'Railways and L. of C. [Lines of Communication] Policy, Mesopotamia. Vol III' [‎39r] (78/549)

v |/ V
CLBAR TliE LII^>
Prom:- War Office*
To:- G*0*C. Mesopcrtajnia repeated C.in C* India*
79780 eipher M,*H*2.a*/3l3*
Your 7049 of June let and in continuation of my 79557
•f July Sth.v,
1. Regarding the Kirkuk - Kizil Rohat line. Our policy
envisages oonstruction of a railway cn this line in the future
to Mosul hut without a permanent bridge over the Diyala
difficulties of maintaining uninterrupted oommunication and
delay in supply of material from overseas or from Kut—Baghdad
line indicate that any work possible at present would afford
little immediate relief in maintenance of garrisons in
Suleimaniyah area*
2* Are you content to wait completion of metre gauge or do
you regard that some more quickly constructed rail oommunication
an essential to give immediate support to Kinkuk*
SECRET.
121/3/U22. L(^
Desp.1800 16 *7 *19*
5* Lubbock who has been consulted agrees support can be
obtained more quickly and economically by a light 60 c.m.line
from either Kizil Robat cr Eatha on the Tigris if it is
immediately essential* On account ©f length,^cost and better
transhipment facilities from existing line, line from Eatha
seems preferable*
4* It is realised that this line would be only a temporary
expedient to be aplaced at some later date by the line from
Kizil Robat to Mosul advocated by you which is oommerefeally
sound and aonstruction of the 60 s.m. line from Fatha would not
prejudice consideration of this railway*
6, As regards the Mosul line sanction has been given
standard gauge to Shergat although against our policy. 11
extension beyond Shergat oonsideredessentialunderstandfrcB
your X.7141 of June 22nd that a railhead aj! Qaiyara v, oula
suffice* Qaiyara to Shergat must be a 60 o*m*line* lx
required wire quantities needed of 60 o*m* track and rolling
stock detailed in my 78910 of June 14th and < approximate estimate
of cost of line exclusive cf track and rolling stock*
6. Eor suggested alternatives for reaching Kirkuk similar
information should be given*
Estimates and requirements can follow later but your
reply regarding policy must arrive this week.
Addressed Mesopotamia repeated India*
C.2. Copies to
C* I r Gr* So
D« C* I* G* S*
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D*S*X)* D*B*S*I)*
D*M*0. D*D*M*0*
M*0*2* 2a* X.
L.Mcv*
M*R« • a*
S.B.2*
M.0*X.
Copies to:- M*I*2* M«I«S*b*(2)
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. (6)
M.I.R*(2)
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