'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎589r] (1189/1386)

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commence on on] January and be completed if possible by 15di January.
That Aylmgf thercforie had no choice but to push on without waiting to
complete his organisation, which was defective in many other respects as
well as in medical equipment and personnel. Moreover, available river
^transport was insufficient to meet three main requirements of his Force,
namely, first, its maintenance in food and ammunition ; secondly, transport
of reiniorcements to join him, and thirdly, the proper provision for treatment
and transport of his'wounded.
“The number 01 probable casualties was no doubt und'er-estimated, but
had it not been for the atrocious weather, I believe that not only would his
casualties have been far fewer, but the difficulties experienced in dealing
with wounded and their suffering would have been far Jess acute, while he
would probably have succeeded in his task. After my visit to front just
alter my arrival, I sent General Hathaway to look into the whole question of
medical arrangements, and satisfy himself as to their completeness before our
next movement forward. On Ins return he assured me that no such failure
ol medical treatment was likely to recur on Aylmer’s next advance. For
example, on previous occasion, the field ambulances of third and seventh
divisions had not arrived in the country, while all those which had originally
been in the advance on Ctesiphon were shut up in Kut; it, was only possible
to improvise eight seel ions for whole of Force,
“ Aylmer has now 15 field ambulances complete except that it has not
hitherto been possible to send up ambulance wagons and motor ambulances
owing to shortage of river transport, and I fear we must still rely largely on
transport carts. It has also been impossible to spare river vessels for
permanent fitting as hospital ships, and we can only rely on improvised
titting up of ordinary steamers and barges for which material has been sent
np* but no difficulty ought now to arise in respect to technical medical
equipment or personnel to attend wounded, i “-hall be glad, however, if the
balance tongas asked for could be despatched at earliest possible
ment.’’
T xh'act from a letter from Mr. Clianilcrlain to Lord Ilarduuje, dated
2nd March 11) Hi.
I am very glad to have a copy of Sir Percy Lake’s private telegram to
ihe ■Commander-in-Ohief, about the Mesopotamian medical arrangements. I
will keep an open mind as to responsibilities till the facts are ascertained,
but can any shortage of transport excuse a shortage of bandages and splints,
which are not bulky articles, or the placing of wounded men in a barge
still uncleansed after use for the transport of mules ?
I hope that the enquiry will extend to the treatment of the wounded
after Ctesiphon, because if my information is correct, the state of affairs
then should have sufficed to direct special attention to the subject before
another general action was fought.
A bad account of the* health of the troops at Aden lias reached me and
the Chief of the Imperial General Staff from private sources. In particular
it is alleged that though the troops are sleeping out, they are refused water
proof sheets because “Aden is India,” and such sheets are not issued in
India though given for France and Mesopotamia.
I beg you to call for full reports as to the sickness there, especially fever
and the like. Is there any reason why hutments should not be provided ?
I wish we could persuade the military authorities that waste of men is the
worst waste of all. If the story about waterproof sheets is true, I think au
example ought to be made of the man who gave that answer. I think you
you will find that the Colonel of one regiment made his men buy sheets and
saved much illness in consequence.
Public opinion will not stand such a state of things as is described in
the letters I have seen, and it will be. right. Some day it. will call a
reckoning fer mismanagement of this kind whether in Mesopotamia or
Gallipoli.
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