'Railways and L. of C. [Lines of Communication] Policy Mesopotamia, Vol IV' [‎109r] (217/270)

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PARAPH RASE, SEC RET. 121/3/1604 (M.O.2.).
^Erom: 7/ar Office.
'To: 0,0.0, in C, Egypt repeated G.O.C. Mesopotamia.
Desp. 1815 14,11.19.
1', Your E.Ac2723, Cctober 4th. It is most important for us
to establish definitely before the final settlement y/ith Turkey
a practicable route exists for a standard gauge railway
between HAIEA and BAGHDAD lyamg wholly within Area B 11 (Sykes-
Picot Agreement),
Such a railway is the most important factor in our future
strategic policy as regards Palestine and Mesopotamia, as it
Yfill probably eventually be accompanied by an oil-pipe and air
route.
2. It is understood that no commercial line across the JORDAN
Valley is possible south of the existing line from HAIFA to
^ DERAA, in which case trace of the projected line eastwards should
bo assumed to start from DERAA.
3. Preliminary railway reconnaissance should bo carried out
immediately. An expert Engineer should be sent to make an
aneroid reconnaissance of the shortest route within Area n B f?
between DSRAA. and Burka with a view to meeting reconnaissance
projected by G,0 ; .C, Mesopotamia, in his X,7457, air reconnaissance
being utilized as necessary.
Above Engineer may be joined shortly by one or two oil pipe
Engineers who will be sent from home to investigate the route
o. for oil pipe, which will be dependent on railway, but may
diverge from it in places,
ytfi B • Railway reconnaissance should not however be delayed on this
account owing to urgency of preliminary report.
4. permanent air route will probably eventually follov; that
selected for railway. To obtain general information required by
R.A.F. advantage should therefore be taken of railway reconnaissance.
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After receipt of preliminary reports, detailed reconnaissances
for railway and pipe line will be carried out as it is important
to get a definite trace laii down at the earliest possible date,
Y/ith regard to the pipe line survey the following arrangements
are proposed.
It is desirable for political reasons to emphasise the point
that this work is being undertaken for military (strategic) purposes.
It will, however, actually be carried out by a party of seme
20 oil pipe specialists belonging to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.
It is suggested that these men should be officially taken on
by you under the provisions of Field Service Regulations, Fart II,
paragraph 142, if you see no objection.
They will be technical experts of the demobilized officer
class and will include the personnel of a Flight consisting of four
aeroplanes for photo-survey work, which the Company is anxious to
s e nd out,
You are requested to give your views on the practicability
ox employing these civilians as suggested above as it is recognised
that the partial maintenance of this flight may devolve upon you,
wnich may be inconvenient.
The main point is that while they must of course be subject
to the usual military restrictions and comply with any military
instructions which are necessary, yet at the same time they will
be technically responsible to their Employers - The Anglo-Persian
b;.l Company,
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