![‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [‎96r] (196/442)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000214/IOR_L_MIL_17_5_3294_0196.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [‎96r] (196/442)")
‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [96r] (196/442)
The record is made up of 1 volume (217 folios). It was created in 12 Jan 1918-28 Feb 1918. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
(Dy. No. 14278)
Telegram P., No. D. G< B.-712-Gipher, d^ted 21 st February 1918.
(Despatched 3-59 p.5f. } received 1-15 a.m., dated 22nd February 1918)
From—The Director of Ordnance Services, Base Alexandria,
To—The War Section, Army Headquarters, Delhi.
(Repeated Ordnance Officer, Karachi, Deputy Director of Ordnance Services, Lines of Com-
munication. Basrah, and Director of Ordnance Services, lorce D, Baghdad.)
u Anhui** which sailed from Suez for Karachi on February 18th has on
board 7,428 coils of barbed wire for Basrah.
Working copy to D. G. 0., Q. M. G.
Telegram No. 0105, dated 18th February 1918. APPENDIX 428
(Despatched 7-45 a.m., 19th February 1918, received 7-45 p«m., 19th (.%. No. 14281)
February 1918.)
(Received in War Section, 21st February 1918.)
From— The Deputy Director of Railways, Basrah,
To—The Secretary, Indian Munitions Board, Delhi.
(Repeated Director of Railways, Baghdad.)
Eeference C. G. S., Delhi, telegram to G. H. Q., Baghdad (Dy. No. 12298),
regarding Lieutenant-Colonel Thorpe proceeding to India. He wdll probably
leave here within a week and will bring with him full list of shops, machines,
and plant required for Loco. Department, both in main shops and at running
sheds. It is hoped that it will be found possible to provide the machines and
plant which Lieutenant-Colonel Thorpe may select as those best meeting Meso
potamian requirements. It is also proposed to send an officer of the Engineer
ing Department, to work in conjunction with Lieutenant-Colonel Thorpe with
a view to selecting any suitable buildings now in process of manufacture which
may be available for transfer or advising as to design of new buildings. This
officer would also, if approved, act as Inspecting Officer of any orders for mate
rials or buildings which might be placed and for which it is hoped you may
be able to arrange first priority. Amongst the building requirements are 400
feet extension to present erecting shop supplied by Burn & Go. under reference
W B -197 and 2 additional 30-ton electric overhead travelling cranes.
2,000 feet of 40 sheds approx. 23 feet at eaves. 300 feet same span out to
take 3*ton electric overhead travelling cranes 2 of wffiich are required. 21IU
feet 50-foot shed. Also 2,625 feet of 25-foot shed for running sheds.
engines are now stopped for shops and 14 more require shopping^which cannot
be stopped. Four of those already stopped will be sent to India for repairs.
It is not proposed to dismantle these and shall be glad if question of sending
engines from India erected instead of dismantled can be reconsidered. It is
understood some broad gauge lines have special trucks for carrying metre
gauge engines fully erected.
"Working copy to M. B. (Q M. G).
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (S. D. 1).
Word Code telegram No. 4627-R., dated 21st February 1918. APPENDIX 429
(Received in War Section, 21st February 1918.) M?. 14282)
From—The Secretary, Indian Munitions Board, Delhi,
To—The Director of Railways, Baghdad.
(Repeated to the Director of Railways, Basrah,)
Deference your telegram 18th February, 0105 (Dy. No. 14281). Please
advise Lieutenant-Colonel Thorpe and Engineering Officer to come to Delhi
on arrival India. As regards shipment of engines fully erected, special broad
gauge engine carrying truck is being used to take to Bombay certain of the
for B ” class engines under supply. In connection with return of 4 engines for
repairs, will advise you early maximum height of load such a truck can carry
from docks to shops in Bombay. Engines shipped from Eangoon will have
wheels only removed.
Eecord copy to M. B., Q. M. G.
Copy to M S. C., G. S. (S. D. 1).
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 15 and 28 February 1918. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, tables, memoranda, and letters.
An index to the contents of this volume can be found at the start of IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3293. The volume concerns:
- Military personnel issues, including: recruitment, reinforcements, and promotions
- The supply of food, construction materials, oil, ordnance, and other items to Force D
- Shortages of copper, brass, and iron in India
- River and road traffic in Mesopotamia
- Evacuation of sick and wounded Force D soldiers
- Attitudes of the residents of Basrah [Basra] to British occupation
- Approval of a scheme to dredge Lake Hammar
- British aerial bombardment of enemy camps near Hit
- Arrest of Sulaiman Mirza [Sulaymān Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. ] by British troops near Khanikin [Khanaqin]
- Movement of Turkish [Ottoman], Austrian, and German military units
- Conversion of Mesopotamian river fleet and railways to use oil instead of coal
- Proposal for Force D to adopt a ‘purely defensive role’ in Mesopotamia and support the British offensive in Palestine
- Construction of telegraph lines and railways in Mesopotamia and Persia [Iran]
- Location and number of prisoners of war captured by the Russian Army
- Matters relating to Dunsterforce, including: departure of officers, soldiers, and motor vehicles from Baghdad to join Dunsterforce; retreat of Dunsterforce to Hamadan due to Bolshevik and Jangali [Jangalī] opposition; and proposals for British military action against the Jangali forces in Gilan
- Proposed occupation of key roads in Persia by British troops
- Negotiations between British representatives and the Persian Government
- Efforts by the British to ‘secure co-operation between Kurds and Armenians’ in Persia
- Reports of ‘disorders and small massacres’ between Muslims and Armenians in the Caucasus, and Armenian concerns about imminent ‘massacres on a large scale’.
The volume also contains:
- Distribution and composition of Force D, including details of: lines of communication; and general organisation (ff 171-176)
- Strength return of Force D on 1 December 1917 (ff 136-142), 8 December 1917 (ff 145-151), 15 December 1917 (ff 206-213), 5 January 1918 (ff 6-8), 12 January 1918 (ff 16-18), 19 January 1918 (ff 48-50), 26 January 1918 (ff 155-156)
- Report of number of pilots, balloon officers, and aircraft available for service in Mesopotamia, 14 February 1918 (f 11), 21 February 1918 (f 97)
- Returns of sick and wounded dated 2 February 1918 (ff 19-20), 9 February 1918 (ff 83-84)
- State of supplies on 9 February 1918 (ff 20-22), 16 February 1918 (ff 76-77, 118-119), 23 February 1918 (ff 195-196)
- Ration strength of Force D, 12 January 1917 (ff 30-36), 19 January 1918 (ff 157-160), 26 January 1918 (ff 36-39), 2 February 1918 (ff 152-154)
- Distribution of the Turkish Army dated 19 February 1918 (ff 66-68), 26 February 1918 (ff 185-187)
- Distribution Report showing number and condition of motor vehicles with Force D, January 1 1918 (ff 108-117).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (217 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 219; 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 3-217; 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 33 cm
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [96r] (196/442), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3294, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100140957926.0x0000c5> [accessed 28 February 2025]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3294
- Title
- ‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:218v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence