![‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 55. PART I. (From 1st to 15th February 1919.)’ [‎26r] (60/396)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000112.0x00022b/IOR_L_MIL_17_5_3317_0060.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 55. PART I. (From 1st to 15th February 1919.)’ [‎26r] (60/396)")
‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 55. PART I. (From 1st to 15th February 1919.)’ [26r] (60/396)
The record is made up of 1 volume (194 folios). It was created in 23 Nov 1918-15 Feb 1919. 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.
Ships arrived from England during decade freinfele. Last ships credited
from India Coconada. Figures grain and fodder include stocks held by re
sources not yet handed over or to supplies.
Working copy to Q. M. *1.
Copy to G. S. (S. D. 1).
APPENDIX 27.
DIARY No. 8625.
Telegram P., No. M. D 01104, dated 2nd February 1919,
(Despatched 8 p.m., received 4 a.m., 3rd February 1919.)
From—G eneral Malleson,
To—The General Officer Commanding, British Expeditionary Force, Constantinople.
(Repeated Delhi and Meshed.)
Clear line —
I sent for head of Government yesterday morning and pointed out to him
the seriousness of the general situation. From beyond Orenburg enemy has
received laige reinforcements and will undoubtedly contemplate renewal of
offensive operations shortly. That barely 200 out of a total Russian popu
lation in Transcaspia of 100,000 were under arms, and the remainder
were content to allow British and Turcomans to defend them. That great
bulk of Russians, while professing abhorrence of Bolshevic principles, did
nothing towards defence or aid of the country and, when Bolshevics actually
appeared here, would readily change sides. That Turcomans were the only people
who could be absolutely relied on to oppose Bolshevics to the last. Yet that
from some motive inherited from the old regime there was intense jealousy of
the Turcomans and fear of arming them. That hitherto I had deferred to
views expressed by the local Government on this question, but that it was impos
sible to delay matters further, and that, as Russians seemed unwilling to fight,
I intended to arm Turcomans forthwith. Minister professed acquiescence in my
* 2 changes. remarks and departed promising* to sum-
t Portion corrupt. mon special meeting of Government in
the afternoon. This was duly held and
deputation of President and War Minister camef(?) this mornins* to acouaint
me they had accepted project of arming Turcomans. g acquaint
2. On the road between Meshed and Askabad I have 900‘363 rifles and
ammunition and these will suffice for
*1 change. immediate requirements. But before long
it should he possible to arm a further (300 ?)# Turcomans at least, and if that
number of *£03 arms together with 500 rounds per rifle could be sent from
Constantinople, I have no doubt that irregular contingents to that number
could be raised .
3. Beyond provision of arms and ammunition, no financial or other
liability is involved by action taken as above. Armed Turcomans acting on
flanks and L’ne of Communication of an advancing enemy should prove
a valuable asset. Moreover, measure brings decidedly on our side the great bulk
of the population.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. s! C., M. S. Y. G. S.(M. O. 3, S. D.3.).
APPENDIX 28.
DIARY No. 8681.
\
Memorandum No. M. T.-280, dated 21st December 1918.
(Received in War Section, 22nd January 1919.)
From—The Director of Supply and Transport, General Headquarters, Mesopotomian
Expeditionary Force “ D ”,
To—The General Staff, War Section, Army Headquarters, Delhi, India.
I enclose herewith copy of Monthly Distribution Report of M. T. Yehides
as on 1st December 1918.
Working copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to D. M. S., G. S. (S. D. 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 1 and 15 February 1919. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, memoranda, and tables.
An index to the contents of this volume can be found at folios 1-9. The volume concerns:
- Military personnel issues, including: equipment; the transfer and retirement of officers; nominations for Staff College; granting of leave; and demobilisation of troops
- Supply of food, construction materials, and other items to Force D
- Reductions of planned supply shipments to Force D
- Proposal for a new kind of emergency ration for Indian troops
- Preparation for demobilisation of Force D, including: disposal of animals used by Force D; withdrawal orders for specific units; and disposal of surplus ammunition
- Provision of ships to carry troops from Mesopotamia to the United Kingdom
- Proposed expansion of the jurisdiction of the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
- Proposed changes to the Army Chaplains’ Department
- Employment of ‘Imported’ labourers in Mesopotamia and the growth of ‘Considerable local prejudice’ against these workers
- The post-war occupation and government of Mesopotamia
- British assessments of Mesopotamian public opinion
- Construction of railways in Mesopotamia
- Vaccination of animals shipped to Mesopotamia
- Arrest of thirteen Turkish [Ottoman] ‘ringleaders in recent political intrigue’ by British forces in Baghdad
- Turkish military presence at Joziret Ibn Omar [Cizre]
- British use of petroleum wells at Zakhd [Zakho]
- British arming of ‘Turcomans’ to fight the Bolsheviks on behalf of the Transcaspian Government
- Intelligence suggesting the presence of the former Ottoman leader Enver Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. [Enver Pāshā] in the Caucasus
- British military actions in Persia [Iran] including: occupation of key roads; maintenance of roads; and discussion of a ‘most virulent form of malaria’ affecting British troops in North Persia.
The volume also contains:
- Distribution and composition of Force D, including details of lines of communication, general organisation, and corrections (ff 63-73)
- State of supplies on 27 January 1919 (f 25), 31 January 1919 (ff 162-163), 7 February 1919 (f 168)
- Distribution Report showing number and condition of motor vehicles with Force D, 1 December 1918 (ff 27-42)
- Ration strength of Force D on 21 December 1918 (ff 124-130), 28 December 1918 (ff 130-136), 4 January 1919 (ff 182-187), 11 January 1919 (ff 75-78), 18 January 1918 (ff 149-152)
- Strength return of Force D on 23 November 1918 (ff 79-90)
- Weekly return of sick and wounded dated 4 January 1919 (ff 99-100), 11 January (ff 188-189)
- Ammunition return of Force D on 2 January 1918 (ff 110-111)
- Programme for February despatch of British troops from Mesopotamia and India (f 112).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (194 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 (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 192; 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. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
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 55. PART I. (From 1st to 15th February 1919.)’ [26r] (60/396), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3317, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100143579001.0x00003d> [accessed 11 July 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3317
- Title
- ‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 55. PART I. (From 1st to 15th February 1919.)’
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, i-r:i-v, 1r:192v, ii-r:ii-v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence