'WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. ''D''. Volume 46. PART II. (From...

IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3300

'WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. ''D''. Volume 46. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1918.)'.

30 Mar 1918-31 May 1918

The volume contains a chronological list of brief summaries of papers relating to the activities of the Indian Expeditionary Force D (also known as the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force) between 16 and 31 May 1918. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, memoranda, and tables. An index to the contents of this volume and a summary of the contents can be found in IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3299. The volume concerns:. Military personnel issues, including reinforcements, recruitment, and leave; Arrivals to and departures from the port of Basra; Railway construction in Mesopotamia; Supply of animals, food, tents, construction materials, vehicles, and other items to Force D; British propaganda in Mesopotamia; Discussion of the potential for recruiting Assyrians and Nestorians in Persia [Iran] for military service; Matters relating to Dunsterforce, including: Dunsterforce's movements; recruitment of Persian levies; and operations to suppress anti-British forces in Persia; British interactions with Russian officers in Persia, including payment of money to maintain Russian troops, and attempts to prevent a Russian general returning to Persia; Aerial bombardment of Fathah [Al Fathah] and Humr [Al Humr]; The creation of a Directorate for Irrigation in Mesopotamia; Intelligence concerning the movement of Turkish units in Mesopotamia and Persia; Intelligence concerning the arrival of German soldiers, vehicles, and weapons at Constantinople [Istanbul]; Intelligence concerning Turkish and German intelligence operations, including the German role in inciting the 'rebellion' in Najaf; British financial support for pro-British Persian politicians; Activities of the South Persia Rifles; Discussions of British military strategy in the Middle East, including the shift in focus away from Mesopotamia and towards Persia; Railway traffic in Mesopotamia; Force D's withdrawal from Kerkouk [Kirkuk]; A summary of recent bombing raids and aerial combat, written for the Press Association; Text of a speech given by General William Marshall in Baghdad to mark Empire Day (f 266); The volume also contains:. Strength returns of Force D dated 30 March 1918 (ff 14-22, ff 45-66), 6 April 1918 (ff 89-102), 13 April 1918 (ff 236-246), 20 April 1918 (ff 23-24), and 27 April 1918 (ff 126-128); Distribution of Force D including details of lines of communication, 27 April 1918 (ff 141-150); Ration strength of Force D on 27 April 1918 (ff 67-69) and 4 May 1918 (ff 134-137); Detailed statements of ration strength of Force D on 13 April 1918 (ff 103-107) and 20 April 1918 (ff 179-183); Report of number of pilots and aircraft available for service in Mesopotamia, 16 May 1918 (ff 35-36), 23 May 1918 (f 154), and 30 May 1918 (f 274); Weekly return of sick and wounded for the week ending 27 April 1918 (f 84); Distribution of the Turkish Army, 21 May 1918 (ff 112-113) and 28 May 1918 (ff 215-223); Ammunition held and used by Force D, 17 May 1918 (ff 128-129) and 24 May (f 250); Lists of captured food supplies (ff 231-232)

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.

Volume 46. PART II.

Public Record(s)

English

1 volume (277 folios).

Unrestricted

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 279; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-277; these numbers are printed and are located in the bottom centre of the recto side of each folio. Dimensions: 21 x 33cm.