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File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [207v] (425/995)
The record is made up of 1 volume (491 folios). It was created in 28 Jun 1920-11 Feb 1921. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
2
Militry authorities have despatched reinforcements and operations having
for their object punishment of tribes directly responsible are in progress.
Consequent on above development it will be necessary in all probability to make
arrests in Najaf and Kufah which have become centres of energetic pro-
Turkish and anti-British agitation.
Situation in Baghdad quiet at present and no developments elsewhere.
Addressed
India Office
The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors.
, repeated Simla, Tehran, Cairo, Constantinople.
Office of the Civil Commissioner.
Baghdad, the hth July, 1920.
No. 19676.
G.H Q. (2 copies).
Copy forwarded for information.
(Sd.) H. R. LOWIS, Lt.,
for Lt.-Col., I.A.,
Acting Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia.
Telegram—Cypher (Pty.)
Pro.a—Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
To—S. of S. for India, London, repeated Simla, Tehran, Cairo and Constanti
nople.
No. 8233.
Dated 8 th tialy, 1920.
My telegram of July 4th 8042.
Military operations are in progress but are hampered by shortage of rolling
stock, six trains in all having been captured or derailed between Samawah and
Diwaniyah. Detachments at Samawah and Rumaithah are isolated; line has
been cut in addition above Diwaniyah but not seriously. Troops at Rumai
thah have suffered heavy casualties and detachment sent in relief has also
been severely handled and compelled to withdraw.
Situation in Shamiyah Division is very delicate but I hope that Division
will not be scene of outbreak provided we can obtain substantial success during
next few days at Rumaithah.
Otherwise we shall probably lose control of middle Euphrates and a very
serious situation will be created.
As a consequence of above situation in Nasiriyah Division delicate.
Quiet elsewhere and no special developments.
Addressed
India Office
The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors.
, repeated Simla, Tehran, Cairo and Constantinople.
Telegram—X Pty.
Prom—Foreign, Simla.
To—Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
No. 806/S.
Dated and received 3rd July, 1920.
Bushire telegram 1268 of Jjily 2 nd regarding Bushire aeroplane tiioffit.
lour views are invited. *
Telegram—Cypher.
From—Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
T(> —Foreign, Simla, repeated
India Office
The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors.
, London.
No. 8048.
Dated 4th J uly, 1920.
Your telegi'am 806-S. of 3rd July.
Ihe lact that all the units of the R.A.F. allocated to Mesopotamia are
required there does not m my opinion justify the withdraival from Bushire of
aeroplanes which all reports agree to be minimum show of force necessary for
the execution of our present policy there of supporting local Persian authori
ties.
Whilst therefore I cordially sympathize with desire of R.A.F. authorities
m Mesopotamia m their desire to concentrate their personnel in Mesopotamia
where they are urgently needed and can be most effectively employed I agree
weth Trevor that the present moment is unsuitable for withdrawal and I
recommend their retention.
.H
About this item
- Content
The volume consists of correspondence, memoranda, drafts, and departmental notes relating to rebellion against British mandatory rule in Mesopotamia [approximately corresponding to present-day Iraq], later known as the Iraqi Revolt of 1920.
The volume covers the period from the start of unrest in May 1920 to British imposition of control in October of the same year. The majority of the volume comprises reports from political officers across Mesopotamia on the situation in their respective divisions and districts.
Other matters discussed within the volume include:
- The suspected causes of the uprising, including fears of ‘Bolshevik’ and pro-Turkish influence
- Settlement of the border between Syria and Mesopotamia
- Military strategy and operations, including the need for reinforcements
- The severing of British lines of communication, particularly rail
- The efficacy and principles of the use of armoured cars and air raids as means of control following numerous cases of misidentification and disproportionate force that resulted in the deaths and injuries of innocent people
- Political and civil policy in the region
- Identification and arrest of some of the leaders of the rebellion
- The prominence of events in Mesopotamia in the British press
- The question of disarming the tribes following the suppression of the rebellion.
Principal correspondents include officials at: the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ; the Office of the Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia (from November 1920, the High Commissioner); the War Office; General Headquarters of the military in Mesopotamia; and the Government of India, Foreign and Political and Army departments.
The volume contains cuttings from several publications, including: The Times , The Statesman , The Observer , The Daily Herald , The Daily Mail , The Baghdad Times , and The Near East .
The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence. A second divider is included, for File 4722/1918 Part 7, entitled ‘Mesopotamia: Sir A. Wilson’s invitation to Syrian Baghdadis’. This was transferred to File 5268/20 Parts 1 and 2 (see IOR/L/PS/10/913).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (491 folios)
- Arrangement
The volume is arranged in approximate chronological order, from the rear to the front.
The subject 4722 (Mesopotamia) consists of ten volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/755-764. The volumes are divided into twelve parts, with parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12 comprising one volume each. Part 10 is missing. Part 7, entitled ‘Mesopotamia: Sir A. Wilson’s invitation to Syrian Baghdadis’, was transferred to File 5268/20 Parts 1 and 2 (see IOR/L/PS/10/913).
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 489; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. Multiple intermittent additional foliation sequences are also present. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. The sequence contains one foliation anomaly, f 89a.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [207v] (425/995), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/761, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100137804987.0x00001a> [accessed 8 June 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/761
- Title
- File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, i-r:i-v, 1r:89v, 89ar:89av, 90r:113r, 114v, 118v:120r, 121v, 127v:169v, 173r:192v, 194r:211v, 213r:223v, 225r:227r, 229r:261v, 262v:263v, 266r:279v, 280ar, 280r:293v, 294v, 295v:317v, 318ar, 318r:333v, 334v:341v, 342v:359v, 360v:400v, 404r:424v, 425ar, 425r:489v, ii-r:ii-v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence