‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎109r] (222/246)

APPENDIX 403
{Dy. No. 56721)
Telegram No. 1130-7-A., dated 29th May 1916,
(Despatched 12-45 p.m., received 1-15 a.m., SOth May 1916.)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D/ J Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
In view of pluck shown by Army Bearer Corps under fire strongly recom
mended they he placed on the same footing as driver personnel Supply and
Transport Corps and draw special field allowance as for corresponding ranks
Indian Army.
Working copy to D. M. S.
Copy to M. S. C.
Telegram P., No. 17301-Cipher-M. I., dated 29th May 1916. APPENDIX 404
(Despatched 8-20 p.m., 29th May 1916, received 8-0 a.m., 30th May 1916.) (Dy. No. 56734)
From—The Director of Military Intelligence, London,
To—The Commander in-Chief in India.
Marsh has sent the following :—
When entering Arab Territory no proclamations have been issued by the
Russians hut the matter is being considered by them.
The Russian Commanders have been given a free hand as regards Kurds
except that they have been told not to molest unarmed inhabitants in pursuit
of their peaceful occupations. Simko Bey, an influential Kurd in Russian pay,
after proceeding to Bitlis with Prince Shakhovskoi on a political mission and
gaining his confidence, deserted to the Turks and Cossacks are now hunting
(?) him.
Abdul Razaq^Bedr Khan, another Turkish agent in Russian pay, has proved
untrustworthy though Kiamil Bey his uncle professes loyalty. At Serdesht an
influential Kurd by name Baiz Agha has surrendered. Meanwhile the Kurd
Mujaheddin is attacking the Russian on the Rowanduz Serdesht front.
On May 26th the Russian right Rowanduz column arrived on line Zibar-
Rizan and Baratoff’s advanced cavalry detachment drove back the enemy’s
cavalry at Hamrala on the same date.
Addressed Basrah; repeated Egypt and India.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., M, S. V., G. S. (M. 0.1, M. O. 2).
Telegram P., No. I. G.-4909, dated 29th May 1916. APPENDIX 405
(Despatched 12-30 p.m., received 4-15 a.m., SOth May 1916.) (Dy. No. 56735)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D/' Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff,
Intelligence.
Regarding reinforcements for Turkish 6th Army including Khanikin and
Tigris forces, vide your telegram of 25th May, No. 17178-Cipher (Dy. No.
56096). The arrival of 2 divisions at Baghdad between end of April and
beginning of June is indicated by reports from all sources. These two divisions
are reported to come from 4 different sources —
1. Angora, vide your telegram of 20th April, No. 15587-Cipher (Dy.
No. 49565).
2. Arab troops from Syria, vide your 16813-Cipher of Mav 19th (Dy.
No. 54945) and I.A.-2051 of 15th May (N. T. W. S) from G, H. Q.,
Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
3. Turkish troops from Constantinople, vide my telegrams of 16th April
and May 7th, Nos. I. G.-2502 (Dy. No. 49034?) and I. G.-2752 (Dy No. 52894),
respectively, supported by statements of many prisoners
4. German or Austrian divisions, vide C. G. S.-47406 of 7th April and
your 15800-Cipher (Dy. No. 56717) of 28th April also Reuters referred to in
my telegram of 24th May, No. I, G.-2877 (Dy. No. 55752).