‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 55. PART I. (From 1st to 15th February 1919.)’ [‎179r] (366/396)

I discussed questions so far as it effects Mesopotamia and Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
with Director-General, Posts and Telegraphs in India, on his recent visit to
Baghdad. The very efficient and complete military telegraphic installation
in this country has now been valued and it is intended that the Civil Telegraph
Department now in process of formation shall eventually take it over
practically as it stands and work it.
Light field telegraph lines from Baghdad will reach Dair-uz-Zor during
next few weeks and it should be a matter of little difficulty for our Military
force in Aleppo to re-constract line thence to Dair-uz-Zor if so desired. I
venture to suggest for consideration of H. M.’s Government that interests of
public service and of economic*.! maintainance of overland communication with
India would best be served by amalgamation of Indo-European Telescraph
Department with Civil Telegraphs, Mesopotamia into a single department
controlled from London with headquarters at Baghdad controlling all existing
lines in above sj3heres. Whether the new department should include telegraph
lines between Mesopotamia and Egypt is for consideration, if not it should
leave two wires as far as Port Said.
If a Government cable could be laid thence to England we should have
a highly efficient and financially profitable line connecting Europe with India
and the States of the Middle E ist.
Working copy (advanced copy for inform tion) to G. S. (M. O.-l).
Copy to M. C., G. S. (M. 0.-3).
7 APPENDIX 218.
DIARY No. 11938.
Telegram P., No. X.-5 369, dated 14th February 19 9.
(Despatched 1-50 p. M., received 4-30 a. m.; 15th Febraary 1919.)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D/ J Baghdad,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Delhi.
Reference paragraph 1, of your 2467 of January 10th.
The 1st Corps, Signal Company : is No. 31 which is one of the first two signal
units raised in India and which has been on service a 45 a unit throughout the
period of the war, I strongly recommend that its i ientity should he preserved,
that it should not be broken up but relieved as a unit by the Corps Signal
Company from India (with exception of equipment and horses which should
he handed over). If necessary the relief to be carried out gradually.
Working copy to A. G.
Copy to M. S. C., G. S., (M. O.-l, S. D.-l, S. D.-3, S. D.-4,) Q. M. G.
APPENDIX 219.
DIARY No. 11943.
Telegram P„ No. X.-5368, dated 14th February 1919.
(Despatched 10-15 r. m. ; received 4-30 a. m., 15th February 1919.)
From—The General officer Commanding, Force a D/* Baghdad,
To—The Secretary, War Office, London.
(Repeated Constantinople and India.)
Your 75158 of 10th February (Dy. No. 10970).
It is agreed that “Britforce” should be responsible for Persian Azerbaijan
and Urumiyah District.
2. With regard to “ Nor perforce ” sphere, your above quoted telegram
crossed my X.^5342, (Dy. No. 10983) of February 11th. I agree with! Milne
that boundary should be from Persian frontier eastward to Sahna thence via
Bijar and Zinjan to Enzeli. (All 4 places inclusive to Norperforce).
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1). .
Copy to M. 8. C., G. S. (M. G.-3, S. D.-l).
APPENDIX 220.
DIARY No. 11991.
Memorandum No. 13676—4 (A. G.-10), dated 11th January 1919.
(Received in War Section 14th February 1919.)
From—The Adjutant-General in India, Delhi,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force “ D.”
Reference C. G/s telegram No. 49885, dated 26th June 1918. No further
recommendations on behalf of Indian Officers or other ranks for the grant of
temporary King’s commissions are required.
2. N o action, therefore, has been taken on the recommendations made in
your letter No. M. S.-1095—23, dated 30th November 1918, (Dy. No. 103640).
Record copy to A. G.