"مذكرات الحرب. مقر قيادة الجيش، الهند. [...] قوة المشاة الهندية «د». المجلد ٣٧. الجزء II. (من ١٦ إلى ٣١ أغسطس ١٩١٧)." [و‎‎١‎١‎٥] (٥٤٦/٢٣٤)

Telegram P., No. 39961-Cipber, dated 32nd August 1917. APPENDIX 409
(Despatched 20-55 p.m., received 8-30 p.m. } 23rd August 1917.) (Zty. No. 57508)
Prom—The Director, Military Intelligence, London,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force <c D,” Baghdad.
(Repeated India and Egypt.)
Caucasus Military Agent wires on August 19th, No. 257 :— Begins.
10 a.m. August 19th. Previous indications of increasing Turkish pressure
on Caucasus front preliminary to offensive in Mesopotamia are confirmed by
the following:—
1. Reports received August 14th confirmed August 16th indicate formation
by Turks of so-called “ Armed Battalions ” to deal with guerilla irregulars in
the Black Sea coast sector.
2. Officer deserter of 1st Division mentioned in my 247 (Dy. No. 57279)
states August 7th that Turks are making preparations for a general offensive
principal stroke of which is to be against Baghdad, and he quotes rumour that
20th Army Corps {sic) is moving to take part in latter.
3. According to agents 2 Battalions with 4 guns and 2,000 Kurds arrived
at Plur on August 10th. Two Battalions are also en route from Khozat,
objective being Erzinjan. (Turkish attack south-east of Erzinjan held up at
present.)
4. On August 15th deserter of 15th Regiment stated that in Bitlis area
orders had been issued to collect supplies in view of impending offensive.
5. Referring to my 233 the remaining Battalions of 5th Division
which were at Mardin training, rejoined their respective Regiments near Bitlis
about the 10th instant.
Reference 39943-Cipher of 21st August (Dy. No. 57041) Turkish force
consisted of 1 squadron and one Battalion. According to agents a further
advance against Bane is intended. Ends.
Note. —Regarding paragraph 3, suggest Polumor ? instead of Plur; Marsh
is being asked.
317
Reference paragraph 4, on August 6th prisoners of 14th and 15th regiment
near Bitlis stated that a Battalion of 15th Regiment, hitherto in reserve north
east of Mardin, had received a draft and rejoined Headquarters Regiment at the
front.
No. 247 (Dy. No. 57279) from Marsh follows.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., Q. M. G., G. S. (M. O. 1).
Word Code telegram No. 37375-M.R.-3-10920, dated 22nd August 1917. APPENDIX 410
(Despatched , received 11-30 p.m., 22nd August 1917.) (Dy. No. 57316)
From—The Director, Inland Waterways and Docks, London,
To—The Director, Inland Water Transport, and Inspector-General of Communica
tions, Basrah.
(Repeated Inwater, Aden, Commander-in-Chief, India and Baghdad.)
Your telegram of 19th August, 1757 (Dy. No. 56436). All towage Masqat
Basrah left to you to arrange. I am placing 2 converted trawlers with 150 to
200 bunker capacity, designated H. S.-70, H. S.-74 on Aden-Maskat relay.
Expect H. S.-70 arriving at Aden about September 15th H. S.-74 about Septem
ber 30th if all goes well. Including “ Ivy” and “ Bhadra ” these 4 tugs should
suffice towage and convoy to the east of Aden. Would suggest “ Ivy ” “ Bhadra”
be despatched immediately to Aden. Despatch of craft from Aden to be left
to discretion of local authorities. Advise departure of‘ c IvyBhadra ” to^
Aden.
Working copy to Q. M. G.
Copy to M. S. G,