‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎7r] (18/246)

In future all demands for British drafts on War Office will be made from
here after taking into account reinforcements available in this country. They
will be based on effective strengths as cabled by you four times a month. Artil
lery strengths should give gunners and drivers separately and it will be suffi
cient if they are cabled under following heads: (a) It. H. A; (b) Regular
B.P.A.; (c) R.G.A.; (d) R.E A. 13th Division ; (e) Territorial Artillery by
Brigades. Engineer strengths should be wired under following headings : (a)
Eield Companies 13th Division ; (5) following Signal units G.H.Q. Coy., l-3rd
Army Corps Coy., 2-3rd Army Corps Coy., 3rd, 7th, 13th Divisional Coys,
(c) No. 1 Wireless squadron, (d) No. 2 Wireless Squadron. In all cases all
British ranks in the country should be included in effective strength including
base details. As at present names of transports conveying last drafts from
India and England should be given. We will assume that your figures as
cabled to us are based on unit returns a fortnight old in arriving at reinforce
ments required by you at any time. Credit will also be given for all casualties
reported to us and allowance will be made for a normal wastage calculated to
date of anticipated arrival at Basrah of reinforcements asked for. It is essen
tial that periodical effective figures should be complete and that they should
be based on latest returns received by you.
Record copy to A. G.
Telegram P., No. 184-185-0., dated 16th May 1916. APPENDIX 235
(Despatched 1-40 p.m., received 10-20 p.m.) (Dy. No. 51382)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D/* Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
Reference my telegram of May 14th, No. 129-430-0. {By. No. 54089),
in which it was reported by me that the mastery of the air has now been
gained by tbe enemy on the Tigris front.
2. I require the following to enable my air service to Recover their former
ascendency and operate successfully:—
A. Fast and efficient fighting machines to be supplied.
B. Additional pilots to be provided.
0. Efficient anti-aircraft guns to be provided.
3. With regard to A, please see my telegram of the 4th April, No. 4168-F.
{By. No. 47137), in which the danger that the enemy on account of his faster
machines might gain the superiority was pointed out by me. I was informed
by you in your 15643-M. A. 1, dated 20th April 1916 {By. No. 49898),
that during May 4th fast Martynsides would be provided but up to date I have
received no intimation of the despatch of these machines nor has my wire
No. 4673-F., of 8th May 1916 {By. No. 52957) been answered in which the
monthly supply of 2 additional fighting machines to replace wastage was asked
for. I shall be glad to learn of the despatch of the Flight promised and that
the replacement of wastage has been arranged for as requested.
3. With regard to B, other telegrams have dealt with the shortage of person
nel. Matters will be improved by the arrival in this country of the pilots pro
mised but until an establishment of 22 pilots for one squadron is maintained
situation will not be satisfactory. My telegram 4716-F. of 13th May 1916
{By. No. 54039), addressed to you dealt with the general question of inade
quacy of personnel.
4. With regard to C. Three ? times have I applied for anti-aircraft guns
firstly my telegram 1008-248-0., dated 5th January 1916 {By. No. 33420), to
the Chief of the General Staff, India, but without success; your cable of March
13th, No. 14316-0ypher-S. D. 2 {By. No. 43195) informing? me that none
could be supplied. We have improvised for anti-aircraft vork two 12-prs.
which the Royal Navy have lent but these are not successful.
I again urge the supply at a very early date of 3 sections anti-aircraft
guns complete with suitable ammunition.