‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎84r] (172/246)

“ Ekma ” with 2-10th Gurkhas, “ Bamora” with part of 2-10th Gurkhas
and 105th Field Ambulance.
Working copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M. S. 0., M. S. V., A. G., D. M. S., G. S. (M. O. 1, M. 0. 2).
Telegram P., No. I.G.-598, dated 26th May 1916. APPENDIX 371
(Despatched 4-25 p.m., received 4- 30 a.m., 27th May 1916.) (Dp. No. 56218)
Prom—The General Headquarters, Egyptian Force, Cairo,
To—The Commander-in-Chief in India.
Your I.G.-2877 (Dy. No. 55752).
Deference the Bukharest news regarding Austrian troops sent to Baghdad :
We have no confirmation of this and have found unreliable most Bukharest
information, whether official or press, concerning distribution or movements of
Turkish troops. The impression that not more than 12 000 Austrian troops are
in Turkey is given by agent (next group undecipherable) reports and most of
these troops are at Smyrna or Constantinople. As regards the concentration at
Marash : we have no information concerning this and in view of the fact that
the town is 40 miles from the railway by which troops are transported towards
Kharput and Diarbekir or Musal, it seems improbable. We have information
of considerable movement of troops from Syria into Cilicia whose object is to
defend line against raids from Cyprus. Turkish forces in Thrace, and
Constantinople, excluding Gallipoli, still appear to number about 11 Divisions.
The possible explanation of the Baghdad rumour referred to in your telegram
is that German and Austrian officers are with the force of 25,000 partially
trained troops who according to agent began to leave Central Syria on April
12th for Aleppo, Baghdad being their ostensible destination.
Addressed Basrah, repeated India and London.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. C M. S. V., G. S. (M. O. 1, M. O. 2).
APPENDIX 372
(Dy, No. 56246)
Letter No. 1201-31-Q., dated 14th May 1916.
(Received in War Section on 27th May 1916.)
From—The General Officer Commanding, I.E.F. Cf D,”
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
The additions made to this force since the 14th January 1916 and expe
rience gained in the meantime have rendered necessary a reconsideration of the
proposals formulated in my No. 1201-1 {Dy. No. 36129) 3 14th January, for the
organisation of the Bemount Service.
2. I am of opinion that the Base Bemount Dep6t requires considerable
expansion to cope successfully with the increased numbers of remounts passing
through it.
3. It was proposed that the Depot should consist of Headquarters and six
sections, and a list of the necessary establishment for a scheme on these lines
was drawn up and forwarded by me to you with the letter under reference.
As this scheme has not yet received formal sanction, I enclose herewith a list
of the establishment required for an alternative scheme, which is based on .the
lines, accepted in France as being most suitable, and admits of rapid expansion.
4. The Base Bemount Dep6t wdll consist of Headquarters, a Bemount
Dep6t of two or more Squadrons, and the Bemount Squadron takes the place
of the Advanced Bemount Section.
5. The Squadron is organised to deal with 500 horses on lines, and .1,000
to 1,500 in paddocks. A dep6t consists of several squadrons up to a maximum
of five, as required, any increase over five necessitates the institution of a fresh
depot.
6. It is now proposed that this system be introduced here and that the
organisation should consist of Headquarters and two Squadrons at Basrah and
of one squadron as an advanced dep6t at Amarah. Additional squadrons can
be added, as required, to the Base organisation and fresh squadrons formed
wherever required as advanced depots.
7. Statements are attached showing :—
A— (i) War Establishment of the Headquarters of a depot of two or
more squadrons, and