1. ‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 47. PART I. (From 1st to 15th June 1918).’

Description:

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 June 1918. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: letters, telegrams, notes, reports, tables, and memoranda.An index to the contents of this volume can be found at folios 3-29. The volume concerns:Appreciations [reports] and intelligence summaries from the Directorate of Military Operations dated 3 June 1918 (ff 65-67), 10 June 1918 (ff 237-238)Supplies, particularly of tinned fruit, tents, and railway equipmentReports from the Royal Flying Corps of machines in service and pilots availableThe movements and aims of DunsterforceCrop forecasts and machinery requirements for the harvest in MesopotamiaMovement of ships and loads transportedLists of officers sailing from England for Basrah [Basra] and IndiaMovements of the Turkish [Ottoman] ArmyReports on health and sanitary conditions, including bilharzia and beriberiProgress of railway communicationsPersonnel requirements and reinforcementsCensorship of lettersThe Ottoman BankMovements and composition of labour corpsInformation about the situation in Baku and Tflis [Tbilisi]A monthly report on dairies dated 8 May 1918 (ff 147-152)A report by Major-General Sir Francis Edward Freeland entitled ‘On the Working and Future Development of the Port of Basra and of the River and Railway Communications in Mesopotamia, April 1918’ (ff 284-323).The following tables appear:Strength return and summaries of Force D on 4 May 1918 (ff 36-38), 20 April 1918 (ff 78-90), 11 May 1918 (ff 166-168), 27 April 1918 (ff 188-203)Weekly return of the sick and wounded on 4 May 1918 (ff 48-49), 11 May 1918 (ff 153-154), 12 May 1918 (ff 258-259)State of supplies on 27 May 1918 (ff 55-57), 31 May 1918 (ff 176-177), 7 June 1918 (ff 272-273)Ration strength of Force D on 11 May 1918 (ff 70-73), 4 May 1918 (ff 181-187), 18 May 1918 (ff 260-263)Distribution of the Turkish Army on 4 June 1918 (ff 95-105), 11 June 1918 (ff 246-255)Distribution of Force D on 11 May 1918 (ff 116-135), 25 May 1918 (ff 223-232)Statement of animal transport and vehicles on 1 May 1918 (ff 217-222).Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 345; 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 3-343; these numbers are printed and are located in the bottom centre of the recto side of each folio.Dimensions: 21 x 33cm

2. ‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 47. PART II. (From 16th to 30th June 1918).’

Description:

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 16 and 30 June 1918. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: letters, telegrams, notes, reports, tables, and memoranda.An index to the contents of this volume can be found at IOR/L/MIL/17/5/3302. The volume concerns:Appreciations [reports] and intelligence summaries from the Directorate of Military Operations dated 17 June 1918 (ff 48-50), 24 June 1918 (ff 216-218)Supplies, particularly of cheese, blankets, and bootsReports from the Royal Flying Corps of machines in service and pilots availableThe movements of, positions of Russian officers within, and communication with DunsterforceMovement of ships and loads transportedLists of officers sailing from England for Aden, Basrah [Basra] and IndiaPersonnel requirements and reinforcementsInstructions to secure shipping and rolling stock at Baku, preparations for a siege there, and relations between Armenians and Bolshevics [Bolsheviks]Information from Tiflis [Tbilisi]Medical conditions and provisions in MesopotamiaThe despatch of Ford Van CompaniesInformation about individual Turkish [Ottoman] prisoners of warProposals by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company to drill oilReports of atrocities committed by Turks on Armenians and the Turkish evacuation of GeorgiaGerman intentions and activities in the CaucasusAppointments of officers in MesopotamiaPreparations for the defence of the oil fields.The following tables appear:Strength return and summaries of Force D on 27 April 1918 (ff 5-27), 18 May 1918 (ff 42-45, ff 299-312), 11 May 1918 (ff 143-158), 1 June 1918 (ff 236-239)Ration strength of Force D on 25 May 1918 (ff 56-60), 18 May 1918 (ff 85-91), 25 May 1918 (ff 274-280), 8 June 1918 (ff 281-285)Distribution of the Turkish Army on 18 June 1918 (ff 65-75), 25 June 1918 (ff 239-241)Distribution of Force D on 1 June 1918 (ff 93-102), 8 June 1918 (ff 178-187)Weekly return of the sick and wounded on 25 May 1918 (ff 106-107), 1 June 1918 (ff 233-234)State of supplies on 17 June 1918 (ff 160-161), 10 June 1918 (ff 192-193)Statement of motor vehicles with Force D on 1 May 1918 (ff 198-215).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 329; these numbers are printed, and are located in the bottom centre of the recto side of each folio.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.Dimensions: 21 x 33cm

3. Sir John Malcolm's mission to Persia: copies of his letters and enclosures to the Governor-General, Fort William

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains letters and enclosures from Captain John Malcolm, British Envoy at Abusheher [Bushehr, various spellings appear in the volume] to the Earl of Mornington, Governor-General, Fort William (Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess, Wellesley, spelled Marquis in the volume). Letters were also sent to Neil Benjamin Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government in the Secret Political and Foreign Department, Fort William; Lieutenant-Colonel William Kirkpatrick, Secretary to the Government in the Foreign Department, Fort William; Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai]; Henry Dundas, President of the Board of Control; and to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors.The letters cover a variety of issues and topics including:Malcolm's journey to Persia [Iran], via Muscat, and his meeting with the Imam of Oman [Sayyid Sulṭān bin Aḥmad Āl Bū Sa‘īd, also written as Imaum]Malcolm's arrival at Abusheher and his reception by Persian officialsHis visits to a number of cities and regions including: Muscat, Hormuz [Jazireh-ye Hormoz], Kishm [Qishm], Anjam, Sheraz [Shiraz, various spellings appear in the volume], Isfahaun [Isfahan], Kashan [Kashan], and Teheraun [Tehran]Malcolm’s observations on the following: a general view of the former trade of European nations with the Persian Gulph [Gulf], from its first establishment until the year 1763; the present state of the trade with the Persian Gulph; the model by which the East India Company (EIC) could improve its trade; the port best situated for a settlement in the Gulph; an estimate of revenues and expenses; and the best way to carry this plan (ff 29-62)His communication with the ambassadors from the late Tippoo Sultan [Sulṭān Fātiḥ ʻAlī Ṣāḥib Tīpū, Ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, d 1799], to the Court of Persia offering his advice to enable them to return to IndiaCorrespondence with Jaffier Ali Khan [Ja‘far ‘Alī Khān, various spellings appear in the volume], ‘Native Agent’ in Sheraz; and with Mirza Mehdi Alli Khan [Mirzā Mahdī ‘Alī Khān, various spellings appear in the volume], ‘Native Agent’ in AbusheherMalcolm’s memoir on the origin and rise to power of the Royal Family of Persia, covering narration of the character of Baba Khan [Fatḥ ʻAlī Shāh Qājār], his ministers and generals, the Persian army, the internal state of Persia, and its foreign relations (ff 68-76)‘Abridged memoir of the Khajar [Qājār] Family’ (ff 77-92)Reports received from Herat about the advance of Zemaun Shah’s army [Zamān Shāh Durānī, Amīr of Afghanistan] in PersiaRussian-Persian war over GeorgiaPersian-Afghan WarBritish-Afghan relations‘Substance of a Declaration or manifest of the Empress Catherine the 2nd on taking up arms against Aka Mahummud Khan [Āqā Muḥammad Khān Qājār], King of Persia, printed at Astracan [Astrakhan] 23rd May 1796 in the Russian and Armenian languages’ (ff 114-117)Translations of rukums [royal grants confirming specific trading privileges] from the Shah of Persia, Futteh Ally Khaun [Fatḥ ʻAlī Shāh Qājār, various spellings appear in the volume] (ff 128-129 and ff 182-183)The relations between Zemaun Shah and the late Tippoo SultanArrangements for Malcolm to meet with the Shah of PersiaThe French activities in Baghdad [also spelled as Bagdad] and Bussorah [Basra]The appointment of certain officials in the Persian CourtThe communication between the Shah of Persia and Prince Mahomood [Maḥmūd Shāh Durānī, brother of Zamān Shāh]Copies of a Political treaty (ff 247v-251) and a Commercial treaty (ff 253v-259r) between the English Government and the Government of Persia. Each treaty was preceded by firmaun [farman, also spelled as Firimaun] from Futteh Ally Khaun (ff 246-247, 252-253, and 258v-259r)The possibilities of the Russian Government forming a connection either with the Aosbegs [Uzbeks] led by Shah Mooraud [Shāh Murād r 1785–1800], Zemaun Shah, or the Persians for the purpose of invading IndiaMalcolm’s arrival at Baghdad and his meeting with Soliman Pacha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, also spelled as Pashaw]; Harford Jones, British Resident at Baghdad; and Samuel Manesty, British Resident at BussorahA journal of Malcolm’s mission to Persia including notes on the manners and habits of the Persian Court, and details of general military affairs in the region (ff 288-291).Further correspondence, included as enclosures in the volume, comes from Persian officials: Cheragh Ali Khan, Wakeelud dawlah [Chirāgh ‘Alī Khān Navā’ī, Wakil al-Dawlah, Vizier to the Prince Regent of Shiraz]; Hajy Abrahim [Ḥājjī Ibrāhīm Khān Zand Kalāntar Shīrāzī, Eʿtemād al-Dawlah, Persian Prime Minister]; and Reza Kouli Khan, Governor of Kazeroon (Rezā Qulī Khān, Governor of Kazerun]. Besides some intelligence received from notable merchants, and native inhabitants of Afghanistan, Georgia and Persia.The volume includes some duplications, and some faded letters/enclosures.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 293; 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 pagination sequence.