‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 32. PART II. (From 16th to 31st March 1917.)’ [‎135r] (278/294)

APPENDIX 366
(Dy. No. 20823)
Telegram P., No. 389-S., dated 26th March 1917.
(Received in War Section on 30th March 1917.)
Erom—His Excellency the Viceroy (Foreign and Political
Department), Delhi,
To—His Majesty's Secretary of State for India, London.
(Repeated to Sir P. Cox, Basrah.)
Although permanent direct British administration of Baghdad may not
be contemplated, it seems essential that apart from martial law, which can
merely maintain order, to take steps to overhaul and replace defunct Turkish
administration, and to carry on work of Civil Departments. We understand
suitable Arab personnel is not immediately available for this purpose, and that
onus for time-being at any rate must fall on British Officers. The immediate
requirements appears to be as follows :—
1. To secure submission by political means of tribes between Kut and our
front line and later between Kut and Nasiriyah and settle them on accustomed
lands on revenue paying basis. We mention latter which is of course mostly
in Basrah Vilayet to show full requirements,
2. To overhaul and replace Civil Departments of Vilayet of Baghdad. A
few Military Assistant Political Officers will be required for (1) and it is proposed
to send from India such suitable officers as are available. Major Bailey of
Political Department has already been sent. May we use our discretion up to
say eight more officers ?
For (2) is required an experienced Eevenue Officer with a staff of two
or three officers acquainted with Arabic and if possible Turkish. We propose
to send Dobbs if he is willing to return Mesopotamia and his health admits. If
not we propose Holme of Political Department. One or two officers from Egypt
or Soudan would be useful in this capacity. Further we propose on completion
of trade report to send Holland to Basrah as Cox’s Deputy, Wilson moving up
in similar capacity to Baghdad.
This is with reference to your telegram of March 17th (Dy. No, 18464).
i
Record copy to G. S. (M. 0. 1).
Copy to M, S. G, G. S. (M. 0. 3).
309
Telegram P., No. X.-1526, dated 29th March 1917.
(Despatched 8-15 a.m., received 1-45 p.m., 30th March
1917.)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,’ v Baghdad,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
(Repeated Chief of the Imperial General Staff, London.)
This morning in order to deal with converging movement referred to in
my wire of last night, we moved (forward ?) and attacked the Shatt-el-Adhaim
force whilst at the same time containing the advance of the Deli-Abbas force
According to latest report (our) ? troops are (established P) in enemy’s position
and (heavy ?) counterattack has been beaten off. Prisoners are comiiu F in.
Fighting is still in progress. Fine weather. Elsewhere quiet.
APPENDIX 367
(Dy. No. 20862)
Working copy to G. S. (M. 0. 1).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M. 0. 3).
Telegram P., No. I. A-3120, dated 30th March 1917. APPENDIX 868
(Despatched 3-30 a.m., received 11-30 p.m., 30th March 1917.) [Dy. No. 20861)
From—The General Head Quarters, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Cairo,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D, 5i Basrah.
(Repeated Director, Military Intelligence, London, and India.)
Information which is absolutely reliable states —*
1. 18th Army Corps informed Mosul on March 29th that no money has
been received from the Euphrates. Its money is exhausted and also that at
Tekrit. Troops will have nothing but bread within three days. There is
great scarcity of barley.. The Army Corps will maintain itself in its present
position as long as possible. Transport of flour, wheat, biscuits, barley, bulgur
and oil from above required urgently. It is therefore advisable that for the