‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 47. PART II. (From 16th to 30th June 1918).’ [‎113r] (234/670)

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APPENDIX 415.
Diary No. 47861.
Telegram P., No. 604i54-M. R.-2-A.-495, dated 18th June 1918.
(Despatched 0-5 a.m., 19th June 1918, received 2-80 a.m., 20th June 1918.)
From—-The Secretary, War Office, London,
To—The Comm&nder-in-Chief in India, Simla.
(Repeated to the General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Baghdad.)
With reference to Mesopotamia Transport Commission Report. One of
the chief underlying causes of difficulty experienced in Mesopotamia with
regard to transportation requirements, it appears, is the absence of technical
connecting link in India (other than the somewhat limited powers vested in
Lieutenant-Colonel H. D. Maxwell, Deputy Director, Inland Water Transport)
between Directors in the field, and Organizations in India resnonsible for the
supply of personnel and materials similar to that existing for other theatres of
war in Director of Inland Waterways and Docks and in Director of Railways
and Roads at the War Office.
Director of Railways, Mesopotamia, in other words, has no agent acting
entirely in his interests in India. Therefore suggest that you should have a
technical staff under your Quartermaster-General, which while carrying out
the following functions would also be in direct touch with transportation
organisation in Mesopotamia.
A.- Receive demands made from overseas.
R.*—Authorise modifications which will
* By 1 change. expedite * supply while meeting require
ments.
C. —Undertake technical responsibility for qualified personnel and for
establishments.
D. —Frame requisitions on supply departments.
E. —Ensure adequate priority of supply.
F. —-See that manufacture and shipping are followed up.
G. —Advise Directors overseas when demands will be met and to what
extent.
H. —Keep in touch with military situation in order to advise technically
on questions of military transportation policy as they arise and anticipate
requirements if necessary. Any change in present methods of recruiting
personnel and obtaining material is not necessarily involved as result of this
proposal.
Working copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (S. D. 1, S. D. 2), A. G.
APPENDIX
Memorandum No. A.-2062-29, dated SOth May 1918.
fR.pnpivpd in War Sep.finn. IrttVi June 1918.1
Diary No. 47901.
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From—The General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Army Headquarters, India, Simla.
I forward herewith the monthly report on the 49th Bengal Infantry.
Memorandum No. G. S. T.-l, dated 26th May 1918.
From—The General Officer Commanding, Tigris Defences,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force.
The attached report on the 49th Rengal Infantry for the period 1st Marcl
to 30th April 1918 is forwarded for your information.
Memorandum No. 4017, dated 16th May 1918.
From—The Officer Commanding, No. 2 Section, Tigris Defences, Kufc,
To—The General Staff Officer (2) Headquarters, Tigris Defences, Amara.
. Incompliance with yonr No. G. S.-129, dated 9th May 1918, I forwar
herewith a report on 49th Bengal Infantry for period from 1st March to 30t
April 1918.
The 49th Bengal Infantry have only actually come under my notice sine
their recent transfer from Azizeh to Kut.
One wing having arrived at Kut on 11th March 1918.
The second wing arrived at Kut on 3rd April 1918.
Health .—From the attached detailed report of the Medical Officer tl
health of the regiment shows improvement more particularly since its arriv