"مذكرات الحرب. مقر قيادة الجيش، الهند. [...] قوة المشاة الهندية «د». المجلد ٢٣ الجزء II (من ١٦ إلى ٣٠ يونيو ١٩١٦)" [و‎‎١‎٧] (٢٧٤/٣٨)

25
:SI 4 QIGSB
Telegram P., No. 356 - 12 - 0 ., dated 16th June 1916. APPENDIX 251
(Despatched 11 p.m., received 2 p.m., 17th June 1916.) (Diary No. 60079)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla,
5 (?)
Your 49200 of 13th.
It is my intention to push on the construction of 2 foot 6 inch line from
Qurnah to Amarah and metre gauge line from Basrah to Nasiriyah simultane
ously.
2. The former line is the more immediately urgent of the two, since the
delivery^ of supplies at Tigris front will be greatly increased thereby and an
alternative provided to river transport through the Narrows, Ezra’s tomb to
Qalat Saleh. The construction of this section will be undertaken first
3. Since each taps an entirely different and non-transferable labour supply,
it is feasible for construction of both lines to be carried on simultaneously.
4. It is understood you have decided on policy of subsequent construction
to 4 foot 8J inch gauge. Present military requirements do not call for this.
5. It ss estimated that the Nasiriyah line will take seven months and the
Qurnah-Amarah line 4 to 5 months from present time.
6. Buchanan is making preliminary arrangements up the Tigris and no
rthing useful can be added to my 1543-u-Q., of May 27th (Dy. 'No. 56571)
mntil his return.
Working copy to G.S. (M.O.i),
Copy to M.S.C., M.S.V., G.S. (M.O.2, M.0,3), Q.M.G,
iRailway Board, D.G.M.W., F. & P.
Telegram P., No, 129*466-0., dated 16th June 1916, APPENDIX 252
(Despatched 10-30 P.M., received 3-30 p.m,, 17th June 1916.) (Diary No. 60099(
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,’’ Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla.
• June 16th Tigris Line,
No change in situation. Shade temperature m degrees.
Lines of Communication,
Because of defiant attitude of Ibn Rashid, Shaikh of Shammar Arabs, vide
my telegram of 15th instant No. I. G.-3025, (Dy. No. 59796) and his refusal to
move from the immediate neighbourhood of Zubair, I have despatched a Column
of all arms to reinforce cavalry at Shaiba, and have given orders that, unless
Ibn Rashid moves at once from his present neighbourhood, he is to be attacked.
Addressed Chief of the General Staff, Simla, repeated Chief of the Imperial
General Staff, London.
Working copy to G.S. (M.O.g).
Copy to M.S.C., M.S.V., G.S. (M.O.i), F. & P,
Telegram P., No. 60103, dated 17th June 1916,. APPENDIX 253
(Despatched 7-45 P.M.) (Bi ar y No. 60103)
F rom —The Commander-in-Chief in* India, Simla.
To The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, London.
*
Your telegram 17920 of June iCth (Dy, No. 59962). Cavalry Brigade
tentage can be supplied.