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‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART I. (From 1st to 14th November 1917.)’ [‎96r] (196/500)

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. .

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Date.
5-2-18—
contd.
WAR DIARY.
Summary of events.
/
The Geneial Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” forwarded information giving dates of deserters from enemy
units on Mesopotamian front since 1st October 1917. . T lr ^,
The Statement of discharges per ship in tons on 2nd February was received from the Inspector General
of Communications, Basrah. „ , , ^ t T r- fn
The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, London, stated that he agreed to Colonel Kirsanov g
London, but the question of his visiting India was for the Commander-in-Chiet in India to decide.
The Inland Water Transport strength return for the week ending 2nd February was received from the
Director, Inland Water Transport, Basrah. ,, o . nT1 the
The Inspector General of Communications, Basrah, forwarded a copy of a report by Major Hanney on
consignment of timber received from Karachi, „ , ,,,
The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” reported situation unchanged on rebruary Dh .
General Gillman informed the Chief of the Imperial General Stall, London, that he had received his
The^Wrecto^ MilitaryhitelligentK^ Lofton, fonvarded information given by » .gent, »l;o left
iKo at November tbbi ste.dbrd gauge was complete from Aleppo to Constantmople.
The P number of Germans north and south of Damascus up to the end of November was also given.
The^eneraf Officer Commanding, Force “ 3>,’’ w as informed that the Admiralty makmg arrange-
to transfer 8 6i Flv ,, class vessels to the Military authorities m Mesopotamia.
The ^enmral OfficerCominanding, Force “D,” forwarded particulars of deadweight requirements from
mn Commanding Force “ D,” forwarded particulars of an intercepted Russian message
^from Sivas to Erzerum, indicating close rapprochement between Turks and Russians on that froj-
The Deputy Adjutant General, 3rd Echelon, Basrah, forwarded strength return of Force D midm 0 t
TheSecrSary War Office, London, was informed that General Officer Commanding, Eorce D, pi opened
to form new No. 43 Kurdish Labour Corps and was asked to wire approval.
Number,
Appendix.
9524
98
9525
99
9530
100
9610
101 •
6 J
9621
102
-
9625
108
7
9645
104
9648
105
8
- ->4
9664
106
9
9669
107
9670
108

10
9677
109
\
9704
110
11
12

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
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‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART I. (From 1st to 14th November 1917.)’ [‎96r] (196/500), 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_100142276886.0x0000c5> [accessed 1 April 2025]

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