‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 41. PART I. (From 1st to 31st December 1917).’ [‎240r] (484/556)

_ In response to this request, I received a visit from Colonel Bernardo, the
Senior Medical Officer in Bombay, who showed me his files and demonstrated to
me that all the arrangements rested in Basrah and that ships were ordered to
be sent up as circumstances called for, the balance of the ships lay in Bombay
waiting orders.
He also explained to me that no one in Bombay could forecast the prob
able requirements in any given month and showed me from his file that the
Army Commander in Mesopotamia had forecasted 16,000 cases for August
whereas only 7,000 had been carried in that month.
I realised that none but the Army Commander was in a position to make
any forecast and that even any forecast he made must, of necessity, be uncertain
of accomplishment. Under these circumstances, I deferred reporting to you
until after I had visited Basrah.
When in Basrah I consulted with Colonel Pell, the Senior Medical Officer
there, he was both friendly and sympathetic in the matter. He showed me the
returns showing the cases evacuated and explained that now that they had
15,000 beds (I think he gave 15, OuO as the number of beds) in Basrah and
Amarah the numbers evacuated were falling as orders had been issued that no
cases that could be cured in a month were to be evacuated and that this was
the reason of the reduction in the numbers evacuated.
It seemed to me that all the medical officers with whom I discussed
matters realised that tonnage was lying idle and, to a certain extent, were sym
pathetic in the matter of reduction of hospital ships, but I also got the impres
sion that the aftermath of the various enquiries into things out here was that
all were inclined to be over cautious and that no one cared to take the respon
sibility ’of recommending or even supporting the reduction in the number of
these ships. The above are only the impressions I formed and I state them
for what they may be w r orth.
On my return to Bombay I found that orders had been issued to convert
the seven small hospital ships into ambulance transports and that one is al
ready under process of conversion, also that it is intended to try the experiment
with this one for a voyage before proceeding with the conversion of the others
As this conversion of hospital ships into ambulance transports is not only
the best but the most effective of the suggestions that I have seen made, it seems
to me that it might be as well to leave it at that for the present at any rate.
Releasing of large tonnage steamers.—1 have still to report to you as to
how far large tonnage steamers can be released by China coasters. This is
somewffiat a difficult if not an impossible question to answer for it all depends
upon how much heavy aw 7 kw ard cargo has to be shipped and this is constantly
a varying quantity. For the present, all the China tonnage is fully employed
and only such of the large tonnage steamers as are required to make up the
necessary total tonnage, are retained. I will, hovrever, after the mail closes, go
more fully into the figures. The number of barges, launches, railway rolling
stock including locomotives to be shipped, continue in undiminished quantities
and whilst this goes on a certain number of steamers with large hatches are
necessary.
I have pressed both in Karachi and also in Bombay the necessity of
utilising the deck space in the China coasters as far as is possible for these
awkward packages even though it means placing the packages across the hatch
ways and to the extent that this can he carried out, large steamer tonnage can
be released.
This letter, I am sorry, has run into some length, I have tried to keep it
short but it is difficult to explain the position without going into some details.
I only hope I may have made myself clear.
I propose sending you a telegram after having discussed matters with
Colonel Thomson stating what has been arranged and I will end that telegram
by mentioning that I propose, unless otherwise instructed, returning to England
by the S. S. “Mslwa 55 leaving Bombay about 22nd October so that unless
otherwise ordered I should be home shortly after this letter and explain
verbally any matters that I may have failed to make clear.
I would have deferred writing this letter until after my interview with
Colonel Thomson but for the fact that the mail leaves to-morrow morning
whereas Colonel Thomson does not reach Bombay till to-morrow* evening.