‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎77r] (158/246)

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Telegram P., No. 17170-Cipher, dated 25th May 1916. APPENDIX 359
(Despatched 8-20 p.m., received 11-15 a.m., 26th May 1916.) (/ty. No. 56063)
From—The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, London,
To—The Commander-in-Chief in India.
Your 55709.
I feel that, at this distance, I cannot possibly do more than issue general
instructions for your and Lake’s guidance. Eor the present situation I consider
the instructions contained in my 15955 (Dy. Uo. 51399) of April 30th are
sufficient and as full as I can appropriately make them. To co-operate with
the Russians and" improve our military position on the Tigris would be an
undoubted advantage and if this can be done Lake should certainly do it,
provided Lake’s mission as laid down in my 15955 is conformed with.
The man on the spot can alone form an opinion as to this.
The telegram quoted below, dated May 22nd,_ from Hanbury Williams at
Russian G. H. Q. is relative to the question in point:—
Telegram Begins .—
Secret .—A written communication to the following effect has been
received by me from General Alexeieff on behalf of the Grand Duke Nicolas.
The object of General Baratoff’s action in the direction of Baghdad was
undertaken to create a favourable situation for General Lake and allow him to
defeat the Turkish forces with Russian assistance.
Lake’s inability to co-operate is regretted and in consequence Baratoff has
been instructed by the Grand Duke to suspend operations in face of a superior
enemy and retire if necessary.
With the above mentioned object General Alexeieff requests to be informed
of General Lake’s instructions and intentions and trusts that the latter might
undertake some strong line of action.
I should like to respectfully suggest that Lake’s telegram (Dy_ No. -53310)
did not convey the impression to the Russians that the unselfish desire or the
Russian General to help him was appreciated and that some expression to that
effect should be contained in the reply to this telegram since m this respect thq
Russians are particularly sensitive. Ends. A summary of Lake’s instructions
has been forwarded by me to Hanbury Williams.
Working copy to G. S. (M. 0. 1).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M, 0. 3).
Telegram P., No. 17176-Cipher, dated 25th May 1916. APPENDIX 360
(Despatched 9 p.m., received 11-50 a.m., 26th May 1916.) (i?y. No. 56075)
From—The Director, Military Intelligence, War Office, London,
To—The Commander-in-Chief in India.
Report dated May 11th from Geneva agent of doubtful quality states that
according to Turkish Diplomatic Service (?) from Berlin, gunners are being
sent by Germany to Irak with new system of quick-firing guns and ammuni
tion, also motors to stop advance of Russians on Baghdad. He also reports
that according to Turkish Diplomatic Service (?) from Constantinople on May
16th Turkish Government has decided to despatch immediately 20,000
men to Diarbekir, and 10,000 men from Jemal Pasha’s Army to Baghdad to
stop Russian offensive.
Addressed Marsh ; repeated Basrah, Egypt and India.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M. O. l| M. 0. 2).
Telegram P., No. 56079, dated 26th May 1916. APPENDIX 361
(Despatched 4-30 p.m.) i-Oy- No, 560/9)
From—The Chief of the General Staff,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah, j
Your 76-17-M. S. (By. No. 53352) dated 28th April,