![‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 37. PART II. (From 16th to 31st August 1917).’ [‎31r] (66/546)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000209/IOR_L_MIL_17_5_3283_0066.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 37. PART II. (From 16th to 31st August 1917).’ [‎31r] (66/546)")
‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 37. PART II. (From 16th to 31st August 1917).’ [31r] (66/546)
The record is made up of 1 volume (260 folios). It was created in 22 Mar 1917-31 Aug 1917. 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.
applied for up to the present. The report has been posted to you under my
letter, dated 15th August A. G. 1-1159-161. I have satisfied myself that reten
tion of the above would entail loss of public money. Departure will be advised
in due course.
Working copy to A. G., Q. M. G.
Coyy to M. S. C.
Telegram P., No. 55962, dated 17th August 1917. APPENDIX 284
(Despatched 10 p.m.) Ao. 55962)
From—The Commander-in-Chief in India, Simla,
To—The Secretary, War Office, London.
(Kepeated General Officer Commanding, Force “ D/' Assistant Adjutant
General, 3rd Echelon, Basrah.)
Your 39534.-Cipher-A. G.-l (Dy. No. 55238), dated 14th August 1917.
The following are estimated draft requirements between November and April
next for Force “D” : —
In view and in hand we shall have sufficient reinforcements to last Force
S ‘D” at 10 per cent, wastage a month:—
For Machine Gun Corps.
Cavalry . . . 15th November.
Infantry . . . 15th December.
Motors . . . 1st November.
For Artillery to 28th February 1918.
For Infantry and Cavalry to 8th April 1918.
On these dates units would be at Field Service establishment only. Thes 0
calculations allow for units of whose arrival during the next three months w®
have received intimation.
2. Considering, however, the probability of extensive operations in Meso
potamia together with the time drafts take en route from Home, it is recom
mended that the following reinforcements should be despatched by you to
arrive in India as stated :
For Machine Gun Corps.
Cavalry 40 men, motors 70 men and infantry 700 men in December if
trained. They should arrive in November if untrained.
For Artillery.
2 per cent, required. If fully trained by 1st December, or if partly trained
should arrive by 1st November.
For all Infantry and Cavalry Units during November 10 per cent, re-in-
forcement of untrained men and daring December a 10 per cent, reinforcement
of trained men or, if you prefer, the whole 20 per cent, could be untrained in
which case they should all arrive before 1st December.
3. A 20 per cent, reinforcement for Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry to be
kept in England ready to proceed via Taranto when called upon in case of
emergency.
4. To be despatched monthly to Basrah.
Machine Gun Corps. 10 per cent, each monthly motor and Cavalry from
October to March Infantry from November to March all inclusive Artillery.
To arrive 1st February and on 1st March a 10 per cent, re-in forcemeat for each
unit.
Infantry and Cavalry. Nil as far as can be seen at present.
5. Recapitulation.
(a) For India by 1st December.
(i) A 20 per cent, reserve for each unit Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry.
(ii) 810 Machine Gun Corps.
(b) To be held in readiness for Basrah direct.
20 per cent, for Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry in case of emergency.
(c) For Basrah direct.
Artillery 20 per cent, to arrive by 1st March.
Machine Gun Corps. Total 60 per cent, of motor and Cavalry, and total
50 per cent Infantry, to be completed in March.
6. It should, however, be noted that for individual units supplementary
indents may be required and, if necessary, will be submitted. Our usual month
ly demands, will also be submitted as according to circumstances it may be
\
About this item
- Content
The volume contains a chronological list of brief summaries of papers relating to the activities of the Indian Expeditionary Force D (also known as the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force) between 16 and 31 August 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: letters, telegrams, notes, reports, tables, and memoranda.
An index to the contents of this volume and a summary of the contents can be found at IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3282. The volume concerns:
- Appreciations [reports] and intelligence summaries from the Directorate of Military Operations dated 19 August 1917 (ff 53-55), 26 August 1917 (ff 162-164)
- One diary of information dated 28 July 1917 (ff 84-86) covering climate, floods, and the Christians of Mesopotamia
- Reinforcements for Force D
- Movements of Turkish [Ottoman], Russian, and German troops and German officials, including General Erich von Falkenhayn
- Reports from the Royal Flying Corps of machines in service and pilots available
- Provision and movements of river craft
- Progress of railway constructions and future railway policy, including Turkish [Ottoman] railway construction
- The composition of the committee of enquiry into port congestion at Basrah [Basra]
- A scheme to stimulate cultivation by clearing the canals of the Euphrates area and providing advances of seed and cash
- Investigation of postal arrangements
- A fodder production scheme using local labourers
- A discussion of whether the French Consul at Basrah, Monsieur Roux, should be permitted to use a cipher and locked bag, and proceed beyond Basrah
- Trade between Basrah and Baghdad
- The appointment of Sir Percy Cox as Civil Commissioner, Mesopotamia
- A proposal to terminate the agreement between HM Government and the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association employing Edmund Candler as Official Eyewitness
- A new Indian General Hospital
- The appointment of R G Garrow as recognised irrigation expert for Mesopotamia.
- Proposed co-operation with the Russians.
The following tables appear:
- Distribution of troops 29 July 1917 Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force (ff 8-12)
- Weekly return sick and wounded w/e 28 July 1917 (ff 23-24), 4 August 1917 (f 72)
- Ration strength of MEF 14 July 1917 (ff 26-29), 21 July 1917 (ff 102-105), 4 August (ff 136-138), 28 July 1917 (ff 181-184), 11 August (ff 199-201)
- State of supplies 18 August 1917 (ff 69-71 and 88-89), 25 August (ff 188-190 and 210-211)
- Distribution of the Turkish Army 21 August 1917 (ff 75-77), 28 August 1917 (ff 194-195)
- Strength return for IEF D 30 June 1917 (ff 118-135)
- Monthly distribution report of motor vehicles 1 July 1917 (ff 202-207).
The file also contains a ‘Report on the conservancy of the Shatt-el-Arab [Shatt al-Arab] River from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf’ by Brigadier-General George Buchanan, Director of Port Administration and Conservancy, dated 22 March 1917, including nine maps of the Shatt-el-Arab River, the port of Basra, Mohammerah [Khorramshahr] bar, and the channel from Fao [Al-Faw] down the river.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (260 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.
- Physical characteristics
The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 262; 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 additional mixed foliation/pagination sequences are also present in parallel; these numbers are printed.
Dimensions: 21 x 33cm
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 37. PART II. (From 16th to 31st August 1917).’ [31r] (66/546), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100137829832.0x000043> [accessed 16 July 2024]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3283
- Title
- ‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 37. PART II. (From 16th to 31st August 1917).’
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:219v, 221v:234v, 244r:261v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence