‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 41. PART II. (From 16th to 31st December 1917).’ [‎203r] (410/508)

Word Code telegram No. A.-4123, dated 27th December 1917.
(Despatched 10-40 p.m., received 7-30 A.M., 28th December 1917
Prom—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,”
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Delhi.
appendix 564
.) {Dy. No. 83292)
Paghdad,
EollowiB 0 ’ on migration of civilians from Baghdad to Basrah, the latter
nlace is setting congested, it is suggested no request from ^ civilians to return
or proceed there should he considered unless the applicants can produce
evidence that accommodation is available for them on arrival.
Working copy to Q. M. G., G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S. C., F. & P., A. G., G. S. (S. D. 4).
Memorandum No. (T. & P.) 18, dated 8th December 1917.
(Received in War Section, 28th December 1917.)
APPENDIX 565
(%. No. 8S309)
From—The Director,’Supplies and Transport, Force D,
To—The Director, Supplies and Transport, War Office, London*
(Copy to Army Headquarters, India, for information only.)
Your letter W, O. (T. & P.) of 18th October 1917 received.
Brigadier-General P. C. Scott, C.B., D. of S. & T., left Baghdad on 5th
December 1917 for special duty at the Base.
Lieutenant-Colonel M. S Hewett, S. T. C , A. D. S. & T., for personneL
was evacuated sick to India on 23rd November 1917. His place has been
filled by Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Salmon, S. & T. Corpus.
The Army Commander has approved of a D. D. of T. for M. T. being
appointed to this Staff owing to the large increase in the Mechanical Transport
in the country. I have recommended Lieutenant-Colonel F. W. Leland, A.S.C.,
for this appointment and have asked you in my X.-5051, dated 1st December
/
1917 {Dy. No. 81639) for a regular Officer to be sent out to replace him if
possible.
The promotion to fill vacancies in the establishment of M. T. Units have
given great satisfaction. The question, however, of Officers of the Supp y
and Transport still remains to be considered. There are many of them,
especially those who came from France, who are wmrthy of promotion but
owing to want of vacancies there are little or no prospects.
I recommend that the pow r er of promotion Local or Acting Banks bo
placed at my discretion, to be sparingly used, when the merit of the case
justifies it.
Working copy to M. S. C.
Copy to A. G., Q. M. G., G. S. (S. D. 2, S. D. 4).
Word Code telegram No. Q..-2378, dated 27th December 1917. APPENDIX 566
(Despatched 7-35 p.m., 27th December 1917 ; received 6-30 a.m., 28th (Ity. No. 83310)
December 1917.)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D/’ Baghdad,
To -The Chief of the General Staff, De hi.
Your 875 (6 ?) 13, December 25th.
Provision of Indian tents European privates is considered necessary for
Indian Troops and followers by the D. M. S. Majority of opinions of Corps and
Divisions is also in favour of this provision. If sweepers w r ere all accommodated
in j. 60 lbs. tents w r e could reduce our demands for Indian tents E. P. by 650.
The climate in this country is not similar to that of other theatres of war in
which Indian troops have operated. Duration of war and time variations in
climate involve strain on constitution of Indian troops wffiich it is considered
essential to mitigate by adequate protection during trying hot weather.
444
Working copy to Q. M G.
Capy to M. S C.,D, G. O., G. S. (S. D. 4).