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‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 23 PART II (From 16thto 30thJune 1916)’ [‎111r] (226/274)

The record is made up of 1 volume (133 folios). It was created in 21 May 1916-30 Jun 1916. 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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Telegram P., No. 5 ioi-F., dated 26th June 1916. APPENDIX 404
De spatched 6 P.M.. received 8 A.M., 27th June 1916.) (Diary No. 62073)
From—The G. O. C., Force “ D ”, Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla.
Royal Flying Corps here are at present extremely deficient in skilled engine
mechanics and repair work is practically at a standstill owing to heavy casualties
is skilled personnel and the absence of experienced men in your drafts recently
arrived. Urgently request that following be immediately despatched. 9 fitters
for aeroplane engine overhaul all with not less than one year’s experience of this
particular work. Two experienced turners. Five experienced fitters for bench
work.
It is hoped that (motor car ?) mechanics for Beardmore engines are being
despatched with “ Maitinsydes. ”
Rank is immaterial ; thoroughly skilled men only are required.
Addressed Secretary, War Office; repeated India.
Working copy to D.G.O.
Copy to M.S.C.
Telegram No. 684-17-A., dated 27th June 1916.
(Despatched 5-5 P.M., received 12-15 A.M., 28th June 1916.)
From"—The G. O. C., Force ,e D ”, Basrah.
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla..
Priority.—Your 59806. Pending the establishment of Press referred to
which is likely to take time please send as soon as possible two Sappers and
lu 7
Miners Printing Sections. Extra printing facilities most urgently required here.
I propose allotting one section for Inspector General, Lines of Communications
and retain the other for General Military Works at Basrah. These sections are
in addition to section asked for in my 684-15-A. (Dy. No. 61260) for 15th
Division. Please treat matter as most urgent.
Working copy to G.S. (M.O. 2).
Copy to M.S.C., A.G.
APPENDIX 405
(Diary No. 62084)

About this item

Content

The volume contains a chronological list of brief summaries of papers relating to the activities of the Indian Expeditionary Force D (also known as the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force) between 16 and 30 June 1916. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, letters, tables, and memoranda containing instructions and reports.

The volume mostly relates to:

  • Reinforcements and supplies for Force D, including: weapons; airplanes; ammunition; clothing; river and sea craft; equipment; animals; and hospital services
  • Staff: appointments; recruitment; changes in command; salaries; illnesses; and leave
  • Re-organisation of some staff structures
  • Processes for sending packages and gifts to troops
  • Prisoners of war
  • Updates from the Tigris line, especially at Kut [Al-Kut, also rendered as Kut-al-Amarah in text] and Sannaiyat [As Sina‘yat]
  • Updates from the Euphrates line, especially at Badar and Nasiriyah
  • Activities and movements of Ibn Rashid, Shaikh of Shammar Arabs [Saʿūd bin ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl Rashīd, Emir of Ha‘il]
  • Intelligence about the Turkish [Ottoman] Army: commanders; plans towards Kermanshah [also rendered in text as Kirmanshah]; possible attacks on Nasiriyah and Serdesht; distributions on the Caucasus and Persian [Iranian] fronts; status in Syria and on the Tigris line
  • Communications with the French Army
  • ‘Friendly Kurds’ between Amadia [Amadiya] and Neri
  • Arrests of high-level German army officials in Persia
  • Functions of the Arab Bureau
  • Construction of railways
  • Proposals for a modified inspection centre at Fao [Al-Faw] to prevent enemy ships entering the Shatt-al-Arab
  • Violence at Karbala [also rendered in text as Kerbella], including copy of a letter describing the events written by inhabitants of Karbala and addressed to the Persian Government and leaders of the Kashgai [Qashqāy] and Bakhtiari [Bakhtiyārī] (ff 85-86).

The volume also includes:

  • Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia on 19 June (ff 39-41) and 26 June (ff 100-101)
  • Distribution of Force D for week commencing 25 June 1916 (ff 90-94).

A summary of the contents of this volume can be found at the start of IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3254.

Extent and format
1 volume (133 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.

Physical characteristics

The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 135; 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 also present in parallel between ff 3-133; these numbers are printed and are located in the bottom centre of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Dimensions: 21 x 33cm

Written in
English in Latin script
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‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 23 PART II (From 16thto 30thJune 1916)’ [‎111r] (226/274), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3255, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100131646850.0x00001b> [accessed 27 August 2026]

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