![‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 33. PART II. (From 16th to 30th April 1917.)’ [‎83r] (170/320)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x000201/IOR_L_MIL_17_5_3275_0170.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 33. PART II. (From 16th to 30th April 1917.)’ [‎83r] (170/320)")
‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 33. PART II. (From 16th to 30th April 1917.)’ [83r] (170/320)
The record is made up of 1 volume (156 folios). It was created in 3 Mar 1917-30 Apr 1917. 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.
that a considerable proportion of races other than Turks may be comprised in
the 590,000 troops in the field army and 510,000 reserves referred to in your
above quoted telegram. Prom the point of view of the military value of any
large concentration intended for the re-capture of Baghdad, such proportion
would be an important factor. This is so because the value of Jews ami
Christians is negligible as fighting soldiers in the Turkish cause, and the mili
tary value of Arab and Ottoman soldiery has been still further circumscribed by
the Sheriff s successes. Furthermore, the men from Bosnia, Herzegovina, Serbia,
Albania and Bulgaria are of appreciably lower fighting value than Anatolians
or European Turks, and they exhibited here a lack of enthusiasm for Turkish
cause.
With reference to the grand total of 1,100,000 referred to in your 29477
(Dy. No. 10502) what proportion (outside the 100,000 recruits you quote) do
these Bosnians, Albanians, etc., form ?
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. G, G. S. (M, O. 1).
Telegram P., No. Nil, dated 21st April 1917. APPENDIX 326
(Despatched 4-30 p.m., received 3-50 p.m., 22nd April 1917.) (Tty. No. 26326)
(Received in War Section, 23rd April 1917.)
From—The Secretary of State for India,
To—The Viceroy (Foreign and Political Department).
(Repeated Cox.)
Cox’s telegram dated 8th April {Dy- No. 23078). Appointment of Cla-y
ton is being proceeded with at once, hut as proposed by Cox designation will
he held over. It is also proposed, unless Cox sees strong objection, to proceed
with appointment of ofiBcers named in Wingate’s telegram No. 443 of April
16th (A. B. TV. S.) {see By No 22707) repeated to Cox. Knox, in His
Majesty’s Government opinion will be more suitably employed at Basrah as at
present.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. O. 3).
Telegram No. Inwater-1247, dated 23rd April 1917. APPENDIX 327
(Despatched 11-25 a.m., received 5 p.m., 23rd April 1917.) (Tty. No. 26353)
p roin —The Director, Inland Water Transport, Force “ D,” Basrah,
To—The Director, Inland Water Transport, London.
(Repeated Chief of the General Staff and Inland Water Transport, Simla.)
Craft commissioned for week ending April 21st.
Paddle steamer P. S.-60.
H. S -8.
Steam launch L. 69.
Motor launch M. 205.
Biver barges 133 and 533. Total 2.
Port barges 56, 32.
Admiralty pontoon from Abadan numbered port 80. Total 3.
Working copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M. S. C, G. S (M O. 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 16 and 30 April 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, letters, and memoranda containing instructions and reports.
The volume mostly relates to:
- Supplies for Force D, including: weapons, ammunition, road transport, and rations
- Plans for moving reinforcements between Mesopotamia, Egypt, and France
- Construction and transportation of rivercraft from India to Mesopotamia
- Proposals to store ammunition locally rather than in India
- Details of tonnage [amounts of cargo] transported on railways and rivers
- Matters relating to railways construction
- Turkish [Ottoman] troops: movements; status at various lines in Mesopotamia; weapon supplies; plans to retire to Mosul; and extracts of distribution for week ending 17 April (ff 30-31) and week ending 24 April (ff 96-97)
- Discussions about Force D providing food and grain to the Russian forces under General Pavloff [Pavlov]
- Cordial attitude of the Mujtahids of Kerbela [Karbala] and Nejef [An-Najaf] towards touring British political officers
- Issues relating to staffing
- Intelligence from the Caucasus Military Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
- Intelligence from the General Officer Commanding, Egypt, especially in relation to the Turkish 18th Army Corps
- Updates from the Tigris line, especially around Samarra [Samarra’] and Istabulat [Istablat], including a resumé of operations on the Tigris since the arrival of the Russians
- Status of the Russian force at Kasr-i-Shirin [Qasr-e Shirin]
- Alleged misconduct of the 3rd Brahmans and subsequent military court proceedings
- Details of the present telegraph system
- Communications with the Russian force in Persia [Iran]
- Information on ships in various Indian ports and at Basrah [Basra]
- Updates on action at Hit
- Transport required to evacuate sick and wounded soldiers
- Discussions about the Press representatives' tour of Mesopotamia and where they should be permitted to visit
- Royal Flying Corps reports
- Discussions about consolidating British influence in the Baghdad Vilayet [province under the Ottoman Empire]
- Impact of Russian inactivity and unavailability on British operations
- Government of India's response to the War Cabinet's decision regarding future administration and control of Mesopotamia and Arabia.
The volume also contains:
- Distribution of troops on 24 March (ff 20-25)
- 'Detailed statement of ration strength' of Force D on 25 March (ff 58-61) and on 1 April (ff 121-123)
- Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia and Persia on 22 April (ff 74-75) and on 29 April (ff 131-133)
- Field return for Force D showing number of personnel, animals, weapons, and transport vehicles (ff 139-153).
A summary and index to the contents of this volume can be found at the start of IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3274.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (156 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 158; 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 3-156; 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 33cm
- 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 33. PART II. (From 16th to 30th April 1917.)’ [83r] (170/320), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3275, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100141967848.0x0000ab> [accessed 29 October 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3275
- Title
- ‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 33. PART II. (From 16th to 30th April 1917.)’
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:62v, 63v, 65v:69v, 71v:157v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence