‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎67r] (138/246)

suggest that Minister be requested to arrange with the Government of Persia
that all Indians wandering about Persia be arrested and sent to the nearest
British Consulate.
Working copy to G. S. (M. 0. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M. O. 1).
Telegram P., No. 129-442-0., dated 24th May 1916. APPENDIX 340
(Despatched 11 p.m., received 12-15 p.m., 25th May 1916.) Gty* No. E>o854)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force <£ P,” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Stall.
Mat/ 24th, Tigris Line*
Though considerable movement of transport indicates possibility of retire
ment, enemy is still holding on to left bank down stream Kut Enemy s
communications on left bank have been subjected to mamtaine e ec ie
from our right bank artillery.
Lines of Communication.
Road from Amarah to Shaikh Sa’ad is temporarily passable for all arms.
The Qurnah-Amarah road is non reported open for A. T. carts and troops,
though not for heavy transport or guns.
Addressed C. G. S., Simla; repeated Chief, London.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V, G. S. (M. 0. 2, M. 0. 3).
235
Telegram P., No. H.-4231, dated 22nd May 1916. APPENDIX 341
(Received in War Section on 25th May 1916.) (%• iVo - 5585
From—The Viceroy (Army Department),
To—The Secretary of State for India.
Comforts for members of the Kut Garrison now prisoners of war with the
Turks. We have had under consideration the question of supplying comfoi ts
to the above, and would observe that the approximate number of prisoners,
excluding 1,085 sick and wounded handed over to us, is—
271 British officers.
2,500 British rank and file. , ^ .. , Q aao
6,400 Indian officers, non-commissioned officers and men, and
Indian followers. „ . ,. i a
In consequence of the siege being prolonged and the privations endured,
all ranks probably are in a low state of health and also are in uigen
such clothing of all descriptions, brushes, soap,
combs, tooth brushes, and extra articles of food, e.g., sweetmea s,
biscuits, etc.
We have kept the force in Mesopotamia fully supplied through the agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
of various funds for comforts for trooj sin England and in this country with
such extra articles. The garrison of Kut of course did not receive any of these
eXtra iiamugh fuXu e gdia would gladly assist, it is obviously impossible for
comforts to be despatched vid Mesopotamia, supplies therefore can only be
arrange tl)at reS ponsibility primarily rests with Government to supply
the needs of the prisoners, and we request you to endeavo ” to 1 ^® < ; t * 0S ®
through any agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. considered most suitable by you We however suggest
that the Indian Soldiers Ruud might be invited to supplement supplies fo
Indian prisoners by Government.
Record copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M. S. C.