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

IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3299

'WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. ''D''. Volume 46. PART I. (From 1st to 15th May 1918.)'.

15 Jan 1918-15 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 1 and 15 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 at folios 3-35. The volume concerns:. Military personnel issues, including reinforcements, promotions, demobilization plans, and rewards for performance; Supply of food, construction materials, animals, ammunition, and other items to Force D; Arrivals to and departures from the port of Basra; River and railway traffic in Mesopotamia; Railway construction in Mesopotamia; A report on the performance of the 49th Bengal Infantry; Proposals for 'reducing expenditure' on shipping between India and Mesopotamia; Discussion of British strategic priorities in Mesopotamia; Intelligence concerning Turkish [Ottoman] military actions in the Caucasus and Persia [Iran]; Matters relating to Dunsterforce, including the movements of Dunsterforce and the formation of an Armoured Car unit; The occupation of Kerkouk [Kirkuk] by Force D; Pursuit of Turkish forces following the capture of Kerkouk; Force D's withdrawal from Kerkouk; The occupation of Tauq [Tawuq]; Matters relating to the British blockade of Najaf following the killing of a British officer, including the surrender of the town and the arrest of 'mal-contents and ringleaders'; Aerial bombing of camps near Fathah [Al Fathah], Erbil, and Altun Keupri [Altun Kupri]; The volume also contains:. Distribution and composition of Force D including details of lines of communication and commanding officers (ff 36- 49); Distribution of Force D including details of lines of communication, 6 April 1918 (ff 150-165), 13 April 1918 (ff 165-180), and 20 April 1918 (ff 328-339); Ammunition held and used by Force D, 26 April 1918 (f 52) and 3 May 1918 (ff 276-278); Ration strength of Force D on 30 March 1918 (ff 136-140), 13 April 1918 (ff 219-223), and 20 April 1918 (ff 342-345); Detailed statements of ration strength of Force D on 9 March 1918 (ff 141-147), 23 March 1918 (ff 205-210), 30 March 1918 (ff 244-250), and 6 April 1918 (ff 381-386); Strength returns of Force D dated 2 March 1918 (ff 61- 73), 9 March 1918 (ff 74-99), 16 March 1918 (ff 251-273), 23 March 1918 (ff 123-125), 6 April 1918 (ff 202-204), 13 April 1918 (ff 340-342), and 20 April 1918 (ff 147-149); Statement of Animal Transport held by Force D, dated 1 March 1918 (ff 101-111); Statement of Animal and Mechanical Transport held by Force D, dated 1 March 1918 (ff 300-311); Report of number of pilots and aircraft available for service in Mesopotamia, 2 May 1918 (f 127) and 9 May 1918 (f 352); Distribution of the Turkish Army, 7 May 1918 (ff 231-233) and 14 May 1918 (ff 408-409); War establishment for an Armoured Motor Car unit (ff 238-242); Weekly return of sick and wounded for the weeks ending 13 April 1918 (ff 288-290) and 20 April 1918 (ff 406-407); Names, designation letters, and classes of new battalions created by Force D (ff 295-296)

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

Volume 46. PART I.

Public Record(s)

English

1 volume (422 folios).

Unrestricted

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 422; 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 3-420; these numbers are printed and are located in the bottom centre of the recto side of each folio. Dimensions: 21 x 33cm.