‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎88r] (180/246)

Telegram P., No. 56293, dated 27th May 1916 APPENDIX 377
(Despatched 5 p.m.) (Zty. No. 56293)
From—The Commander-in-Chief in India,
To—The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, London
Two additional Pioneer Battalions have been ashed for by General Officer
Commanding, Force “D” (Dy. No. 54014), or failing these for two extra
labour corps to cope with the pressure of work in connection with difficulties of
engineering. One corps will be provided by the Indian Porter Corps which
is being released from Egypt but previous experience has shown that in
providing a second there will be considerable delay. I ask whether the 23rd
Pioneers can be spared from Egypt as no Pioneer Battalion can be made
available from India, vide your cipher telegram No. 16308 (Dy. No. 53319)
of 10th May.
Record copy to G. S. (M. 0. 2).
Copy to M. S. G, M. S. V., A. G., Q. M. G., D. G. M. W., G. S. (M. 0.1).
Telegram P., No. 56312, dated 27th May 1916. APPENDIX 378
(Despatched 6-15 p.m.) (Oy. No. 56312)
From—The Chief of the General Staff,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah.
With reference to your telegrams No. 245-66-Q. {Dy. No. 38610), dated
the 11th February, and No. 245-120-Q. {Dy. No. 53277), dated the 9th May.
Please send six “ Peerless ” motor lorries by first available steamer if they
can be spared. They are urgently required for use in India.
Record copy to D. G. M. W.
Copy to G. S. (M. 0.1, M. 0. 2),
Telegram P., No. 129-445-0., dated 26th May 1916. APPENDIX 379
(Despatched 10-15 p.m., received 5-30 p. m., 27 th May 1916.) [Ny. No. 56327)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force cc D } ” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
May 26th, Tigris Line. There is no change in situation but as opportu
nities occur we continue to harass enemy on left bank by machine gun and
artillery fire both day and night. Two of our reconnoitring machines were
attacked by an aeroplane belonging to enemy. Latter however was beaten
off.
Addressed India, repeated 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).
Telegram P., No. 4834-F., dated 27th May 1916. APPENDIX 380
(Despatched 11-40 am., received 4-50 p.m., 27th May 1916.) {Ny. No. 56350)
From—The General Officer Commandirg, Force “ D/ ; Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
Priority.
With reference to your telegram No. 17130, dated May 25th. It was sug
gested that you should send Dehaviland 2 or F. E, 8 Scout with water-cooled
engines as it was understood one of the above types had been so fitted and.tried
with success in Egypt. I should prefer them to Martinsydes if this is the
case. Apart from their Gnome engines, chief defects of old type Martinsyde s
were the special landing grounds which were required for them and the degree
of skill which was required to fly them, which many pilots do not possess Our
best pilots expressed distrust of them. Out of four of this type originally
with this force two, owing to engine failure, fell behind enemy’s line, and one