"مذكرات الحرب. مقر قيادة الجيش، الهند. [...] قوة المشاة الهندية «د». المجلد ٥٥. الجزء I. (من ١ إلى ١٥ فبراير ١٩١٩.)" [و‎‎١‎٧‎١] (٣٩٦/٣٥٠)

APPENDIX 203.
DIARY No. 11543.
I
Word Code telegram No. 11543 (A. G.-2), dated 13tli February 1919.
*
(Despatched 11 p.m.)
From—The Commander-in-Chief, Delhi,
To—The Secretary, War Office, London.
(Eepeated General Officer Commanding, Baghdad.)
Pleaso refer to onr telegram Nos. 142489 (A. G.-2 L.) of 24th December
1918, repeated to G. O. C., Baghdad, in No. 6741 (A. G.-2 L.) of 26th January
19J9,'No. 2184-A. G.-2 of 9th January 1919, also G. O. C., Force “ D,” tele
gram No. A.-513 of 29th December 193 8 (Diary No. 103556). Labour for
Mesopotamia. There are now four Labour Corps available in India for work
in Mesopotamia, if required, all men of which are willing to serve overseas for
two years or less as required on existing rates of pay. On the otter hand there
are Labour and Porter Corps in that theatre whose early repatriation requires
sympathetic consideration. The whole question of the policy to be adopted in
future is we realise a difficult one but in the meantime work cannot be found for
the four corps in India, and we vxould press for a decision as to whether they
should be sent out to Mesopotamia in relief of four which could be repatriated
and so ensure no dislocation of work during the demobilization period. If
not required we will disband them and so save expense but strongly deprecate
such action as units now available are superior to those proposed for relief
whereas disbandment wouffi render difficult future replacement should this
become necessary. Question has been discussed with Director of Labour in
Mesopotamia who is on leave in India and it is understood that G. 0. C.,
Force “ D,” will strongly support our recommendation that the four Corps be
sent out in replacement. Shipping will be available for outgoing corps and
those relieved can be returned as shipping becomes available without interfer*
ing with the demobilization of combatants.
Record copy to A. G.
Copy to M. S. C., Q. M, G. } G. S. (S. D.-l, S. D.-3).
Telegram P., No. 11555 (A. G. 1), dated 13th February 1919.
(Despatched 8-15 p.m.)
From—The Chief of the General Staff, Delhi,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D.”
Reference your letter No. A.-2412—1, June 8th, 1918 (Diary No. 49356)
and subsequent telegrams from 3rd Echelon, Basra, reporting despatch of men
for exchange with, depots in India. Arrangements have been made in accord
ance with telegram No. 863-A. G., January 4th, to send you, as shipping is
available, a draft of 200 men to replace old soldiers for each of your pest war
units w hereas all men in excess of War Establishment of 930 are to be
returned. It is considered that those drafts and the return of men in excess
■w ill enable you to carry out a good exchange of all old and deserving soldiers.
It is proposed to discontinue the system of exchange for the present owing to
possible difficulty of completing the drafts of 200 men.
Record copy to A. G.
Copy to Q. M. G., G. S. (S. D.-l, S. D.-3).
APPENDIX 205.
DIARY No. 11560.
Telegram P., No. G. C. 138-Cipher, dated 12th February 1919.
(Despatched 11-30 p.m., received 4-30 p.m., 13th February 1919.)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Constantinople,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force 4 ‘ D, v Baghdad.
(Repeated Secretary, War Office, London, and Commander-in-Chief in India, Delhi.)
Priori/y.—Reference Secretary, War Office, 75158-D. M. O. (?), (Diary
No. 10970), February 10th. Consider for tactical command suitable boundary
would be Enslli Zinjan Bizar Sehna (all inclusive to you) thence to Persian
Frontier. Do you agree to the above ?
L71