‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. VOLUME 51. PART I. (From 1st to 15th October 1918.)’ [‎89r] (182/208)

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Town to enemy were opened by Armenians, but this was in compliance with my
advice to them when I saw that the fall of the town was imminent. Undoubtedly-
this resulted in a threat by the Fleet against Armenians but I exolained to the
Fleet that the negotiations had be j n opened at my suggestion. That the Baku
Russians were disgusted with Armenians is a fact. However t is not a fact and
there is nothin? in my icports to suggest such a presumption that Baku Govern-
mf nt placed shipping at my disposal. They forbade m> departure at all and
ships moved off with lights extinguished under fire from Guard Ship, jttnds
3. The account refe*red to in paragraph 1 is as follows (X 9387 June 6‘h).
In June, Armenians except at Baku and Turkish Armenians fighting with
Assyrians in Salmas and Sulduz districts, appeared to have accepted amnesty
Iro n Turks.
There we.e about 10,000 Assyrians and Turkish Armenians fighting fo r
existence near Lake Urmia and 8 000 Armenians in Baku from who n mate ial
assistance might be expected, but assurance of money and troops was required to
hearten people of Baku, who were wavering in danger (X-666 July 29th) (Dy.
No. 59=;ot). On July 25th a new Government largely Armenians set in Baku
begged British aid in troops, instructors and Staff Officers of which a small
instalment is desired at once. (X-704, July 30th) (Dv. No. 604939 About
17th July, in face of attacks, Armenian Troops at Salyah and Shemakha re hed
on Baku but were moved out apain by Bicharakov to Ajikabuh The reason given
by Armenians for this retirement is that they were awaiting support from British
to stimulate new troops to hold Baku.
(X.-960 August 7th) (Diary No. 62304). At the beginning of Au?iist
favourable terms of surrender offered by enemy but no reply sent by Baku
Dictatorship. Troops at Baku belonged to five different political organisations
without a Central Control or Intelligence system (X-<o62 August u'th) (Dy. i o
63248). There is total lack of organisation. Both Staff and Regimental
Officers as well as British troops are urgently required.
Caucasus Military Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. wired on August 8th that Bolsheviks ai d
Armenians could never hold out against more Germans andf lurks and .wou
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come to an arrangement. Also that Armenian Party was using British for its
own political ends and was entirely unreliable.
On August 13th Dunsterville reported he was certain troops at Baku could
not defend town against serious interference. On August 17th he also reported
that Baku Troops had fallen back from Dygia instead ot advancing against
5 urks at Mashtagi but later on re-occupied Dygia with following casualties 30th
killed, 100 wounded. Dunsterville further reported on August 28th that several
Armenian Bitralions after successful attack on Fatmai on 18th A gu U
refused to continue fighting and returned to their homes. No re'iat ili y
cruM be placed on Armenian troops and until they are organised cnly a few
British troops stood between Baku and destruction.
(S. 1455 August 22nd) (Dy. No. 6697S). Dunsterville on Augustt 7th
clearly informed Pteddent o f Armenian National Council that unless inhabitants
and troops of Baku gave their whole-hearted support town could rot be saved
and tha‘ British could not undertake entire defence of Town (X.-1672 August 28th
(Dv. No. 638 5) The morale of the troops gradually improved and troops were
leaving the trenches le-s frequently. The tendency was to think that arrival of
British has saved Baku and that no further effort was required of inhabitants or
local troops. (X 1787 September 2nd) (Dy. No. 69907). Report that no
reliance could be placed on these troops at present. They are unsteady under
fi e and disobey orders Their presence is more dangerous to us than to enemy
(X-1827 September 3rd) (Dy. No. 70434). About 3000 Turks attacked Dygia
Mashtagi on September 3rd and Russians and Armenians retired at once.
(X-18854 (1354 V) Septe mber 5th (Dy. No. 70-57). The question of surren
der was discussed Central Caspian by Government but no decision was arrived
a\ The Armenian National Council at Tiflis wired advising surrender and that
Arzumnanov, a prominent leader at Tiflis, should come to Baku to negotiate.
(X-1843 September 4th) (Dy. No. 7 ° 735 )’ Report from Dunsterville state 5
that in Baku he had 900 British and 100 Russian Troops on whom he could rely,
the remainder of the army being Armenian and of no account as a fighting force
against attack.