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'Railways Mesopotamia and L of C [Lines of Communications] Policy, Vol. II' [‎32r] (63/274)

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The record is made up of 1 file (135 folios). It was created in 3 Dec 1917-24 Jun 1918. 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. .

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SECRET
From : Mesopotamia* L (°*4+ c Seek*
To :-^War Office.
Despatched at 5.50 p.m,
Received at 4.10 p.m,
X.8567 May 4th.
4.5.18.
6.5.18.
Your 6 7 616 cipher M.R.3/A/460 May 1st.
1* My X. 8345 April 26th.
Reference to my X.7957 April 12th. To ? bring reserve
up to 60 miles after completion of Khanikin extension will you please
arrange for an additional 25 miles of 50 lbs. metro gauge track.
Also 50 sets points and crossings about half of which will be required
for Basra port developments. This additional 25 miles and the
turnouts should come forward soon as outstanding metre gauge track
has been shipped.
2. Director of Railways C.4917 April 26th. Begins.
Orders have been received to proceed with extension with standard
gauge tO Hlt. Over and above any outstandings from previous orders
I

shall require following 75 lb section tracks Truck 48 miles and
points and crossings: (15 1 in 12. and 15 1 in si, total 30 sets).
This allows for building up reserve to 25 miles after reaching Hit.
vrack should come forward as follows July 30 miles August 18 miles.
Points and crossings as they become available over these 2 months.
Am sending by post full explanation of position as regards 75 lb.
t ra ek.
C.2. Copies to
d.g.m.r.
M.R.l.
y .R»2.
.0.2.1:.
M.O.X.

About this item

Content

The file, marked secret, contains correspondence and notes regarding rail and river transportation in Mesopotamia [Iraq] during 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
  • Military operations targeting the Turkish railways in Palestine
  • Planning and progress of the Mesopotamia Transport Commission
  • Supply of railway materials, rolling stock, and personnel
  • Postwar railway policy in India and Mesopotamia
  • The question of substituting oil fuel for coal supply in river and rail transport.

Correspondents include: the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Egypt; the Chief of Imperial General Staff; Director of Railways, Baghdad; the War Office; the Commander-in-Chief, Army Headquarters, India; the Major General Sir Henry Francis Edward Freeland, Chairman of the Mesopotamia Transport Commission; 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 Assistant Director of the Inland Water Transport, Mesopotamia.

Extent and format
1 file (135 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 137; 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
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'Railways Mesopotamia and L of C [Lines of Communications] Policy, Vol. II' [‎32r] (63/274), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/5/788, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100098484043.0x000040> [accessed 18 July 2026]

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