"مذكرات الحرب. مقر قيادة الجيش، الهند. [...] قوة المشاة الهندية «د». المجلد ٣٣. الجزء II. (من ١٦ إلى ٣٠ أبريل ١٩١٧.)" [و‎‎٩‎٢] (٣٢٠/١٨٨)

Baghdad Vilayet; and the instructions contained in my 30710 (%. No. 1635b)
of March 9th to assist Eussians in establishing themselves on the Tigris are no
longer applicable.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M 0. 3).
appendix 338
Telegram P., No. I. A.-325b dated 24th April 1917. (/ty. -Vo. 26551)
(Despatched 2-20 a.m., received 12-30 p.m., 21th April 1917.)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Cairo,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D/ 3 Baghdad.
(Repeatel Director, Military Intelligence, London, and Commander-in-Chief, India.)
According to report absolutely reliable, Ali Ihsan informed Mosu^
through Tekrit at 5-33 a.m. on 23rd April as follows:—“(word missing*)
strength personnel 120 is advancing east of Edhaim on left flank of
Corps on reconnaissance. Fighting strength of 40 to 50 only could be pro
duced by most of the companies when paraded to-day. Only 4,000 can be
mustered by the assembled largest part of the Corps 18 battalions strong. I
cannot attack and drive back t wo enemy brigades with our present forces.
Parade strength numbers of troops have much decreased. I could since (words
missing*) a wagon section with troop of 200 recruits (words missing*) other
infantry regiments not immediately there. I cannot with my weak forces and
slender munitions beat enemy if he is defending himself with 2 or 3 infantry
brigades north of Handulabe. It is my intention therefore to advance upon
the enemy and after fight has commenced to entrench line occupied by us and
compel enemy to attack us. Favourable opportunity to do this will naturally
be seized by me.
(*) As telegraphed.
Working copy to G S. (M. O. 3'.
Copy to M, S. C., G. S. (M. O. l).
appendix 339
Clear telegram No. C.-179-913, dated 23rd April 1917. (Dy. No. 26558)
(Despatched 9 a.m., received 3-45 p.m , 24th April 1917.)
From—The Director of Railways, Basrah,
To—The Secretary, War Office, London.
(Repeated General Headquarters and Chief of the General Staff, Simla.)
Progress on Qurnah-Amarah Kail way conversion for week ending April
22nd. Linking eight and a half miles, total to date sixty-four miles main line
and one and a half miles in Amarah yard. Expect to complete conversion on
25th. Basrah-Qurnah Railway equivalent of (55-54?) fifteen miles embank
ment completed. Non-arrival of piles prevents commencement of bridge work.
Rut-Baghdad Railway 520 tons permanent-way material were despatched to
Kut. No consignment of rails for this line yet received.
Working copy to Munitions Board.
Copy to M. S. C., Q. M. G., G. S. (M 0.1).
%
APPENDIX 340
Telegram P., No. X.-1847, dated 23rd April 1917. {Dy. No. 26646)
(Despatched 6-35 p.m., 23rd April 1917 ; received 5 p.m., 24th April 1917.)
From—The General Officer Commanding. Force “ D,” Baghdad,
C The Director, Military Intelligence, London.
To — -< The Commander-in-Chief in India, Simla.
(_ The General Headquarters, Egyptian Force, Cairo.
Euphrates Line. —According to deserters’ reports 2 weak battalions of the
54th Eegt. are still on the Euphrates Line, partly at Hit and partly at Bamadi.
The present estimate of the Euphrates group is as follows :—Ramadi : 2
guns, 50 sabres, 500 rifles, 2 launches, each armed with one machine gun and
one small gun ; also two 10'5 c. m. guns in horse boats. Bit : 300 rifles.