‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎33r] (70/246)

(a) Medical.
(b) Supply and Transport.
(c) Military Works.
(d) Ordnance.
(e) Local purchase.
(D) The equipment and staffing of Bearer and Tent Sub-Divisions of Field
Ambulances.
Becord copy to D. M. S.
Copy to M. S. V.
Telegram No. 55073, dated 20th May 1916. APPENDIX 285
(Despatched 11 p.m.) (ity. No. 55073)
From—The Chief of the General Staff,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah.
Your 1152-iS-Q. of 24th April {By. No. 50429), and 1152-32 Q. of 15th
instant {By. No. 54290), regarding shipment of stores. As regards the method
of loading stores and supplies every endeavour will be made to comply with
your wishes as far as practicable. Reference paragraph 1 of your 1152-2 8-Q.
the total tonnage of stores for the S. and T. Department during the last month
was 35,000 tons or an increase of 14,000 on amount given by you and this
meant three extra st( res ships, and you will thus understand it is difficult
to determine any definite programme for sailing of supply ships. The
question of congestion of supply ships in Basrah resolves itself into one as to
whether it is more convenient to have ships waiting at Basrah or Bombay and
Karachi. The difficulty in despatching them so as to prevent their arriving at
Basrah in a hunch is that these ships are very often used for towing river craft
and a certain number call at Gulf Ports to discharge stores and conse
quence is dates of their arrival at destination cannot be foreseen. It is con
sidered preferable to despatch ships from Bombay and Karachi when loaded
and let them wait in the stream below Basrah or at the Bar until they can
conveniently be unloaded as nearly every store ship carries some stores which
are urgently required and by this arrangement you w r ould have the ships in
the river and you could unload those most urgently required as details of such
stores on board are always cabled to you by the Embark ation Commandants at
the ports from which the ships sail. Another suggestion put forward is the
retention of a floating warehouse at Basrah of the Queda “ class ** which with
16 to 18 derricks along her decks could stow 12,000 tons, and transports
could go alongside her and rapidly discharge themselves.
It is thought that this would reduce the number of supply ships running
between India and Basrah, by reducing their detention at the latter place.
Please wire your views. If concurred in Director, Marine, will be asked to
make a suitable ship available for this purpose.
Record copy to Q. M. G
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. Y, G. S. (M. O. 1, M. O. 2).
Telegram P., No. 55075, dated 20th May 1916. APPENDIX 286
(Despatched 11 p m.) {By. No. 55075)
From—The Chief of the General Staff,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah,
Can you make 45 miles of permanent-way and all your 2-foot 6-inch
gauge stock available for the Qurnah-Amarah Railway on conversion to metre
gauge of Basrah Tramway.
Record copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M S. 0., M. S V., Railway Board, G.. S. (M. O. 1).