'WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 25. PART I. (From 1st to 15th August 1916.)' [‎140v] (285/334)

Telegram No. 11676-Q.M.G.-2—D.-4218, dated 12tli Angust 1916. APPENDIX 258
(Despatched 6-25 p.m., received 11-30 a.m., 13th August 1916.) {Dy. No. 71687.)
From—The Secretary, War Office, London,
To—The Commander-in-Chief in India.
Ked Cross Society proposes to send Abandan hospital ship in plates and
anodes which they wish to arrange for Messrs. Alcock Ashdown and Company,
Bombay, to re-erect at Mohammerah. In view of report on conditions now
existing in Mohammerah consider they will find great difficulty in putting
to o '8ther there and therefore War Office is of opinion that most advisable tnat
re-erection should be undertaken at Bombay and vessel sent across to Mesopo
tamia early in the spring. Bed Cross Society not in favour of suggestion
therefore we would be glad to learn your opinion as to whether you consider
Alcock Ashdown and Company can put this vessel together expeditiously at
Mohammerah and whether it would interfere in anyway with any your schemes
for hastening construction of craft locally.
Addressed General and Deputy Director, Inland Water Transport, Basrah ;
repeated Commander-in-Chief in India.
Working copy to D. M. S.
Copy to M. S. C., Q, M. G.
Telegram P., No. 21503-Ciplier-M. I., dated 12th August 1916, APPENDIX 259
(Despatched 7-20 p.m., received 12-45 p.m., 13th August 1916.) {Dy. No. 71698)
From—The Director, Military Intelligence, London,
To—The Commander-in-Chief in India.
My 21330 {Dy. No. 70538).
Telegram from Marsh states that the Penjvin Haleb jin and Seygar batta An extra allowance of pay granted to soldiers involved in special field service or to public servants on special duty.
lions and°the local -battalions referred to in my telegram 21493 {Dy.
Ao. 72dd?) are identical; and that Bussian information states that the 55th
Eegiment remained in Syria and the 42nd Regiment in Hedjaz ? On 6th in
stant Mush and Oghnat were evacuated by the Russians, who commenced a
slow withdrawal before a superior force. Ou 10th instant Elehu was occupied
by the Russians. Turkish communique dated 12th August states that Kighi
was occupied by Turks on 9th August.
Addressed Basrah, repeated India and Egypt,
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M, S. C„ M. S. V., E. and G. S. (M. O. 1),
Telegram P., No. 381-27-Q., dated 12th August 1916. APPENDIX 260
(Despatched 2-50 a.m., received 12-45 p.m., loth August 1916.) {Dy. No. 71713),
From—Tfie General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
70824. Having consulted Cox and Officer Commanding, Ahwaz, I adhere to
my predecessor’s opinion that the minimum force with which to ensure the safety
of the oilfields, should there be a general rising of the whole of the Bakhtiari
tribe, is one division and cavalry brigade closely supported by a second division.
Such a large force, however, could not be employed owing to the difficulties of
water supply in the vicinity of the oilfields. So long as the Turks give no direct
assistance, it is my opinion that a much smaller force would enable the loyal
portion of the Bakhtiari tribe to preserve the security of the oilfields, as any
trouble amongst the Bakhtiari would, in the first instance, probably involve
only a portion of the tribe.
Paragraph 2. It is intended therefore to reinforce Ahwaz at once by on©
section of mountain artillery and half a battalion of infantry. Should the
situation demand it, the force would subsequently be increased to a total, force
of one battery of mountain artillery, one brigade of infantry and two regiments
of cavalry. The Officer Cominandiog, Ahwaz, will use his discretion as to the
actual dispositions of troops.