"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية. الحملة في بلاد الرافدين ١٩١٤-١٩١٨. مجلد I" [ظ‎‎١‎٨‎٥] (٤٥٤/٣٧٥)

344
HISTORY OF THE WAR : MESOPOTAMIA
APPENDIX I.
Extracts from the diary of Dr. Zugmayer {one of the German
emissaries) which was captured in Persia.
14/9/14.—"Telegraphic summons to appear at the Foreign Office, Berlin.
16/9/14 to 19/9/14.—Consultations at the Foreign Office. Zimmerman
Langvorth, Wesendank, Oppenheim, Heger, Neuhofer, Mueller, 3 Indians’
Tafel, Niedermayer.
29/9/14.—Arrive at Constantinople.
30/9/14.—During the day made the acquaintance of my future colleagues.
Dr. Consten, Fischer, Bischoffshausen, also Major von Bessert and others
.... we approach the Great Perso-Afghan plan. Schuneman (Urmia
1904) is still expected. Others have already left and wait for us at Aleppo.
Several members are already at Damascus. Special plans with Niedermayer
Enver Pasha confident of the Amir of Afghanistan. Idea of parallel columns
etc ... .
8/10/14.—If all one hears here from Turkish sources about Persia and
Afghanistan is only half true, our mission will not be needed any more. In
any case, we’re two months too late .... Our Ambassador here is an
incapable ass and Enver can do with him what he likes. The only strong
German is Liman. Turkey is to receive a large loan from Germany. One
reckons therefore at the moment on an immediate declaration of war. Persia
is to make an alliance with Turkey in order that the Turks may work there
undisturbed against British and Russians.
9/10/14.—Inspect at Begsians a dagger and two fancy daggers which we
ought to take to the Amir.
, 26/J0/14. Arrive Aleppo .... where the whole expedition is assem
bled.
(The next entries in the diary show much disagreement and discussion as to
the relations between the German and Turkish members of the expedition.)
1/14. Order Turkish uniform. Military official with rank of Major.
Wassmuss returns after a quarrel with the Turkish leader, he too is now
convinced that we must not deliver ourselves into the hands of the Turks
.... but he still insists on the South Persia route.
8/12/14. 12 men of the Hapag steamer Ekbatana arrive, which ship with
our others was sunk in the Shatt al Arab to bar the passage to Basra to the
British. °
18/12/14. Wassmuss intends to separate himself from the expedition for
some time, work alone in South Persia .... He and Niedermayer want
to leave soon for Baghdad, the rest of us first to Mosul, then to await further
orders.
21/12/14. Wassmuss and Niedermayer leave. One of the three Indians
having been imprisoned has to be released.
22/12/14.—Cannot leave before Xmas. Our new Chief Turk, Khalil Bey
is reported to be in Tarsus. British cruiser Doris partially destroys railway,
Tarsus-Alexandretta.
28/12/14.—Khalil arrives. We receive order to go direct to Baghdad.
8/1/15. Arrive Jerablus. Wagner is here. Winchelman, Dietrich and
bpiegelmann arrive in the afternoon with the boats from Birejik.