‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎118r] (240/246)

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This telegram, repeated to Director of Military Intelligence, War Office,
and Oommander-in-Chief in India, Simla, is addressed to Williams.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., F. and P., G. S. (M. 0.1, M. 0. 2).
Telegram No. 2-W., dated SBtla May 1916. APPENDIX 421
(Recceived in War Section, 31st May 1916 ) (Ity. JVo. 57014)
From—Mr. White, Director of Railways, Magil,
To—The Secretary, Railway Board.
Want 25 miles track for Sheikh Sa’ad line also 85 miles track for Qurnah-
Amarah line. We have 45 miles track 10 engines and 120 serviceable wagons.
Can you arrange for 65 miles track 8 reliable and reasonably light axleload
engines and 200 useful wagons of good carrying capacity ? Materials to start
reaving India beginning July. Above refers to 2 foot 6 inch gauge. Am
putting Izat in charge. Qurnah-Amarah construction. Berkeley will have
charge of Sheikh Sa’ad line under Military Works. Sheikh Sa’ad is 30 miles
below Kut.
Working copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to D. G. M. W., M. S. C., G. S. (M. O. 1).
Telegram P., No. 10-28-c 1-0., dated 30th May 1916. APPENDIX 422
(Despatched 7-30 p.m., received ,4-45 p.m., 31st May 1916.) (Dp. No. 57025)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
Your 4519 of March 24th.
Should be glad to know if two additional companies of Begular Sappers
and Miners could now be sent here by withdrawals from Egypt or elsewhere to
make good deficiencies in 7th and 13th Divisions. These divisions have only
one company of Sappers and Miners each.
2. Tehri and Maler Kotla Imperial Service Sappers and Miners are fully
engaged on Lines of Communication.
3. Divisions on British Establishment are each equipped with three field
companies, as the result, it is presumed, of experiment during the war. It is
for consideration whether divisions on the Indian Establishment should not be
similarly equipped. Certainly such a step would be amply justified by the
(condition of ?) Mesopotomia.
Addressed 0 G. S., Simla, repeated C. I. G. S., London.
Working copy to G. S. (M. 0. 2).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., A. G., Q. M. G , D. G. M. W., G. S. (M. 0.1).
Telegram P., No 129-449-0., dated 30th May 1916. APPENDIX 423
(Despatched 1-30 p.m., received 6-20 p.m., 31st May 1916.) (Dp. No. 57027)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
May 30th, Tigris line.
It is reported by Gorringe that enemy still strongly hold Sannaiyat
position. Considerable movement of transport on left bank and decrease in
number of tents indicate removal of impediments which may foreshadow
further retirement.
Paragraph 2. Karnn line .—On May 29th a squadron of 23rd Cavalry
from Shush came into contact with a force of Bakhtiaris. The latter were
reported to have opposed Russian advance on Qasr-i-Shirin. These tribesmen,
who were tryiner to get back to their own country, via Busht-i-Kuh, were inter
cepted by our cavalry while crossing the Ab-i-Dis en route for Dizful and were
dispersed. About 35 were taken prisoners but as they were afterwards found
to be tribesmen of no consequence, they were released.