أوراق اللجنة الشرقية التابعة لمجلس الحرب [ظ‎‎١‎٢‎٦] (٥٤٤/٢٥٢)

16
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II- —Subsequent Absorption of the Mission into M.E.F.
W.O. 59064,
May 27, 1918.
He and his staff then became an integral part of General Marshall’s force, viz.,
on the 27th May, 1918, and his duties were to assist in securing the Khanikin-Resht
road, and eventually to obtain control of the Caspian.
o.-o.-c.
Mespot.’s X.
9257, June 4,
1918.
W.O. 59655
to G.-O.-C.
M 68 pot.
UunsterviUe’s
G. 744 to
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.
W.O. 60107,
June 13.
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.
X. 9597,
June 17.
W. O. 60491,
Jane 19.
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.,
X. 9706.
W. O. 61196,
June 28, to
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.
G.-O. C.
Mespot.’s
X. 9897,
June 30.
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.’s,
July 4.
W O. 62323,
July 15.
Mespot.’s
X. 365,
July 18.
Mespot.’s
X. 388,
July 19.
W.O. 62635,
July 20.
W. O. 62829,
July 23, to
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.
C.-in-C. India
to W.O.,
59101, July27.
Bagdad
X. 666,
July 29.
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.
X. 960,
August 7.
III .—The Baku Project.
It very soon became evident that the defence of Baku was of the lirst impor
tance, and Dunsterville proposed to undertake it. G.-O.-C. Mesopotamia recom
mended that Dunsterville should be given a free hand as regards sending British
troops to Baku under his (G.-O.-C. Mesopotamia’s) control.
On the 6th June the War Office telegraphed that His Majesty’s Government
have no objection to Dunsterville ‘ preparing ” to send a force to Baku, but, pending
further orders, forbade Dunsterville, any British troops, or Bicharakov’s troops
going there.
On the 8th June Dunsterville telegraphed that he hoped to save Baku, if he
could go there and be followed by a British battery and a British battalion as soon
as possible.
On the 13th June War Office telegraphed that there was no objection to despatch
of a few officers to report on possibilities of situation, but that despatch of British
forces there, or even assurance of armed help, seemed to them both inexpedient and
dangerous.
General Marshall, in reply to a telegram from Dunsterville, saying he would
again ask for troops if situation proved better than he expected, wired that, except
it be ordered by War Office, he did not intend to send him any more troops.
War Office replied to above that a report should be awaited from the officer
who accompanied Bicharakov.
The 21st June Bicharakov complained of want of support, and asked that four
of our armoured cars might accompany him to Baku. Mesopotamia agreed to this
and ordered it.
His Majesty’s Government was not; satisfied that we were taking full advantage
of our opportunities, and that maximum effort was being made towards the Caspian,
and definitely ordered Marshall to send as many troops as he could support into
North-West Persia.
Dunsterville reports a more favourable situation in Baku, and urges) more
palpable British support to Bicharakov.
Dunsterville again urges despatch of British forces to Baku before situation
changed. Marshall reports that his arrangements for collecting transport are
nearly complete.
War Office telegraphed that if, in Marshall's opinion, circumstances render it
desirable or possible, with due regard to the safety of the Hamadan-Enzeli road, to
send officers to Baku, or to despatch a small force to that place, they would be glad
to see it done. They complain of lack of local information.
Dunsterville reports that sending officers or troops to Baku involved hostilities
against Bolshevist Government there. Marshall expressed opinion that at present
the only way for a small force to reach Baku was by consent of its present
Government.
Reports from Baku indicate public feeling was in favour of British assistance.
Marshall reports he has permitted Dunsterville to move one battalion to Enzeli for
despatch to Baku, to be followed by a battery.
Approved the above.
Expresses doubt as to Dunsterville’s capacity, and complains that he has sent
no useful information, and asks whether, in Marshall’s opinion, he should not be
replaced.
Marshall (then in Delhi) did not wish to displace Dunsterville.
G.-O.-C. reports coup d'etat in Baku, and that new Government want British
help, and adds that transports were on their way to Enzeli to fetch our troops.
Reports arrival of first detachment of British troops on the 5th August, and
that more left Enzeli on the 6th August, and that defence troops at Baku are under
five different political organisations, all independent of each other, with no central
control; and that oil fields were full of pro-Turkish Tartar workmen.