‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎86r] (176/246)

(2) Two Territorial Batteries in India at present in possession of 15-pr.
B. L. C. Equipment to be rearmed and sent to Eorce £i I) ” when
efficient with the new equipment, Nos. 77 and 72 Batteries
returning to India on their arrival. This second alternative has
advantages as there is no immediate urgency in the replacement
of the 5" Howitzers.
Kindly telegraph which alternative you prefer and your reasons, repeating
your answer to Secretary, War Office.
To replace any becoming unserviceable we have only 2 spare 5" howit
zers available for issue to you.
Addressed General, Basrah, repeated Secretary, War Office.
Record copy to D. G. O.
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M. 0. 2).
Telegram P., No. 17213-Cipher, dated 26th May 1916. APPEND I X375
(Despatched 8 p.m., received 12-20 p.m., 27th May 1916.) (Zty. No. 56273)
From-™ The Director, Military Intelligence, London,
To—The Commander-in Chief in India.
Message received from Marsh— Begins. During the War, Russians, in
order to protect small posts garrisons from treachery of Kurds, have had to
resort to punitive measures in several districts. The Russian troops employed
were Cossacks and troops principally composed of Armenians, and were com
manded by Armenian Generals of Regular Russian Army. Notable cases of
these punitive measures were in district between Diadin and Bayazid, and at
Sujbulak.— Ends.
Addessed G.O.C., Force “D,” repeated Egypt and India.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M.S.C., M S.V., F. & P., G. S , (M. 0. 1, M. 0. 2).
Letter No. 760-11-25-Q., dated 15th May 1916. APPENDIX 376
(Received in War Section on 17th May 1916.) (Dy. No. 56233)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
In continuation of my telegram No. 760-23-Q. {By. No. 53031), dated
8th instant, I have the honour to forward a copy of a report by the Officer
Commanding, No. 2 Bridging Train, on the poontoons recently received from
India.
2. These pontoons differ in the following important points from the mark
II Home pattern pontoon :—
(I) The side and bottom are of plain galvanised iron sheeting (instead
of pine planking with 2 layers of canvas),
(II) The saddle beams are fixed.
(III) The couplings are screwed (instead of hooks).
(IV) There are no outer side rails for the bandies.
3. Apart from faults of design, the manufacture is inferior. Out of 47
received in one consignment only 2 were found to be water-tight. In the
others leaks were discovered sometimes in a dozen different places in one
pontoon. In some cases the joints in the sheeting were at fault and nearly all
the attachments of the handles were not water-tight. There was comparatively
little sign of rough handling en route and the leakiness must be ascribed to bad
design and bad workmanship.
4. The pontoons manufactured in 1916 are not of the latest approved
pattern; but it is possible that the specification adopted lent itself to more
rapid construction.
Working copy to D. G. M. W.
Copy to M. S. C.