‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 41. PART II. (From 16th to 31st December 1917).’ [‎65r] (134/508)

It is intimated by Bickarakhoy that purport of telegram is an official
renunciation of peace proposals and armistice of present governing forces in
Bussia by the partizan detachment, and assumption by him personally of all
responsibility in the matter. This personal responsibility is assumed by him
so that his men will not be held guilty for their action if there is trouble later,
1 ^. COnfiden ! :ially . t0 P oint to the British Military authorities
that the decision contained in his o21 was not obtained by any pressure on his
part, and is the unanimous decision of men of detachment. He considers
he has burnt his boats, and with a clear conscience is now ready to take
part in operations.
Working copy to G. S. (M. 0. 3).
Copy to M. S. C, G. S. (M. O. 1).
Word Code telegram No. 2-2112, dated 19th December 1917. APPENDIX 412
(Despatched 6-20 p.m., received 10 a.m., 20th December 1917.) (Dy. No. 86430)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force u D/ J Baghdad,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Delhi.
Your 82422, December 5th.
■With object of reducing consumption of tinned fruits when fresh fruit
not available, the issue of vegetables will in future whenever feasible be in
creased or an issue of dates will be made. To economize freight and reduce
consumption of dried vegetables which with exception of peas and beans have
little or no anti-scorbutic value but are bulky, an additional .^consumption
(issue of ?) of lime juice will in future be made to Indian troop's when fresh
vegetables are not available. Above measures should contribute materially in
replacing imported, articles by local products and reducing tonnage, but to
what extent it is difficult to forecast with accuracy.
Working copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M. S. C.
Telegram P., No. 48266-Cipher-M. I., dated 18th December 1917. APPENDIX 413
(Despatched 11-50 p.m., received 6-30 a.m., 20th December 1917.) {Dy, No. 86437)
From—The Director, Military Intelligence, London,
To—Egypt.
(Repeated Mesopotamia, India, Salonica, Reviews, Mudros, Caumilage.)
1. In a letter dated October 14th, a man of 5 (13 ?)th * Kraftwagen
• One figure omitted. Koloiine gives Field Post 666 as his
address.
2. A letter written on September 4th, 1917, by a man of 514th Kraft
wagen formation bears the official stamp of Field Post Military Mission Mardin.
He gives Field Post 512 as his address, unidentified up to now.
3. The identifications of 505th, 506th and 513th M. T. Columns in Asiatic
Turkey were given in my 43039 of October 11th {Dy. No. 69299).
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. O. 1).
Word Code telegram No. O. D.-2733, dated 19th December 1917. APPENDIX 414
(Despatched 5-50 p.m., received 8 a.m., 20th December 19] 7.) {Dy. No . 86446 )
From —The Director of Ordnance Services, Force ,f D/ J Basrah,
To—The War Section, Army Headquarters, Delhi.
2,346 packages out of 8,302 forwarded by “ Palamcotta ” were received
damaged owing to weak drums and rough handling. Cost of losses amounts
to Bs. 6,142-8. Please see my O. S.-6157 {By. No. 78583), November 19th,
and use every endeavour to provide stronger drums and minimise losses.
Working copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M. S. C„ M. B.