‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎44r] (92/246)

The provision of the ten launches asked for now will he undertaken from
here as far as possible but if you have any suitable please despatch direct to
Basrah and inform me of number sent.
Record copy to D. M. S.
Copy to M. S. 0., M. S. V, A. D., G. S. (M. 0. 1, M. 0. 2).
Telegram P., No. 374-15-I.G., dated 22nd May 1916. APPENDIX 309
(Despatched 4-20 f.m., received 11-55 p.m., 22nd May 1916.) {Dy- No. 55388)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force ct D,” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
Following is intelligence.
It is believed that at present the party of British ladies and children from
Baghdad are in Musal. I request that the Grand Duke Nicholas may be
informed of the above so that in the event of Musal being occupied, his troops
of the 4th Russian Army Corps may be prepared to give his protection to
these children and ladies.
Addressed Director, Military Intelligence ; repeated C. G. S., Simla.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M. 0.1, M. (X 2).
APPRECEATION BY M. 0. 1. APPENDIX 310
Situation in Mesopotamia.
22nd May 1916.
1. Important developments have taken place on the Tigris line.
On 15th Mav the Turkish 2nd Division and the Cavalry Brigade were
reported to have withdrawn from the
i) y . No. 54269. Kut area, and on 18th May aerial recon-
tw Nn 'uqos naissance discovered what were aimos
certainly the tracks of these two forma
tions leading from Jessan to Mendali. .
On 19th May General Gorringe report-d that he had occupied the
enemy’s trenches at Beit Aiessa and. that
Dy , No. 54989. signs of a general withdrawal from the
Sinn position on the right bank of the
Tigris were noticeable On the left bank the Sannaiyat position vas still ie
but collection of transport indicated a probable withdrawal.
On 20th May General Lake reported that the right flank of the Sinn
position on the right bank had been.
Dv No 5 5113 turned and the Dujailah redoubt occupied,
whilst on 21 st it was reported that except
for a small rearguard covering the bridge over the Hai 500 yards below its
junction with the Euphrates the right bank was clear.
The Sannaiyat position was still held.
2. Cholera is still prevalent, and there have been 606 cases, of which 231
were fatal up to 18th May.
The heat is now intensely trying.
3. Sanction has been given to the
Dy. No. 54396. construction of a 2' 6" railway from
Qurnah to Amarah.
4. The distribution of the Turkish forces in Mesopotamia is now estimated
to be (some):—
Below Baghdad.
Tigris line
Euphrates line .
On the Khanikin front
17,000 rifles with 66 guns.
700 sabres with 4 guns.
20.000 rifles. 1.700 sabres with 46 (?) sruns.