Abstract: The file consists primarily of summaries of letters, memoranda, and reports dated between 26 November 1919 and 5 January 1920; the subject matter concerns Bolshevik and Pan-Islamic movements in Central Asia, Persia, and Afghanistan. These summaries are divided into a series of sections which are as follows:I. Bolshevik Missions to Kabul;II. Afghan Relations with Bokhara and Khiva;III. Intrigues at Tashkend;IV. Afghan Mission to Kushk;V. Movements in Afghan Turkestan;VI. Afghan Mission to Moscow;VII. Movements in Ferghana and Semirechia;VIII. Bolshevik relations with Bokhara, Khiva and Samarkand;IX. Afghan-Bolshevik Commercial Relations;X. Barkatullah;XI. Afghan Aggression into Russian Territory: Afghan political Relations with Bolsheviks in Turkestan;XII. Kasim Beg;XIII. Pan-Islamism and anti-British Schemes;XIV. Bolshevik Designs on Persia;XV. Bolshevik assistance to Afghans in Material, &c.;XVI. Miscellaneous: (a) Movements of Bolshevik troops in Transcaspia. (b) Food and fuel situation in Bolshevik area. (c) Intrigues with Trans-Caucasia;XVII. Appreciations of the General Situation.Section XVII contains substantial extracts from letters, memoranda, and reports rather than the usual summaries. Sections IV and XII are empty; nil is used to indicate that there are no reports in these sections for the period in question.The following titles are abbreviated in the file as indicated: Chief of the [Imperial] General Staff (CGS); Director of Military Intelligence (DMI); and Foreign Secretary (FS) — most likely — to the Government of India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This previously secret file, compiled by the India Office, contains various papers relating to expenditure on the Malleson Mission and troops in East Persia between 1918 and 1921.The file opens with a note about the contents of the file, and is followed by an India Office Political Department Memorandum and a memorandum by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Correspondence regarding expenditure is then included which dates from after the Chancellor's memorandum (November 1919) until January 1921.There are two appendices. Appendix I contains correspondence on the subject which was exchanged prior to the Chancellor's memorandum. Appendix II provides copies of the main military and political telegrams which are referred to in the memoranda and the later correspondence regarding expenditure. At the end of the file is a copy of a separate telegram from the Viceroy, Army Department, to the Secretary of State for India dated August 1919 (folios 16-17).The main correspondents throughout the file are the India Office, the Treasury, the War Office (including the Secretary of State for War, Winston Churchill), the Secretary of State for India (Edwin Samuel Montagu), and the Viceroy, Army Department.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 17; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Imprint:London, published by John Murray, Albermarle Street. Lithographed by Stanfords Geog. Estab.Distinctive Features:Relief shown by hachures.Shows the route of the author by red line.The verso of the folio contains the title 'Vamberry's map of Central Asia' written in Lewis Pelly's handwriting in pencil.Physical description: Dimensions:351 x 660 mm; on sheet 393 x 687 mmFoliation:The map sheet has been foliated in the front top right hand corner of the folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: 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 1918. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, tables, and letters, containing instructions and reports.An index to the contents of this volume can be found at folios 3-21. The volume covers many topics and events, but mostly relates to:Incident regarding the 49th Bengali regimentTurkish [Ottoman] troops: movements and activities; changes in command; status in the Caucasus region; and distribution on week ending 2 July (ff 94-103) and week ending 9 July (ff 197-205)Details of personnel and supplies, including requirements, across multiple departmentsDetails regarding road and railways constructionDetails of traffic and tonnage [amounts of cargo] transported on railways and shipsMatters relating to the exchange and transport of personnel and supplies between Mesopotamia, India, Egypt, and Persia [Iran]Reorganisation of units within Force D, including creation of new labour corps and proposals for the Machine Gun Corps CentreMatters relating to the Dunsterforce, including: supplies and personnel requirements; activities in northern Persia; intelligence and reports, especially on affairs at Baku and imminent attack on Resht [Rasht] by the Jangalis [Jangalī movement]Matters relating to staff, including: appointments, promotions, pay, leave, and trainingMatters relating to Persia, including: oil fields; relations with Persian Government and tribal leaders; discussions regarding action to be taken in north-western Persia; plans for Abadeh and impact on Dunsterforce; high use of resources; the East Persian Cordon [also referred to as 'E. P. Cordon']; and organisation of Persian Line of Communication unitStatus of various Russian factions in Turkestan and Caspian Sea regionsIntelligence regarding German troops, including: Turko-German relations; activities in Turkestan and Kabul; commanders; policy for eastern Azerbaijan; and status in the Caucasus regionLists of sick and woundedMatters relating to agriculture and farming in Mesopotamia, including reports in newspapers of famineRoyal Air Force reportsDiscussions regarding plans for Caspian and Caucasus regions, especially at BakuIntelligence from the British Military Attaché, Teheran [Tehran]Daily operations reports from the General Officer Commanding, Force DBrief discussions regarding demobilisation and a post-war garrison in MesopotamiaMatters relating to Colonel Lazar Bicharakov [Bicherakov]Prisoners of warDiscussions about expenditure and revenue from occupied territoriesGeneral Officer Commanding's suggested changes to the composition of headquarters of a corps and infantry brigade, following experiences in Mesopotamia.The volume also contains:Distribution of Force D, including details of the lines of communication administration, as well as names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders, as of 20 July (ff 22-42) and 15 June (ff 284-293)Report on irrigational agricultural development in Mesopotamia by T R J Ward, Inspector-General of Irrigation in India, 11 May (ff 49-72), including extracts of reports and notes supplied by: Ward; Colonel L W Lewis, Director of Irrigation; and Captain [Alan?] [Lewis?] Gordon-Walker, Revenue Officer, Basrah [Basra]Appreciations [reports] from the Directorate of Military Operations summarising the situation in Mesopotamia and Persia on 1 July (ff 82-84), 8 July (ff 177-179), and 15 July (ff 320-322)Appreciation by the Commander-in-Chief, India, of the present military situation in ‘the East’ [Salonika [Thessaloniki]; India; Palestine; Mesopotamia; Trans-Caucasia; Trans-Caspia; Turkestan; Persia; and Afghanistan], dated 4 July (ff 126-127)Statements showing strength of the different contingents serving with Force D as of 8 June (ff 145-147), 1 June (ff 222-235), and 15 June (ff 252-253)Monthly report on Government Military Dairies in Mesopotamia for month ending 31 May (ff 149-156)Detailed statements of ration strength of Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force on 1 June (ff 216-222), 8 June (ff 254-259)Monthly wastage [loss or destruction of animals] return for month ending 26 May (ff 276-279) and month ending 28 April (ff 280-283).The file contains a copy of the report (Appendix 264) of the Mesopotamian Transport Commission on the organisation and administration of river and railway transport in Mesopotamia, dating from February 1918 (ff 325-381). The report is split into six chapters:'General Description''Military Organisation for Control and Supervision of Transportation services''Tonnage Requirements and Capacity of Rivers and Railways''Detailed Consideration of Present Conditions''Future Developments''Conclusions and Recommendations'.The report also contains four appendices, covering: 'Inland Water Transport'; 'Railways'; 'Local Resources'; and 'Maps'. The latter appendix comprises two maps, which can be found at IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3303, f 380 and IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3303, f 381. The report and maps were originally kept in the pocket at folio 324 of the volume, but have been moved to a separate archival folder for conservation purposes.Trans-Caucasia, Trans-Caspia, and Turkestan are all historic regions within Central Asia.Whilst the volume contains copies of earlier material dating from December 1917 onwards, the bulk of the material dates from July 1918.Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover of the volume (ff 1-324) and terminates at the last folio of the file (ff 325-381); these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Multiple additional mixed foliation/pagination sequences are also present; these numbers are printed.Dimensions of volume: 21 x 33cm
Abstract: The file contains correspondence between Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Marshman Bailey, the India Office and the Foreign Office, regarding the proposed publication of Bailey's account of his personal experiences as an intelligence officer in Turkestan in 1918-1920, the approval for which is ultimately denied on the grounds that it would be inadvisable at that time to publish a book which held the early Bolshevik regime up to ridicule.The file also contains a request from Bailey, accompanied by his curriculum vitae, that he might be considered again for intelligence work following the military alliance between the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union.A list of correspondence references contained in the file by year appears on the front cover.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 26; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.