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093314956.0x000098> [accessed 10 August 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/5/798
- Title
- 'Unrest in Northern Mesopotamia (Kurds)'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:102v, back, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence