‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART I. (From 1st to 14th November 1917.)’ [40r] (84/500)
The record is made up of 1 volume (246 folios). It was created in 4 Jan 1918-14 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.-6239, dated 31st January 1918. APPENDIX 18
(Despatched 3-10 p.m., received 12-30 p.m., 1st February 1918.) {Du* No, 8536)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Baghdad,
To—-London.
(Repeated Chief of the General Staff, Delhi.)
This situation at Nejef may now be considered as settled. On 17th instant
the chief offending Sheikh absconded and another Sheikh has since run away
in preference to delivering himself up. The two remaining Sheikhs, who have
been pardoned, are being held responsible for the good behaviour of the inhabi
tants. The fine of money and rifles has been paid. The above is in continua
tion of my X.-6071 (Dy- No. 5733).
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M. O. 3).
Telegram P., No. 51398-Cipher-Q. M. G.-3, dated 31st January 1918. APPENDIX 19
(Received 2 p.m., 1st February 1918.) {Dy- No. 8541)
From—The Secretary, War Office, London,
To—The Deputy Adjutant General, 3rd Echelon, Basrah.
(Repeated Commander-in-Chief in India, Delhi.)
Your R.-5278 of 21st January (Dy. No. 5558).
It is not proposed to take any action as regards demand made in your
R.-5182 (R.-5181 ?) of 9th January (Dy. No. 2779) and this in view ol fact
that 578-M. T. details are en route from England and 169 arc en route liom
India.
Working copy to A. G.
Copy to M. S. C., Q. M. G., G. S. (S, D. 1, S. D. 3).
Telegram P., No. X.-625S, dated 31st January 1918. APPENDIX 20
(Despatched 10-30 p.m., received 2-30 p.m., 1st February 1918.) {Dy. No. 8543)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Baghdad,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
(Repeated Basrah.)
Continuation my X.-6198, January 29th (Dy. No. 7675).
Can you please expedite despatch of rolled steel beams which, amongst
other outstanding Works requirements, are urgently wanted. Certain works
must be completed before the floods begin and it is understood these beams are
available in India.
Working copy to D. G. M. W., M. B., Q. M. G.
Copy to M. S. C.
Word Code telegram No. 1578-192, dated 31st January 1918.
(Despatched 10-20 a.m., received 8-30 p.m., 1st February 1918.)
From—The Inspector General of Communications, Basrah,
To—The War Section, Army Headquarters, Delhi.
(Repeated Director, Royal Indian Marine, Bombay.)
Discharged in tons of 23 cwt. 30th January.
Colliers—
“Chengtu”
“ Chusan
“Hopsang” ...
“ Yatsbin ” ... ... *.u ... ..
“Tientsin” ... ... ... . ...
APPENDIX 21
(7)y. No. 8549)
195
399
429
360
170
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 1 and 15 November 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: Tables, telegrams, memoranda, and letters.
An index to the contents of this volume can be found at folios 3-17. The volume concerns:
- Military personnel issues, including: recruitment, training, and promotions
- The supply of food, ordnance, oil, construction materials, and other items to Force D
- British ‘punitive actions’ against the ‘offending tribes’ of Al Abbas near Samawah [As Samawah] and Albu Jassim [Al Bu Jasim] near Bani Said [Bani Sa‘id]
- British raiding and aerial bombardment of villages in Mesopotamia, including Shirwan Sakhal [Shakal] and Kelar [Kalar]
- River traffic in Mesopotamia
- Preparations for a meeting between Lieutenant-Generals Jan Smuts, Edmund Allenby, and William Marshall in Egypt, to discuss the ongoing war against Turkey [Ottoman Empire]
- Matters relating to Dunsterforce, including: the selection of officers and NCOs to join Dunsterforce; the dispatch of an Armoured Car Unit; and the movements of Major-General Lionel Dunsterville
- Railway construction in Mesopotamia
- Arrest of Sullaiman Mirza [Sulaymān Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. ] and Isa Mirza [‘Īsá 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]
- Intelligence concerning the activities of the Turkish [Ottoman] and German militaries
- A report on the military readiness of the 49th Bengal Infantry
- Unreliability of Bolshevik-influenced Russian troops in Persia [Iran]
- German propaganda campaigns in Persia
- A proposal for British officers to take command of the Persian Cossack Brigade
- Matters relating to the Caucasus, including: British attempts to create a local military force; British influence on the relationship between Armenians and ‘Tartars’ in the region; and problems caused by the ‘decidedly Bolshevik’ Russian fleet in the Caspian Sea
- Civil war in Russia.
The volume also contains:
- Distribution and composition of Force D, including details of: lines of communication; general organisation; and names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders (ff 18-30)
- Distribution of the Turkish Army dated 12 February 1918 (ff 208-211)
- Report of number of pilots, balloon officers, and aircraft available for service in Mesopotamia, 31 January 1918 (f 39), 7 February 1917 (f 141)
- State of supplies on 26 January 1918 (ff 43-44), 2 February 1918 (f 120, f 142-143), 9 February 1918 (ff 232-233)
- Strength statements of Force D, 24 November 1917 (ff 48-61), 29 December 1917 (ff 107-108)
- Ration strength of Force D, 31 January 1918 (ff 72-73), 12 January 1918 (ff 84-86), 29 December 1917 (ff 87-90), 19 January (ff 177-180), 5 January 1918 (ff 195-198)
- Supply requests for Force D, dated February 1918 (ff 62-63), March 1918 (f 149)
- Returns of sick and wounded dated 2 February 1918 (f 72), 19 January 1918 (ff 76-77), 26 January 1918 (ff 159-160)
- Proposed War Establishment for an Indian Infantry Battalion (ff 173-177)
- Distribution Report showing number and condition of motor vehicles with Force D, 1 December 1917 (ff 218-231).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (246 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 248; 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 3-246; 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 43. PART I. (From 1st to 14th November 1917.)’ [40r] (84/500), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3293, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100142276886.0x000055> [accessed 1 April 2025]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3293
- Title
- ‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART I. (From 1st to 14th November 1917.)’
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:247v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence