Abstract: This volume is
A Handbook of Mesopotamia, Volume I, General(Naval Staff, Intelligence Department: November 1918). This is an updated and expanded edition of
A Handbook of Mesopotamia, Volume I, General(Admiralty War Staff, Intelligence Department: August 1916) (IOR/L/MIL17/15/41/1). This is an introductory volume containing matter of a general nature giving an account of conditions in Mesopotamia, for the most part as they were before the First World War.The volume includes a note on official use, a title page and 'Note'. There is a page of 'Contents' that includes the following chapters and sections:Chapter 1: Boundaries and Physical Features;Chapter 2: Climate;Chapter 3: Minerals;Chapter 4: Fauna and Flora;Chapter 5: Hygiene;Chapter 6: History;Chapter 7: Inhabitants;Chapter 8: Religions;Chapter 9: Administration;Chapter 10: Irrigation of Irak [Iraq];Chapter 11: Agriculture and Land Tenure;Chapter 12: Commerce and Industry;Chapter 13: Currency, Weights, and Measures;Chapter 14: Communications and Transport;Vocabularies;Index.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 of the folio.Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This volume is
A Handbook of Mesopotamia, Volume II, Irak, The Lower Kārūn, and Luristan(Admiralty War Staff Intelligence Division, May, 1917), covering the regions of the Shatt el-‘Arab [Shaṭṭ al-‘Arab], Kārūn, Luristan, and the Tigris and Euphrates up to Baghdad and Fellūjeh [Fallūjah]. The volume was prepared on behalf of the Admiralty and War Office, and appears to be based on official and unofficial publications and maps which are cited in a bibliographical section in the volume.The volume includes a note on confidentiality, a title page, 'Note', 'Abbreviations'. There is a 'Contents' which include the following sections:Introduction;River Routes (Shatt el-‘Arab, The Kārūn, The Tigris, The Euphrates, The Shatt el-Hai);Land Routes (The Region of the Shatt el-‘Arab, The Tigris Valley, The Region of the Lower Kārūn River of Luristan, The Euphrates Valley, Connexions between the Tigris and Euphrates Valley, The Arabian Desert);Railways;Gazetteer of Towns;Bibliographical Note and List of Maps;Transliteration of Names;Glossary;Appendices (A: Notes on Weather on the Tigris, B: The Control of the Tigris Water, C: The Control of the Euphrates Water, D: Oil-Fields of the Mesopotamia and Persian Frontier, E: Note on Mules);Index;Plates;Maps.The volume includes eight plates that illustrate the volume. There are also three maps:'Baghdad';'City Map of Baghdad';'Mesopotamia: Outline Map Showing Routes'.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 the folio.Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Table giving abstracts of proposals made by the War Cabinet, with comments on those proposals by Sir Percy Zachariah Cox and the Government of India.The proposals include:Occupied territories being administered by His Majesty's Government, instead of the Government of IndiaBasra to remain under British administrationBagdad [Baghdad] to be an Arab state with a local ruler of Government, but under British protection, using local laws and institutions where possible.British Civil Service (in Mesopotamia) to be amalgamated with that of Soudan [Sudan] and the Levant.Shiah holy places to be a separate enclave not under direct British controlIrrigation, Navigation and Rivers to be under British administrationKoweit [Kuwait] and Arabian littoral of Persian Gulf, including Oman, to be controlled by BasraSouth Persia to be within Government of India's sphere of influencePhysical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 130 and terminates at folio 131, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 between folios 6-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The report details the investigation undertaken by the sub-committee in looking at the division of work between the Indian and Mesopotamian services, and sources of recruitment for the latter. The recommendations based on the report comprise:The limits of the Bagdad Vilayet and the question of holy places: focusing particularly on the need for British Control of the canal system and land irrigated by it.Arab administration in Bagdad Vilayet: discussing the unsuitability of the 'Irak Code' in administering Bagdad and the need to maintain the local judicial system as far as possible.Headquarters of Government: stating that their belief that the title and place of residence of the Head of the Mesopotamian Administration would depend on the future of the Basra Vilayet and that the title needed to ensure the continuing the Arab 'facade'.Civil Service: Regarding the potential need for a special Civil Service for Mesopotamia, the possibility of amalgamating it with the Sudan, and the likely need for Officers from the Indian Services.West and South Coast of Persian Gulf: proposing that the Arabian littoral of the Persian Gulf be placed under the control of Mesopotamian authorities instead of the Government of India.Aden and South Coast of Arabia: recommending that the opportunity be taken to relieve the Government of India of Aden and its dependencies.The report concludes by recommending that administrative arrangements for Mesopotamia should be consistent with the future policy of His Majesty's Government and discussing possible alternatives for the current international position of the Bagdad Vilayet.The Sub-Committee was composed of Thomas William Holderness; Mark Sykes; Arthur Henry McMahon; (Frederic) Arthur Hirtzel; Ronald Graham; and George R Clerk. The secretary to the Committee, who produced the report dated 27 March 1917 was John Evelyn Shuckburgh.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 123 and terminates at folio 124, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 folios 6-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The draft report of the Mesopotamian Administration Committee containing recommendations made by the committee.These recommendations include:The occupied territories of Mesopotamia being administered in the future by His Majesty's Government and not by the Government of India;The Basra Vilayet territory remaining permanently under British administration;Proposed boundaries for the region which would ensure that Holy Places remained outside of British control;The proposed system of Arab Administration of the Bagdad Vilayet, including the committee's desire for the 'Irak Code' not to be implemented there and local judicial systems to be maintained where possible;The considerations needed over the title and place of residence of the future Head of the Mesopotamian Administration, which would depend on the future status of the Basra Vilayet, and on concerns over how a potential British position of 'High Commissioner of Mesopotamia' might look to the Arabs;The possible need for the creation of a Mesopotamia Civil Service which could be amalgamated with that of the Sudan and also the Levant;Arabistan [Khuzestan] and the Sheikh of Mohammera [Khorramshahr] remaining under the political influence of Southern Persia, which should be under British influence; and the Bakhtiari county to be included in the British sphere of influence of the Indian Government;the placing of responsibility for the Arabian littoral and Muscat under Mesopotamian authorities rather than the Government of India;The relieving of the Government of India of responsibility for Aden and its dependencies;That the administration of Mesopotamia should perhaps be arranged along similar lines to Egypt.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 125 and terminates at folio 126, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 folios 6-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: Copies of Telegrams between the Viceroy (Frederic Thesiger, The Lord Chelmsford), Secretary of State (Austen Chamberlain) and Sir Percy Zachariah Cox on the future administration of Mesopotamia, March to April 1917:Telegram P 1234 from Viceroy, Foreign Department, 26 March 1917: regarding the need for steps to be taken to overhaul and replace the defunct Turksh administration and for the work of the civil departments to continue in Bagdad.Telegram P 1315 from Secretary of State to Viceroy, Foreign Department, 29 March 1917: regarding the Committee of the War Cabinet's conclusions for the future administration and political control of Mesopotamia and Arabia, including that occupied territories were to be administered by His Majesty's Government; that Basra was to remain permanently under British administration; Bagdad to be an Arab state under British protection and to be administered as an Arab province and without the use of the 'Irak Code'; Koweit [Kuwait] and Arabian littoral, including Oman, to be controlled by Basra;Telegram P 1434 from Sir Percy Cox, to the Government of India, 7 April 1917: giving Cox's own opinions that there is no suitable candidate to be ruler and that perhaps an administrative council would be more appropriate; the need for a uniform code of law for both Bagdad and Basra; proposals for Nejef [Najaf] and Kerbela [Karbala] to be independent townships; and expressing his willingness to undertake the carrying out of this policy if required.Telegram P 1433 from Sir Percy Cox, to the Foreign Department, Government of India, 8 April 1917: requesting information on the individuals proposed for the positions of Judicial Adviser and Subordinate Revenue Officers and suggesting Colonel Knox for the position of Judicial Adviser.Draft of a proposed telegram to the Viceroy, undated but after 7 April 1917: advising that no work on introducing an Arab administration should be undertaken whilst Mesopotamia is under military occupation, and that only such administration as is required to preserve order and meet the needs of the occupying force.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 127 and terminated at folio 129, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 folios 6-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This printed memorandum is a report by the Political Department, India Office, dated 30 January 1918, concerning British engagements as to the future status of Mesopotamia. It is divided into two sections containing extracts from various correspondence and sources. The first section concerns pledges made to local Arabs, for example, the Arab chiefs in the Persian Gulf and the peoples of Basra and Baghdad between 1914 and 1918. The second section concerns pledges made to King Husain [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī], King of Hijaz, between 1915 and 1918.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 31 and terminates at folio 32, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 folios 11-158; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This is a printed note prepared by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Political Department of the India Office, dated 6 February 1918, concerning trade in Mesopotamia vis-à-vis consolidating Britain's commercial interests in light of Robert Erskine Holland and John Henry Wilson's 1917 report,
The Prospects of British Trade in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf. This note pays special attention to navigation and transportation, banking, irrigation, communication, education, and the establishment of a Commercial Bureau and Department of Agriculture.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 36 and terminates at folio 39, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 folio 11-158; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: A signed proof, folios 1-100, plus additional material, folios 101-124. The cover bears the signature of Sir Arthur Hirtzel, Assistant Under-Secretary of State. The report has been annotated in blue pencil at various points.Contents:'Part I. Preface.'Part II. Origin of Mesopotamia [Iraq] Expedition.''Part III. Advance from Basra to Kurna.''Part IV. The Advance to Amara [Al-'Amārah] and Kut [Al-Kūt].''Part V. Correspondence and Telegrams as to Advance on Baghdad.''Part VI. The Advance from Kut to Ctesiphon.''Part VII. Operations for Relief of Kut.''Part VIII. Armament, Equipment, Reinforcements, &c.''Part IX. Transport.''Part X. Medical Breakdown.''Part XI. Causes Contributing to the Errors of Judgement and Shortcomings of Responsible Authorities.''Part XII. Findings and Conclusions. Recommendations.''Separate Report by Commander J Wedgwood, DSO, MP.''Appendix I. Vincent-Bingley Report.''Appendix II. Memorandum by Sir Beauchamp Duff.''Appendix III. Colonel Hehir's Account of the Siege of Kut-el-Amara.'Additional material:Folio 101. Manuscript note [by Arthur Hirtzel] on net military expenditure.Folios 102-109. Copy of the East India (Army Administration),
Further Papers regarding the Administration of the Army in India, 1906.Folios 110-115. Manuscript notes, titled 'Suggested redraft & amplification of second half of parag 1' [unknown hand].Folio 116. A clipping from the
Daily Telegraph, Wednesday 4 July 1917, featuring an article titled 'Mesopotamia. Ex-Viceroy's Statement. The Medical Breakdown.'Folios 117-124. An expanded typescript version of Hirtzel's manuscript notes (folio 101).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 124; 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 present in parallel between ff 110-115; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence. The volume comprises a stitched pamphlet, and other stitched and loose-leaf material.
Abstract: This file is comprised of correspondence concerning the provision of an additional Brigade for Force D in Mesopotamia. Issues discussed include: equipment to be supplied; maintaining military strength on the North West Frontier of India (folio 45); date of dispatch; and inclusion of horse artillery.The correspondents include the Commander-in-Chief, India; the War Office, London; the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Mesopotamia; and the Director of Ordnance Services, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 57; 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 present in parallel; these numbers are written in coloured crayon and pencil.
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 May 1917. 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 3-11. The volume concerns:Troop movementsMilitary operations, including actions on the Adhaim [Al-‘Uzaym] riverReports from the fronts on the Tigris and Euphrates, the Caucasus, and southern Persia [Iran]Issues concerning Inland Water Transport, including the transfer of ships from India to Mesopotamia and details of craft lost on rivers in MesopotamiaSupplies for Force D, including ammunition, guns, and tentsCombat and non-combat reinforcements for Force D from India, Egypt, and Mauritius, in particular Labour CorpsStaff appointmentsRailways, including railway construction and repair, traffic statistics, and the transfer of rails and rolling stock from India to MesopotamiaThe movements and strength of Turkish [Ottoman) forces, including intelligence received from deserters and prisoners of warThe movements of Russian forces; the effects of the Russian Revolution of February 1917The court martial and sentencing of troops from the 3rd Brahmans for ‘mutinous conduct’Aerial operationsRelations with tribes, including ‘punitive measures’ against tribes resisting the British occupation of MesopotamiaThe proposed deportation of Turkish families from British-occupied BaghdadPolitical developments in Najd and HailThe question of the future political administration of MesopotamiaMedical issues, including Medical Advisory Committee report on sickness and sanitary measures in Force D (ff 165-180)Issues around currency and exchange rates in British-occupied MesopotamiaReported activity of German agentsThe political situation in Persia and the effect on this of the Russian Revolution of February 1917.The following tables appear:The distribution, composition, and organisation of Force D (ff 12-29, ff 112-117, ff 139-142) and names of officers in order of superiority (ff 30-31)Units captured at Kut-al-Amarah [Kut] (f 30)Artillery and ammunition available in Mesopotamia (ff 36-37, ff 130-131)Distribution and strength of Turkish forces (ff 39-47, f 133, f 155, ff 244-246)British aerial operations between 18 and 24 February 1917 (ff 49-51)Medical statistics (ff 54-56, ff 88-89, ff 151-152, ff 178-179, ff 182-183, ff 197-198, ff 212-214, f 216, ff 218-220, ff 226-227)Disinfection measures and equipment (ff 57-58, ff 65-66)Inland Water Transport personnel as of 10 February 1917 (f 67)Shipping statistics (f 68, f 132, f 232, f 241)The state of supplies on the morning of 28 April 1917 (ff 76-80, ff 81-82), the morning of 5 May 1917 (ff 128-129, ff 137-138), and the morning of 12 May 1917 (ff 238-240)Railway traffic in Mesopotamia in the weeks ending 24 April 1917 (ff 80-81) and 3 May 1917 (f 126)Royal Flying Corps (RFC) report listing available aircraft and pilots in the week ending 3 May 1917 (f 93) and 10 May 1917 (f 152)Ration strength of Force D on 8 April 1917 (ff 109-111), 22 April 1917 (ff 124-125), and 29 April 1917 (ff 192-197)Distribution of land transport with Force D on 1 April 1917 (f 123)Reinforcements for Force D (ff 150-151)Inland Water Transport statistics for the week ending 17 February 1917 (ff 221-223) and 24 February 1917 (ff 229-231).Also included are:‘Diary of Information’ No. 42 dated 31 March 1917, covering: aerial operations; approximate translations of songs by Indian troops; a report on sanitation dated 31 January 1917; Inland Water Transport report for the week ending 10 February 1917; construction and engineering works in Mesopotamia and British-occupied southern Persia; and the Christmas mail for Mespotamia (ff 49-74)War reportage from around Samarra and on the Adhaim in the
Pioneer, 17 April to 8 May (ff 145-148, f 156)‘Diary of Information’ No. 43 dated 7 April 1917, covering issues including: tribal guards in the employ of British Political Officers; a description of Nasiriyah; railway operations; aerial operations between 25 February-11 March 1917, including during the capture of Baghdad; medical affairs, including reports on malaria and other infectious diseases and laboratory reports; and Inland Water Transport report for the week ending 17 February 1917 (ff 205-225)‘Diary of Information’ No. 44 dated 14 April 1917, covering issues including: medical affairs, including laboratory reports; Inland Water Transport report for the week ending 24 February 1917; Army Ordnance Department report for the month of February 1917; an essay on British administration in occupied Mesopotamia by General Staff Intelligence entitled ‘The Pax Britannica in the Occupied Territories’; and aerial operations carried out between 12 and 25 March 1917 (ff 225-237).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 249; 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 3-247; these numbers are printed and are located in the bottom centre of the recto side of each folio.
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 November 1917. This is accompanied by appendices containing copies and extracts of these papers, which include: telegrams, tables, memoranda, and letters.The volume concerns:Reinforcements for Force D, including horses, medical officers, railway staff, and machine gunnersThe appointment of officers in Force DThe supply of food, ordnance, clothing, oil, and other items to Force DScheduling of supply shipments from India to Basrah [Basra]The supply of agricultural equipment for a ‘cultivation scheme’Recruitment of railway workers from Malaysia and Siam [Thailand] for service in MesopotamiaReport from the Royal Flying Corps of machines and pilots available for service in MesopotamiaPlans for the construction of flour mills at BaghdadConstruction and improvement of railways in MesopotamiaBritish aerial bombardment of an aerodrome at Kifri, and Turkish [Ottoman] army camps at Fathah [Al-Fathah]British attacks on Turkish positions near Daur [Ad-Dawr] on 2 November 1917, and at Tekrit on 5 November 1917Intelligence concerning the movement of German and Turkish military units in Mesopotamia, including the arrival of German aviation unitsIntelligence acquired from captured enemy deserters, including estimates of Turkish troop numbers, plans made by German and Turkish commanders, and supply shortages within the Turkish ArmyIntelligence reports on formation of a ‘special Intelligence service’ by the Turkish and German militaries, including names and assignments of suspected enemy agentsDiscussion of the treatment of Russian subjects captured while serving as part of the Turkish ArmyBritish Indian citizens found guilty of ‘waging war’ or ‘abetting in the waging of war against His Britannic Majesty’ and sentenced to death or transportationMatters relating to Russia, including: Russian reluctance to send more troops to Mesopotamia; the arrival of a Russian air squadron at Mendali [Mandali]; news of a ‘counter revolution in Petrograd [Saint Petersburg]’ received 9 November 1917Skirmishes between German and Persian [Iranian] troops at Turshiz [Kashmar]Dispatch of British troops from Ahwaz [Ahvaz, Iran] to ‘quell disturbances’ in ShushtarA diary of information dated 20 October 1917, covering climate data and the customs, language, and attitudes of the Kurdish population of Hakkiari [Hakkari, a mountainous region spanning modern Iraq and Turkey].The volume also contains:Distribution and composition of Force D, including details of: lines of communication; general organisation; unit locations; and names of General Officers and Brigade Commanders (ff 3-4)Distribution of Force D on 14 October 1917 (ff 71-76)Ration strength of Force D on 29 September 1917 (ff 62-69), 13 October 1917 (ff 30-34), and October 20 (ff 153-157)Detailed ration strength of Force D on 6 October 1917 (ff 163-170)Weekly returns of sick and wounded dated 13 October 1917 (ff 18-19), 20 October 1917 (ff 58-59), and 27 October 1917 (ff 145-146)Statement of tonnage received from India during September 1917 (ff 196-198)Distribution of the Turkish Army for the week ending 6 November 1917 (ff 94-96) and 13 November 1917 (ff 244-246)State of supplies in stock and at sea as of 3 November 1917 (ff 107-108), 10 November 1917 (ff 250-251).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 268; 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 5-266; these numbers are printed and are located in the bottom centre of the recto side of each folio.Dimensions: 21 x 33cm