'WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. ''D''. Volume 36 PART I. (From 1st...

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 1 and 15 July 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, letters, tables, and memoranda, containing instructions and reports. An index to the contents of this volume can be found at folios 3-13 and a summary of the contents can be found at folio 14. The volume mostly relates to:. Reinforcements and labour requirements of Force D; Supplies for Force D, including: coal, animals, river craft, fodder, land transport, rations, weapons, ammunition, and timber; Lists of sick and wounded soldiers; Staff appointments and recruitment processes; Updates from the Euphrates line, especially at Sinn-al-Zibban [Qaryat Sinn adh Dhibban]; Plans to cut Turkish [Ottoman] telegraph lines; Turkish forces: movements; intelligence from deserters; potential financial difficulties; and distributions for week ending 12 July (ff 146-147); Russo-Turkish operations near Bistan [Bestane], Penjvin [Baynjiwayn] and in the Caucasus region; Discussions about the suitability of locomotive engines supplied by the Federate Malay States; Reports on railway and river traffic, as well as on railway construction; Discussions about the responsibility and functions of the Financial Adviser to the General Officer Commanding, Force D, and about financial administration of Force D in general; Reports from the Royal Flying Corps; Discussions about the establishment of a Civil Administration in Mesopotamia, especially at Baghdad, and how that body would work with Her Majesty's Government and the General Officer Commanding, Force D; Discussions about reinforcements required for Force D to hold their position in the Baghdad Vilayet and the implications of this regarding other troops potentially being sent to Egypt; Intelligence regarding a conference at Aleppo, attended by high-level German and Turkish military commanders, concerning a potential offensive on the Syrian and Mesopotamian fronts; Potential for Russian troops to withdraw from Northern Persia [Iran]; Intelligence about the status and plans of Turkish and German troops in Baalbek, Syria, Palestine, and Mesopotamia; The volume also contains:. Distribution and composition of Force D, including details of: lines of communication units; general organisation; units captured at Kut-al-Amarah [Al-Kut]; and names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders (ff 15-34); Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia on 1 July (ff 40-41), 8 July (ff 118-119), and 15 July (ff 217-220); Distribution of troops for Force D on 3 June (f 50) and 17 June (ff 135-139); Two diaries of information from 9 June (ff 70-78) and 16 June (ff 181-192) covering: climate and floods; aviation; inland water transport; local produce; medical affairs; and river conservancy matters; Joint report (ff 198-201) by Messrs Keatinge, Langer and Angell, regarding outstanding indents [official orders for goods], in response to a note by the Chief Store-keeper, Mesopotamian Railway. The report is forwarded with comments by Thomas Ryan, Secretary, Indian Munitions Board (ff 196-198); Whilst the volume contains copies of earlier material dating from April 1917 onwards, the bulk of the material dates from July 1917.

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

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