‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎36r] (76/246)

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Telegram P., No. 148-19-M. S. ; dated 20th May 1916. APPENDIX 289
(Despatched 2-20 p.m., received 2-45 a.m., 21st May 1916.) (ity. No. 55096)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
Your 52712 of May 7th.
Command of 14th Division was assumed by General Egerton on forenoon
of May 12th. General Brooking took over command on forenoon of May 7 th
of 15th Division.
Addressed India, repeated London.
Working copy to M. S. C.
Copy to M. S. V, G. S. (M. O. 1, M. 0. 2, M 0. 3, S. D. 1).
Telegram P., No. 20, dated 20th May 1916. APPENDIX 2§0
(Despatched 7-30 p.m., received 3-20 a.m., 21st May 1916.) (Ity- No. 55103)
From— Surgeon-General O’Donnel, S. S. “Caledonia/* Suez,
To—The Commander-in-Chief in India.
War Office have sent following dated May 12th. Begins. D. M. 7299. It
is most important that you should satisfy yourself early that engagements for
preserving health of troops in Mesopotamia are complete and that any defects
should he wired to War Office and also to Civil India, Director General, Army
Medical Service. JEnds. It is proposed to go direct to Mesopotamia from Bom
bay before reporting at Simla. Instructions should be telegrapheu to Bombay
please.
Working copy to D. M. S.
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M. O. 1, M. O. 2, M. O- 3).
Telegram No. 1551-20-Q., dated 20th May 1916. APPENDIX 291
(Despatched 5-25 p.m., received 6-10 a.m., 21st May 1913.) (Ity* No. 55105)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
My free issue of tobacco on the same scale as in France (is to) be included
as an extra in revised scale of rations now under consideration. Meanwhile
since Corps Commander reports that troops are feeling deprivation of tobacco
a free weekly issue of 2 ozs tobacco or 40 cigarettes and two boxes matches
to every fighting man has been sanctioned under paragraph 81, Accounts Man
ual, War. Issue will commence as soon as stocks are available and preference
will be given to requirements of 3rd Army Corps.
Working copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M. S. Y.
Telegram P., No. 129-437-0., dated 20th May 1916. APPENDIX 292
(Despatched 10-30 p.m., received 7-15 a.m., 21st May 1916.) {Dy- 5o. 55113)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “D,” Qumah, through Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
Clear Bine.—May 20th, Tigris Line. Russian Cavalry patrol, strength 3
officers, 110 other ranks, arrived at Ali Gharbi. It is presumed this patrol
started from Karind (distance of which by way of Pusht-i-Kuhis fully 200 miles
from Ali Gharbi), though no details as to this have so far been received.
Gorringe reports that he occupied Dujailah redoubt at 9-55 this morning,
and turned the enemy’s position at Es Sinn right bank. At 10-15 a.m., enemy
still held Sannaiyat left bank. No further details have been received up to
the present.
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