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'Railways and L. of C. [Lines of Communication] Policy, Mesopotamia. Vol III' [203r] (406/549)
The record is made up of 1 file (272 folios). It was created in 22 Jun 1918-5 Oct 1919. 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.
1 1
From C. in C,, India,
To :- War Office•
SECRET
Despatched 12.10 a.m. 1.10.18.
Received 10.25 p.m. 2.10.18.
78587 Q»13. September 30th.
Operations.
/
Paragraph 1. Telegram X*2507 September 26th from Force D.
indicates 50 miles 50 lb rails now in hand in Mesopotamia instead
of being devoted to Persian extension are about to be used for
Euphrates line. Marshall moreover Is apparently ear-marking
rolling stock for Euphrates line in preference to Persian. In
consequence of this double programme urgent demand for further
supplies of rails and rolling stock are made by him.
2c As you are aware I have always had serious doubts as to
military necessity of conpleting the Euphrates line. The present
Tigris L> of C„ is not only ample fur Marshall's existing force
including that in Persia but possesses a margin of considerable
surplus capacity. The Euphrates line project originated from
Freeland's report which was based on the hypothesis of the mainten
ance of 11 divisions, Allenby r s victory in Palestine has now so
materially altered the military situation as to permit of a
reduction to an 8 division standard which in my opinion will be ample
to cover < 3 /cry reasonable forecast of Mesopotamia 1 s future
liabilities, including that of the Caspian
3c The only grounds left for constructing a new Lc of Co therefore,
are the development of local resources on the Euphrates and a
possible reduction in the total personnel employed an transporta
tion services.. Former should be mot by light feeder lines from
Hillah and development of river transport on Euphrates which will
bo practicable on completion of canal now being dredged through
Hamer Lake. As to hoped for reduction in personnel I have gravo
doubts of its being realized for a considerable periodo
4. As regards rolling stock, the provision of arranged stock
referred to in Marshall's telegram 0728June 22nd would on
present Tigris railway system cover the increase of number of
trains per day from 8 to 14 and allow for 4 trans on Baghdad-
Khanikin section. Former is now unnecessary, having in view
considerations stated in paragraph 2 above. Thus the portion of
stock under order originally intended for the Tigris provided
Euphrates project was dropped could be made available for allotment
to the extension beyond Khanikin,
5. It is true the Euphrates line would ensure some administrative
advantages in point of quickness of transit but against this must
be set the following ?-
(a) urgent need for economising in railway material, especially
in view of India 1 s present needs set forth in previous telegrams to
you and
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.
. lb) Difficulties of freight. (c) Cost in
money material and labour of equipping a new L. of Cc with accommo
dation for troops hospitals supply depots etc.
6 * Marshall 1 s proposal to divide between the Euphrates line and
the Persian extension the rails and rolling stock now available or
under orders overlooks or misapprehends the decision stated in
paragraph 4 of your telegram 65249 D.M.O. August 28th that the
Persian extension Is to bo given priority,
u
t
About this item
- Content
The file, marked secret, contains correspondence and notes regarding rail and road transportation in Mesopotamia [Iraq] near the end of, and immediately following, the First World War. The papers cover several matters, including:
- The construction, conversion, maintenance, and expansion of the railways in the region, including regular progress reports from the Director of Railways, Baghdad
- Supply of railway materials, rolling stock, and personnel
- A proposed survey of Persia [Iran] for the purposes of railway building
- Demobilisation planning
- Transition from military to civil administration
- Expenditure
- A proposal for a direct Baghdad-Haifa line.
Correspondents include: the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Egypt; the Chief of Imperial General Staff; the Director of Railways, Baghdad; the War Office; the Commander-in-Chief, Army Headquarters, India; the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Mesopotamia; the Chief of the General Staff, India; the Director General of Movements and Railways, War Office; and the High Commissioner at Constantinople [Istanbul].
- Extent and format
- 1 file (272 folios)
- Arrangement
The file is arranged in chronological order, from the rear to the front.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 274; 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 present in parallel; these numbers are written in coloured crayon.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/5/789
- Title
- 'Railways and L. of C. [Lines of Communication] Policy, Mesopotamia. Vol III'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:30r, 30av, 30v:273v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence