"بلاد الرافدين. اللجنة" [ظ‎‎٢‎٤] (٢٥٦/٥١)

The difficulties complained of by General Nixon doubtless increased
crreatly with each successive reinforcement and each engagement, especially
as much of the medical personnel and materiel which came from France
was delayed en route, and only arrived at a date subsequent to the actions
fought by Generals Alymer and Gorringe.
On the 31st January 1916 the Red Cross and Order of St. John
placed at India’s disposal the organization of their societies to supplement the
needs of the sick and wounded in Mesopotamia. On the 16th February this
offer was gratefully accepted by the Viceroy.
23. On the 16th February 1916 the control of the Mesopotamian opera
tions was transferred to the War Office. This necessarily involved the control
of medical arrangements as well as all other business connected with the
operations. When we speak of “ control,” it must be understood that the
medical arrangements in a theatre of war, like all other business, come
under the direction of the General Officer Commanding. Any deficiencies
or additional requirements should be brought by him to the notice of the
supplying authority, which in this case would be the Government of India.
Such deficiencies as India could not meet would be reported home for orders
or action. Such orders can only emanate from the Authority controlling the
operations. It is in this sense that the control of medical arrangements
must necessarily rest with the War Office.
It may be mentioned here that the Viceroy, on his own initiative,
appointed a Commission on the 2nd March to investigate and report on the
organisation for dealing with sick and wounded in Mesopotamia, and the
arrangements made in India to receive them.
The Commission consisted at first of :—
Sir W. Vincent and Major-General Bingley.
It left Bombay for Basra on the 10th March. At the instance of
Mr. Chamberlain, the Vice-Chairman of the British Red Cross Society,
Mr. Ridsdale, was shortly afterwards added to the Commission. Their
report has been submitted to the Government of India, and is expected
shortly.
21. The Secretary of State has particularly desired me to warn the Com
mission that all telegrams are laid before it as originally deciphered. I
venture to remind the Commission that if published or textually referred
to in public, they should first be paraphrased to protect the. cipher. Much
of this work has already been done in the India Office in anticipation of the
presentation of papers. The paraphrase is available, for use by the
Commission if they require it.
E. G. Bar now,
General,
Military Secretary, India Office.
4th August 1916.