![‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [‎123r] (250/442)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000214/IOR_L_MIL_17_5_3294_0250.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.)’ [‎123r] (250/442)")
‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [123r] (250/442)
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 X.-6700, dated 22nd February 1918. APPENDIX 460
(Despatched 7-45 p.m., received 10-30 a.m., 23rd February 1918.) [Dy. No. 14872)
prom—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Baghdad,
To—London.
(Repeated Delhi, Caucasus Military Agent, Egypt, Hamadan, Tehran.)
Reference telegram from Chief of the General Staff, Delhi, 13480,
Febuary 19tb, stating that a letter dated October 18th from 1st Battalion, 14th
Regiment, at Kazi Koi had been received in India, consider unit in question
more probably battalion 14th Depot Begiment reported in May 1917 at Kazi
Koi. Caucasus Military Agent’s 313 of February 19th locating fifth division
10 miles south Akhlat on west shore of lake Van supports this view. Lines
(of) most probable location other divisions second army believed as under.
8th North Mush as its location in Jericho area {vide Egypt’s 5151-S.),
December 31st, has not been confirmed l lth at or in transit to Aleppo l'2th
Kighi-Oghnat region.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3). \ „
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. O. 1).
Telegram P., No. M.-24, dated 22nd February 1918. APPENDIX 461
(Despatched 11-25 a.m., received 3-45 p.m., 23rd February 1918.) [by. bo. 14875)
From —Colonel Redl,
To—Tbe General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Baghdad.
(Repeated Chief of the General Staff, Delhi, reference his telegram 13805.)
Available information here re war prisoners in Turkestan is as follows:
Russians variously estimate total at 3,000 and 50,000. Proportion of officers
is exceedingly small and great majority are Austrians, Turkish prisoner re
captured here, estimated that there were 12,000 prisoners at Taskhend last
November, of these 5,000 were Germans and 7,000 Austrians. There were
only about 30 Turks and Russian military Agent confirms the fact that very
few Turks were interned in Turkestan. Majority of prisoners in Transcaspia
were transferred to Turkestan during 1916 and probably only a few hundreds
remain in Transcaspia, but estimation is difficult as since revolution and
particularly lately they have enjoyed complete freedom. Men are scattered
over country earning their livelihood as they can. Prisoners camps, as such
no longer exist. Commandant Askabad recently confessed his entire ignorance
of number in that town. XFehave heard of few escapes to Persia latterly, but
we have just been informed of 15 Austrians at Bujnurd who state that more
are on the way j and the recent use of this route, presumably for Tehran, is
confirmed from another source. Doubtless immediate cause is withdrawal of
Russian troops Asterbad and region.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3)
Copy to M. S. C., E. & P., G. S. (M. O. 1).
Telegram P., No. X.- 6711, dated 23rd February 1918. APPENDIX 462
(Despatched 11-45 a m., received 9-30 p.m., 23rd February 1918.) [by. No. 14874)
From—Tbe General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Baghdad,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
On February 22nd General Dunsterville reached Kasvin and he hopes to
leave for Hamadan on February 24th.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O 1).
Copy to M. S. C., A. G. Q. M. G., M. S. \G. S. (M. O. 3, S. D. 1).
337
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.)’ [123r] (250/442), 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_100140957927.0x000033> [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