‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 17. PART I. (From 1st to 15th December 1915.)’ [‎145r] (294/488)

For the present it is proposed to keep the troops at Nasiriyah.
Working copy to G, S. (M. 0. 1).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., A. G., Q. M. G., G. S. (M. O. 2, M 0. 3).
Telegram P., No. C. G. S.-H, dated 1st December 1915. APPENDIX 41
(Despatched 9-20 a.m., received 4-45 p.m.) (Py. No. 29200)
Prom—Major Maush,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
Urgent. According to an unconfirmed report, which, however, I believe
to he reliable, the following left for Baghdad from Bitlis about 30th October:
5th Composite Division consisting of 9 battalions under Bekrio El Ekrisami
Bey and 36th Division of 3 regiments, each of 2 battalions under Mirali
Kiazair Bey with 29th Independent Infantry Begiment of 4 battalions under
Yakub Jemal Bey. The 17th Division departed from Hassan Kala on the
Aras moving south.
Kindly acknowledge receipt.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. V., M. S. C., G. S. (M. O. 1).
Telegram P., No. 10549-Cipher, dated 1st December 1915. APPENDIX 42
(Despatched 3 p.m., received '2 a.m., 2nd December 1915.) (I'y. No^. 29212)
From—The Secretary, War Office, London,
To—The Commander-in-Chief in India.
Personnel of the drafts which are being got ready for the 4 regular
battalions will bring rifles sighted for mark YII ammunition. Territorial
personnel of the draft for the 1-4 Hampshire Itegiment will be armed with
rifles sighted for mark VI ammunition
All will have mark VI ammunition and complete personal equipment and
all are fully trained men.
This refers to your S.-28970.
Working copy to A. G., D. G. O.
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. 0. 1, M. O. 2).
Telegram P., No. I. G.-1689, dated 1st December 1915. APPENDIX 43
(Despatched 12-50 p.m., received 1-30 a.m., 2nd December 1915. (Dy. No. 29213)
From—General Officer Commanding, Force “ D”, Basrah (Radio),
qo—T^e Chief of the General Staff.
I am informed in a telegram from the Vice-Consul at Ahwaz that the
local manager of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company has received cable from the
Company, London Office, as follows :—
Begins : To protect Company’s property and line staff, in view of the
imminent danger of attacks by Germans on the oil-fields, you should insist on
the immediate despatch of 500 or 1,000 men. Ends.
I request that I may be told as soon as possible on what grounds the
above telegram is based and that, if it is found to be without foundation, the
Company, London Office, may be restrained from issuing alarmist telegrams of
this description. Such telegrams naturally have a most disquieting effect on
the Company’s employes and defeat their own object. Local political and
military intelligence indicates no such imminent danger.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. 0. 2, M. O. 3),