'WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. ''D''. Volume 33. PART II. (From...

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 30 April 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, letters, and memoranda containing instructions and reports. The volume mostly relates to:. Supplies for Force D, including: weapons, ammunition, road transport, and rations; Plans for moving reinforcements between Mesopotamia, Egypt, and France; Construction and transportation of rivercraft from India to Mesopotamia; Proposals to store ammunition locally rather than in India; Details of tonnage [amounts of cargo] transported on railways and rivers; Matters relating to railways construction; Turkish [Ottoman] troops: movements; status at various lines in Mesopotamia; weapon supplies; plans to retire to Mosul; and extracts of distribution for week ending 17 April (ff 30-31) and week ending 24 April (ff 96-97); Discussions about Force D providing food and grain to the Russian forces under General Pavloff [Pavlov]; Cordial attitude of the Mujtahids of Kerbela [Karbala] and Nejef [An-Najaf] towards touring British political officers; Issues relating to staffing; Intelligence from the Caucasus Military Agency; Intelligence from the General Officer Commanding, Egypt, especially in relation to the Turkish 18th Army Corps; Updates from the Tigris line, especially around Samarra [Samarra'] and Istabulat [Istablat], including a resumé of operations on the Tigris since the arrival of the Russians; Status of the Russian force at Kasr-i-Shirin [Qasr-e Shirin]; Alleged misconduct of the 3rd Brahmans and subsequent military court proceedings; Details of the present telegraph system; Communications with the Russian force in Persia [Iran]; Information on ships in various Indian ports and at Basrah [Basra]; Updates on action at Hit; Transport required to evacuate sick and wounded soldiers; Discussions about the Press representatives' tour of Mesopotamia and where they should be permitted to visit; Royal Flying Corps reports; Discussions about consolidating British influence in the Baghdad Vilayet [province under the Ottoman Empire]; Impact of Russian inactivity and unavailability on British operations; Government of India's response to the War Cabinet's decision regarding future administration and control of Mesopotamia and Arabia; The volume also contains:. Distribution of troops on 24 March (ff 20-25); 'Detailed statement of ration strength' of Force D on 25 March (ff 58-61) and on 1 April (ff 121-123); Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia and Persia on 22 April (ff 74-75) and on 29 April (ff 131-133); Field return for Force D showing number of personnel, animals, weapons, and transport vehicles (ff 139-153); A summary and index to the contents of this volume can be found at the start of IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3274.

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

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