![‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [‎101r] (206/442)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000214/IOR_L_MIL_17_5_3294_0206.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.)’ [‎101r] (206/442)")
‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [101r] (206/442)
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.
Telegram P., No. 52731-Cipher, dated 21 st February 1918. APPENDIX 436
(Despatched 7-5 p.m., received 3-15 p.m., 22 nd February 1918.) No. 14456)
From—The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, London,
To—The Commander-in-Chief in India, Delhi.
(Repeated General Officer Commanding, Force “ D/ J Baghdad.)
The following recommendations are made by General Smuts :•—
The vigorous prosecutions of the campaign in Falestine and the adoption
of a purely defensive r61e in Mesopotamia and that Mesopotamia should feed
Palestine with reinforcements from the surplus to its reasonable requirements
for defence.
The infantry divisions, one of which should be the 13th Division, one
cavalry brigade and 6 batteries, 6-inch howitzers, should be transferred from
Mesopotamia to Palestine. My view is that if we maintain an offensive in
Palestine there will be little chance of any attack in force in the direction of
Baghdad and that the force in Mesopotamia might he reduced. I should be
glad to have your views fully as to the extent of the reduction you consider
safe, in view of the probability of future developments.
Working copy to G. S. (M. Q. 1).
Copy to M. S. C, A. G., G. M. G., M. S. V.
Telegram P., No. 399, dated 20th February 1918. APPENDIX 437
(Despatched 5-45 p.m., received 9. a m., 21 st February 1918 .) No, 14468)
(Received in War Section, 22nd February 1918 )
From—The Secretary of State for India,
To—The Viceroy (Foreign and Political Department).
(Repeated to Cox.)
His Majesty’s Government regard re-erection of Kermanshah-Kasrishirin
telegraph as urgent military necessity and are authorising General Officer
Commanding, Mesopotamia, to put work in hand at once if he concurs.
This is with reference to Cox’s telegrams 575, January 18th (Dy. No,
4969) arid 1100, February 3rd (Dy No, 9412),
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S. G, G. S. (M. O. 3, S. D. 1, S. D. 2),
Telegram P., No. 52727-Cipher, dated 21st February 1918.
(Despatched 7-15 p.m., received 3 p.m., 22nd February 1918).
From—The Director, Military Intelligence, London,
To—Colonel Rowlandson.
(Repeated to Mesopotamia and India)
Can you explain what Dunsterville means by “ Russian situation being
impossible? ,, Does this refer to situation at Baku and in the Caucasus or to
chaos at Enzeli and impossibility of sea transport. If to former, on what is
his opinion based ? Reports from Pike though not very hopeful by no means
represent situation as hopeless. Would it be possible for Dunsterville an
subsequent parties to reach Tiflis via Zenjan and Tabriz if sea route is
impracticable.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S. C , M. S. V., G. S. (M. O. 3, S. D. 1).
appendix 438
{Dy. No 13484)
Word Code telegram No. 14)492, dated 22nd February 1918. APPENDIX 43d
(Despatched 7 p.m.) No. 14492)
From-—The Chief of the General Staff,
To—General, Baghdad.
Reference correspondence ending your X.-6641 {By. No. 3863), Feb
ruary 20 th.
When General Altham arrives please adjust matter with him.
Record copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M, S. C., A. G., 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
Use and share this item
- Share this item
‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [101r] (206/442), 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_100140957927.0x000007> [accessed 30 December 2024]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100140957927.0x000007
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100140957927.0x000007">‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [‎101r] (206/442)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100140957927.0x000007"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000214/IOR_L_MIL_17_5_3294_0206.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000214/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- 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