‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 41. PART I. (From 1st to 31st December 1917).’ [‎200r] (404/556)

L
Tenth Labour Corps.—Overseers 2, clerks 2, carpenters 10, smiths L
masons 6, labourers 25, bhisties Mohammadan 2, bhisties Hindu 1, langris
Mokammadan 1, langris Hindu 2, sweepers 3, total 58.
Eleventh Labour Corps.—Overseers 2, carpenters 15, smiths 10, masons 5,
labourers 110, bhisties Mohammadan 2, biiisties Hindu 2, langris Hindu 1,
total 117.
Twelfth Labour Corps.—B Os. 2, overseers 2, sub-overseers 11, clerks 2
carpenters 10, smiths 5, masons 6, labourers 67, bhisties Mohammadan 5,
bhisties Hindu 3, langris Mohammadan 5, langris Hindu 1, sweepers 1,
total 126.
This demand cancels all previous demands and is based on assumption
that reinforcements asked for will arrive by end of January. All men whose
contract expires up to and including end of January have been taken into
account and personnel for their replacement have been included in above figures.
Following due to return to India during February : —
Seventh Labour Corps.—1 carpenter, 4 masons and 3 labourers. Last boat
for which credit has been given “Bamora ” arrived 9th December. Ho credit
given for promises made your telegram 82760, dated 6th December,
Working copy to A. G.
Copy to M. S. C., Q. M. G., G. S. (S. D. 3, M. O. 1).
Telegram P., No. X.-5287, dated 12th December 1917. APPENDIX 249
(Despatched 2-5 p m., received 7 a.m., 13th December 1917.) [Dy. No. 84289)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,”
Baghdad,
To—The Secretary, Mar Office, London.
(Repeated to the Chief of the General Staff.)
Your 46904 (Dy. No. 81486) of November 30th,
At present it is not easyHo estimate the yield of barley, wheat and fodder
accurately. Between July and September next, so far as can be foreseen
after making provision for the wants of the civilian inhabitants and for seed,
about 100,000 tons should be available for military purposes. About three-
fourths of this would be barley and one-fourth wheat. The grass farms are
estimated to yield 35,000 tons of hay, but besides that, if we can overcome the
difficulties of"collection and baling, large quantities of bhoosa will be available.
Summer crops of maize, jowari and lentils will be available and should the
winter rains be good an additional area of barley and wheat should be cultiva
ted, but no forecast of either of these is at present possible. I think that you
should obtain at the end of February and each succeeding month further
estimates. Taking the strength of this force at one cavalry division plus one
cavalry brigade, and 5 Indian divisions wdth L. of O. Troops our daily require
ments are : Atta 140 tons, flour 46 tons and grain 470 tons equally divided
between oats, barley and gram. On the assumption that we can mill the
wheat, it wall be seen that the year’s requirements in flour wall be met. Thero
will be a* surplus of barley, and fodder
*B y one change. should be adequate should the above-
mentioned conditions be realised. It will be necessary to ship atta, oats, gram
and all other supplies.
Working copy to Q. M. G.
Copy toM. S. C., G. S. (M. O.l).
Word Code telegram No. 12248, dated 12 th December 191 7. APPENDIX 250
^Despatched 5-58 p.m., received 8 a.m., 13th December 1917.) (l)y. No. 84295)
From—The Deputy Director, Supplies aud Transport Base, Basrah,
To—The War Section, Army Headquarters.
Supply. Order of urgency for week ending December 18th.
Bice.
Biscuits.