![‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [‎124r] (252/442)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000214/IOR_L_MIL_17_5_3294_0252.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.)’ [‎124r] (252/442)")
‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART II. (From 15th to 28th February 1918.)’ [124r] (252/442)
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.
IB*
Telegram P,, No. X.- 6708, dated 23rd February 1918.
(Despatched 11-30 a.m., received 8-15 p.m., 23rd February 1918.)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Forte “D,”
To—The Chief of the General Staff,
Priority.
Dunsterville wires from Kasvin, Number 25-D. } February 20th. Begins'
The situation at Enzeli compels my withdrawal to Hamadan where I wil A
await further orders. Road from Hamadan to Enzeli, which is 287 miles
long, is crowded with disorderly Bolshevic soldiers. The road from Kasvin to
Enzeli (142 miles) runs through Jangali territory mostly narrow defiles and
later on thick jungle on both sides. The Bolshevics and Red Guards, about
3,000 with guns and gunboat, hold the Port of Kazian. They are very
friendly with Jangalis and actively support them with arms and information.
Various Austrian and German agents are working with former. Telegraphs,
wireless, petrol, and all ships at Enzeli are controlled by Bolshevics. From
the time of our arrival we were virtually prisoners in their hands and they
picketed my house and every steamer. I was present at three meetings of the
Bevolutionary Committee but failed to persuade them to alter their point of
view which is, that the Caucasus are their enemy and any attempt by
non-Russians to assist them will be resisted with armed force. They further
stated that until I returned, their attitude towards my party would remain
hostile. They knew or guessed the object of my mission having had news of
APPENDIX 463
[By. No. 14875)
it from the Caucasus, not from this side. British Consul Resht informed me
that Kuchi Khan had arranged to attack my party on the way to Enzeli if
Russians would remain neutral; tl e attack was not carried out as Russians
refused ; but he informed me officially, through the British Consul, that he
will attack all English parties. His armed men are posted along the roads and
are ready to act, but we passed through them unmolested. 1. consider that^
until situation improves, this road must be regarded as entirely closed. X
withdrew from Enzeli and through Jangali territory with difficulty but
without bloodshed, but do not think it could be done twice. The situation w r as
so critical at one time, owing to the likelihood of our being made prisoneis and
searched, that we were obliged to destroy all papers by burning them. 1
was informed by the Revolutionary Committee that General Baratoff is to be
arrested and tried.
They are actively opposed to the raising of a Volunteer Force in Persia
and they intend to break the present organization, their policy being the
complete evacuation of Persia by all white races Goldsmith, who had pre-
ceded me to Baku, has been ordered to Tiflis to join Pike.
Addressed C. I. G. S., repeated G. O C., Baghdad. B/ids.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copv to M. S. C., M. S. V., A. G., Q M G., G. S. (M O. 3, S. I). 1,
S. D. 3).
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.)’ [124r] (252/442), 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_100140957927.0x000035> [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