‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 41. PART II. (From 16th to 31st December 1917).’ [‎66r] (136/508)

Letter jNo. 1788, dated 6th December 1917. APPENDIX 415
(Received in War Section, 19th December 1917.) (Dy % Nn % 864 '7)
From—The Director, Supply and Transport, Force “ Basrah,
To—The Director, Supply and Transport, Army Headquarters, Delhi.
With reference to our standing monthly demands on India I have the
honour to invite your attention to the following
otfolr SJKjI/I, As mentioned to you in my letter No. 17874 of Nov
ember 3rd, I should be glad to hear how you are proposing to comply
with our monthly demand for 9,501 gallons. From the letter quoted it will
be seen that no shipment of this brand has been received since July, and in
view of the state of our stocks I will be glad if you can arrange to make a
shipment as soon as possible after the receipt of this letter.
/The monthly demand for 16,000 gallons of spirit for
aviation purposes has not been cancelled as yet, owing to the fact that while
the R. F. C. have made favourable reports on (hat recently obtained from the
A. P. 0. C. it is considered inadvisable to rely entirely on the A. P. O. C. to
supply what is needed until the most thorough and exactina: tests have been
made. In support of this contention I may mention that the E. F C have
recently received a consignment of petrol from Messrs. Strick, Scott & Co.,
which is quite useless for air-craft so that in order to safeguard the supply as
far as possible I shall be glad if a reserve of 50,000 gallons of 720 accepted by
G. H. Q,. in their Q -1007 of 15th ultimo {Dy- No. 77389) may be despatched
as soon as possible. It is noted that at the time of writing there is a consign
ment of 1,799 drums of petrol advised as having been despatched from Bombay
on the 24th ultimo by the S S, “ Kamuning,” but the telegram does not state
what the nature of it is.
Limes. Your cable of November 13th, No. 770-3, cancelling the despatch
of limes from Muscat is noted.
Potatoes .—Several consignments received from India have arrived in a
poor condition and a full report was sent you under my letter No. 17350 of
the 26th ultimo {Dy. No, 86097) and it is hoped that Subsequent despatches
may be larger and may prove of such a nature that they can be sent to the
Forward Area as they are very greatly appreciated.
Onions. In view 7 of the fact that the Director of Bocal Resources reported
that he had large stocks of fresh vegetables coming in, it was decided that for
the present it w ould be advisable to stop the import of onions, as it is found
that they will not keep if stored, my cable 17031 of November 20th ( Du.
J\o. 78620) was accordingly despatched to you to this effect. Since then I
notice se\eial shipments have been made but no doubt arrangements for
shipments have to be made well ahead, and you will probably cease shipments
Cotton seed, hulls and meal.—Yow? cable No. 79634 of November 24th is
noted, and necessary steps are being taken to deal with the situation.
Calcium, Carhide, Quicklime and Sulphur .—I would be greatly obliged if
monthly shipments of these three articles could be made, instead of sending
forward large shipments periodically, which at present appears to be the system 5
Ihis applies particularly to quicklime and sulphur, as it is desirable always to
have large stocks of these articles at all depdts in order to be able to meet
any emergencies that may arise.
Articles received direct from England.
Bacon—Y \\q demand for this article would appear to be now on a
satisfactory basis, as it is anticipated that the monthly demand for 550 000 lbs.
from the War Office and the receipts of 200,000 lbs. monthly from Australia
should suffice for the next two or three months. Unless shipments are received
on a generous scale from India during the next week, issue will have to be
suspended about the 17th instant. In order to meet the shortage, it has been
decided to issue meat and vegetable rations in lieu, and for that purpose a
demand wm made on you for “ 375 tons of meat and vegetable rations”
which I hope will be sent early in the monih.
. Cheese.-- The receipt of 750,000 lbs. monthly from home should render the
situation quite safe and also allow 7 for a further increase to the Force. A
I small demand for 200 tons w 7 as made on you this month in case you mi°ht be
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