‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎6r] (16/246)

I
Those troops which are now on the way from Egypt will be at your dispo
sal at Basrah, to which place they will be directed.
Addressed Basrah, repeated 0.1. G. S., London.
Record copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M.S.C, M.S.V., A.G., Q.M.G., D.G.O., D.G.M.W., G.S.
(M.0.2, M.0.3, S.D.l, S.D.2, S.D.3).
Telegram P., No. 54334, dated 16th May 1916. APPENDIX 232
(Despatched 7-45 p.m.) (Dy. No. 5i334)
From—The Chief of the General Staff,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,’* Basrah.
Reference your 1135—3-0. of 12th May (Dy. No. 54014). It will be a
slow matter to provide two labour corps in addition to those already demanded.
However an Indian Porter Corps from Egypt, the release of which is possible,
will, if available, and brought up to 1,000 strong, be sent you to meet half your
requirements.
My 53586 of 12th May in which the reconstitution of the 43th Pioneers
was ordered was not presumably received by you before despatch of your above
quoted number. Can you accept this battalion to complete your requirements
or will you still find necessary the provision of another Pioneer Battalion.
Record copy to G. S. (M. O. 2).
Copy to M. S. C, G. S. (M. O. 1), A. G., Q. M. G, D. G. M. W.
APPENDIX 233
{Ny. No. 54366)
Telegram No. 54365, dated 16th May 1916.
(Despatched 12-30 a.m,, 17th May 1916.)
From—The Commander-in-Chief in India,
To—The Secretary, War Office, London.
We are considering the supply of frozen Australian meat to forces in
Mesopotamia. We have no experience of subject and shall be glad of inform
ation on following points.
Are any special processes necessary in hot climates for defrosting beef and
mutton respectively.
Is keeping quality of defrosted meat reduced by previous freezing.
In cold storage chambers what cubic capacity is required per thousand
pounds of beef and per thousand pounds of mutton.
What weight of frozen meat is carried by smaller vessels engaged in the
trade.
Is much personnel with technical knowledge required to run the business.
Record copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M. S, C.
Telegram P., No. 54369, dated 16th May 1916. APPENDIX 234:
(Despatched 12-30 a.m., 17th May 1916.) (Dy. No. 54369)
From—-The Chief of the General Staff,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah.
Please refer to my telegram No. 51860 and Adjutant General’s No. 34556-1
(Dy. No. 52M9), both dated 3rd May, also War Office telegram No. 16625-
Cipher-A.G.-2-A., dated 15th May (Dy. No. 54206).