‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 23 PART II (From 16thto 30thJune 1916)’ [‎65r] (134/274)

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Hamidieh channel between taking off point below Keff and Hamidieh fine wide
river with from 20 to 40 feet water. Hamidieh, w r hich was reached in 4 hours
from entrance to channel, is town of (then) 10 years growth with boat bridge
and small garrison; river here 150 yards wide. For 2 or 3 reaches below town
only 5 feet water. Entrance to Lake narrow and winding, but current slight and
possible for steamer to pass. Below Hamidieh both banks more or less flooded
and reeds in place of cultivation. Informed that at low water only 12 to 17
inches water above and below Hamidieh. Barrage to Hamidieh 7 hours 25
minutes' steaming. Hindieh or Tewarij placed 8 miles too far downstream on
War Office map (probably lower Mesopotamia). Journey undertaken to pros-
pect alternative mail route to Baghdad. Bush of water over Barrage too great
to attempt upstream passage. Noted in March 1509 that Hillah Branch al
ways dry except during high flood ; then in December 1913 “ after closing sluices
of Hindieh Barrage water reached Hillah 38 hours later. Level now 1J metres
and this level maintained to Diwanieh Level of water in Hindieh not materially
affected by opening Hillah Branch. ” Diwanieh can be reached by carriage irom
Baghdad.
Addressed Basrah, repeated India.
Working copy to G.S. (M.O. 3).
Copy to G.S. (M.O.i).
'Telegram No. 818-5-L. C,, dated 21st June 19 j6. APPENDIX 328
Despatched 8 A.M., received 2-30 P.M., 22nd June 1916.) (Diary No 61143)
From—The Inspector General, Lines of Communications, Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla.
Your 60718, 2 oth, Ido not think these details will help. I propose as
.soon as end to congestion here is in sight to ask you to start loading the monthly
cycle of 9 store ships as in my 3I8-3 of 18 th (Dy. No. 60406) in follow'-
ing proportions giving 21 days* notice. Supplies 21,000 clothing 1,200 works
3,000 Ordnance 1,500 Army Signals 200 in any order convenient to you unless
we specially ask for certain items to be sent early. But in any case no more
bhoosa or fuel till specially asked for. I should like to know at once how
many more ships are actually loading referred to in my 818-2-1. C. of lath
(Dy. No. 60205). The 3 spare ships asked for will cover supplies for any new
units at present likely to be added to Force . Special small urgent requirements
can always come on the transports.
Working copy to Q.M.G.
Copy to M.S.C., G.S. (M.O. l,M.O. 2 ), A.D. (Marine).
Letter No. H.-5276, dated 19th June 1916. APPENDIX 329
Received in War Section, 22nd June 1916.) (Diary No. 61157)
From—The Secy, to the Govt, of India (Marine Dept.).
To—His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir R. E. Wenyss, K.C.B., C.M.G.,
M.V.O. Commander-in-Chief, His Majesty’s Ships and Vessels, East
Indian Squadron.
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letter
No. 53*1135, dated 3rd June I9I6. (Dy. No. 58218) in which you point out
that the apparent inability of the British forces to put an end to the isolation
of Bushire and to the detention of British subjects in Abram necessitates two of
His Majesty’s ships being employed on the coast of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , for which
ships you could well find work elsewhere were the state of affairs to be relieved.
2 . With reference thereto, I am to say that the Government of India are
fully aware of the present unsatisfactory situation in the Bushire hinterland
and agree with your Excellency as to the desirability of releasing the British
prisoners.