‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎31r] (66/246)

Telegram P , No. 3357, dated 18th May 1916. APPENDIX 280
{Received in War Section on 20th May 1916.) (Dy- No. 54976)
From—The Secretary of State for India,,
To—The Viceroy (Army Department).
Deficiencies of river craft during the recent operations in Mesopotamia.
Can I, in reply to possible criticism in Parliament, say that the Government of
India did not refuse any request from General Ni^on for additional boats ?
Difficulties and delay in supply of craft from England can be explained
away by me. That however is the answer to enquiry why the Government of
India did not supply in 1915 these additional light draught vessels from rivers
in India which they managed to send out in the early months of the current
year ?
Working copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. 0. 1, M. 0. 2).
Telegiam P., No. I. G.-2816, dated 19th May 1916. APPENDIX 281
(Despatched 11-30 p.m., received 2-30 p.m., 20th May 1916.) (Dy. No. 54995)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D” Hakika,
through Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
No change on Euphrates Line.
Following are gauge readings, Tigris Line, for 18th. Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. llO’G. Amarah
95-71. My I. G. 2815? of 15th instant {Dy. No. 54919) continues. A point
midway between Mendali and Jessan was reached by aircraft reconnaissance
from Tigris Army Corps on 18th. Two parallel, fresh and distinct tracks,
believed to he those of 2nd Division and Turkish Cavalry Brigade, and
reaching from Baghailah to Mendali via Jessan, were seen.
The arrival at Wali of Pusht-i-Kuh’s camp in Dehluran plain (degree sheet
2 P.) on 17th instant of patrol of 150 Bussian Cossacks, whom General Baratoff
has sent to join up with British, is reported by a pro-British agent of the Wali
named Ezra.
Captain Napier, I.M.S., who is at present attending on Walls family, and
Ezra entertained the Cossack Commander. The patrol was directed by Napier
to go to Ali Gharbi, whence Commander will proceed to meet General Gorringe
at Headquarters, Tigris Army Corps.
Addressed to C. G. S., Simla; repeated Director, Military Intelligence,
London.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3)..
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M. O. 1, M. 0. 2).
Telegram P., No. 55001, dated 20th May 1916. APPENDIX 282
(Despatched 5-45 p.m.) No. 55001)
From—The Chief of the General Staff,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah.
Beference your No. G. K.-3614*0, dated 13th May {Dy. No. 54067).
Consideration has been given to the question of improving Karachi-Basrah
communication as has been referred by D. G., P. & T., to D. P. G. and Director
in Chief, Indo-European.
Becent delays, it appears, have been due more to considerable increase of
traffic, which has been since October last 50 per cent., and to insulation on land
lines being affected by damp rather than to the Jask office, in charge of which
however an experienced clerk has now been placed.
The provision of a new Eao-Bushire cable of additional instruments and
extra wire between Panjgur and Gwadur should very considerably reduce delays