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‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 41. PART I. (From 1st to 31st December 1917).’ [‎50r] (104/556)

The record is made up of 1 volume (274 folios). It was created in 30 Aug 1917-5 Dec 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. .

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In commenting on the above, General Marshall states that he does not pro-
80752 pose to expand his supply organisation
or increase ordnance and other stores
until something definite is known, as he looks upon the junction of the
Russians with our force as very doubtful.
7. General conclusions. —There has been no material change in the situa
tion since last week.
(ltd.) F. E. G. T(albot), —3-12-17.
The effect of our Syrian operations is making itself felt, and it looks
as if the enemy’s main effort for the next month or so will be directed to
staying the fight there.
There are already indications that his resistance is hardening as our power
to break it diminishes.
The approaching withdrawal of Russia and the shortening of the Italians
battle front will affect the balance of force in the European rather than the
Asiatic theatre ; but the need for organised forces is enhanced and our efforts
to prepare them should increase.
(Sd.) A. S(e:een),—3-12-17.
Indications are that Ealkenhsyn intends to throw all his disposable forces
into Palestine, where he may attempt an offensive. His communications
eastwards to Mosul appear to be even more backward than we thought; but
there is not much intelligence reaching us regarding the development of
the Euphrates which requires careful watching, lest later a surprise be
attempted.
The Russian armistice seems likely to release hostile troops from that
front, as well as the Turks from the Caucasus. Hone of the former seem
likely to leave Europe, but the latter may be used in Iraq or Persia. The
greater enemy strength available for Western front will create a demand for
British troops from “ H,” and we should be prepared to replace the 13th
Division in case of a call. It is to be hoped that the Chief of the Imperial
General Staff’s reply to our enquiry about the future employment of the 19th
Division will clear this up.
(ltd) G. M. K(iiikpatkick), —4-12-17.
19

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 1 and 15 December 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 folios 3-17. The volume concerns:

  • Appreciations [reports] and intelligence summaries from the Directorate of Military Operations dated 2 December 1917 (ff 49-50), 9 December (ff 156-157)
  • Reinforcements for Force D, including supplies of medical officers, horses, mules, and railway staff
  • Captured arms and ammunition (ff 159-165)
  • Movements of Turkish [Ottoman] and German troops
  • Exchange of prisoners with Turks at Berne
  • Supplies to Force D, including the problems of supplying petrol
  • Attack on the enemy on 3 December on Jebel Hamrin [Jabal Hamrin]
  • The possibility of postponing the dredging of the Shatt-el-Arab [Shatt al-Arab]
  • Transfer of the 7th division in Mesopotamia to Egypt
  • Occupation of Qurah Tappah [Qarah Tapah], Qizil Robat [As Sa‘diyah], and Khanaqin
  • Supply and transport ships
  • Reports from the Royal Flying Corps of machines in service and pilots available
  • Concerns over supplies reaching the Turks from Koweit [Kuwait]
  • A scheme to supply frozen meat to British troops
  • Correspondence between Mr A Monteath and the Admiralty on the subject of the Thomson Cherry Commission enquiring into shipping between India and Mesopotamia
  • A proposal to form a Directorate of Irrigation
  • Post offices and returned letters
  • Sentences given to members of the Ghadr [Ghadar] party captured in Baghdad.

The following tables appear:

  • Distribution and composition of Force D, including details of: lines of communication; general organisation; and names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders (ff 18-31)
  • Ration strength of Force D on 3 November 1917 (ff 42-46), 17 November (ff 111-113), 10 November 1917 (ff 137-140)
  • Weekly return of sick and wounded dated 17 November (f 65), 24 November (ff 152-153)
  • Distribution of the Turkish Army on 4 December 1917 (ff 70-72), 11 December 1917 (ff 180-182)
  • Distribution of Force D on 11 November 1917 (ff 76-80)
  • State of supplies on 1 December 1917 (ff 86-87, 116-117), 8 December (ff 187-189), 9 December (ff 268-269)
  • Monthly distribution report of motor vehicles on 1 October 1917 (ff 128-134)
  • Strength return for Force D on 27 October 1917 (ff 97-99), 9 December 1917 (ff 190-192), 3 November (ff 262-264).
Extent and format
1 volume (274 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 276; 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-274; these numbers are printed and are located in the bottom centre of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Dimensions: 21 x 33cm

Written in
English in Latin script
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‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 41. PART I. (From 1st to 31st December 1917).’ [‎50r] (104/556), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3289, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100140786959.0x000069> [accessed 17 July 2024]

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