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1. 'PERSIAN GULF AND GULF OF OMAN. RESOURCES AND COAST DEFENCES. 1903.'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains a printed report published by the 'Admiralty, Intelligence Department (No. 694). September 1903.', providing a compilation of available information of naval, military and political value about various locations in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Places described include Muscat, Mussandam Promontory, Khor Kawi [Khawr al Quway‘], Elphinstone Inlet [Khawr ash Shamm], Khasab, Pirate Coast [Arabian Coast], Bahrain, Kuwait, Fao [Al Fāw], Basra, Mohammerah [Khorramshahr], Bushire, Lingah and Bundar Abbas [Bandar Abbas].Much of the information was extracted from the Persian Gulf Pilot, 1898. The report also includes an 'Official statement of British Policy with regard to (1) the proposed Baghdad Railway; and (2) Persia and the Persian Gulf generally' given in the House of Lords, 5 May 1903; and advice on collecting information on defences such as defended areas, minefields, ordnance and under-water defences.Two hand-stamps appear on the front cover and on folio 3, which read, 'War Office Library 27 Nov 1903', and, 'Mobilization and Intelligence Dept. 27 Nov 1903'.The volume contains seven maps.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence 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.Pagination: an original printed pagination sequence is present in parallel throughout.
2. ‘Persian Gulf. Proceedings of the Resident during his last annual Tour of the Arabian Coast – Vol: 2’
- Description:
- Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2302/118727. The correspondents are the Government of Bombay and Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. It is the second in a series of fifty-one items on the Persian Gulf.The item concerns Hennell’s report of a cruise he undertook of the Arabian Coast, including details of his interviews with the chiefs of Bahrein [Bahrain, Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah], Shargah [Sharjah, Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī], and Debaye [Dubai, Shaikh Maktūm I bin Buṭṭī Āl Bū Falāseh]. The topics covered include:Bahreini [Bahraini] subjects on Kenn [Kish Island]The decline of Wahabee [Wahhābi] power [the Second Saudi State]An agreement between Shargah, Ejman [Ajman], Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn], and latterly, Debaye, not to accept each other’s fugitivesA planned expedition against Brymee [Al Buraymi] by BahreinTwo enslaved people rescued from EjmanA complaint that a Bahreini boat had been boarded near Bidda [al-Bid’].The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Collection No 1 of No 129’, ‘Coll[ection]: 17’ and ‘Draft no 465 of 49’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 325, and terminates at f 343, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
3. 'Policy - Mesopotamia'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence regarding the Mesopotamia Campaign of the First World War during May-December 1917. The correspondence discusses strategy, provisioning and recruitment. It is particularly concerned with a perceived unreliability as allies of Russian forces in Mesopotamia [Iraq].The primary correspondents are: the Commander-in-Chief, India; the General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia; and the Chief of Imperial General Staff.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 18; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
4. 'Policy etc. following Genl. Smuts recommendations: Egypt and Mesopotamia'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence regarding military policy and strategy in Egypt and Mesopotamia [Iraq] during the First World War in response to recommendations made by General Jan Christiaan Smuts, Defence Minister of South Africa and a member of the Imperial War Cabinet.Topics covered in the correspondence include: a proposed policy of defence in Mesopotamia to allow troops and equipment to be transferred to Palestine; construction of railways in and between Palestine and Egypt; and the transfer of troops and artillery from Palestine to France and Salonika [Thessaloniki].The primary correspondents are: the Commander-in-Chief, India; the Commander-in-Chief, Egypt; and the War Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 24; 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 blue crayon.
5. 'FRENCH POSSESSIONS IN THE GULF OF ADEN. COMPILED BY CAPTAIN E.J.E SWAYNE, 16TH BENGAL INFANTRY.'
- Description:
- Abstract: This volume consists of an intelligence document issued by the Government of India, Intelligence Branch, Quarter Master General's Department, which provides comprehensive descriptions of French possessions on the African coast of the Gulf of Aden, including the towns of Obok [Obock] and Jibouti [Djibouti]. The volume contains two maps held in a map pocket, and is divided into nine sections.The volume was compiled by Eric John Eagles Swayne, 16th Bengal Infantry. The printing statement reads, 'Simla: Printed at the Government Central Printing Office. 1895.'Two hand stamps appear on the front cover and on folio 5, which read, 'War Office Library 15 Jan 96' and 'Intelligence Division 15 Jan 1896'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 36; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
6. 'The Persian Situation'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file consists of a report which discusses ways in which Britain might protect its interests in Persia. The report, written by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Secretary to the Political Department, India Office, begins by stressing the importance of Britain taking an active interest in affairs in Persia, since events there may have an impact on Britain's position in India.Shuckburgh opines that Persia, as a body politic, is in the last stages of decay and decomposition, and he describes how the country has been used as a base for anti-British agitation in Afghanistan and elsewhere.Whilst noting that the British occupation of Baghdad in March 1917 appeared to redress the balance of power in the East in Britain's favour, Shuckburgh argues that the Russian revolution has upset all calculations; he remarks that Russia has ceased to be an effective ally against German and Turkish threats to Britain's presence in Persia and may in fact become a potential enemy.Shuckburgh suggests that Britain requests that the Persian Government takes steps to protect the North-West frontier of Persia (with an offer of British military assistance), whilst making it clear that if prompt and effective action does not appear to be forthcoming then Britain will take certain measures in accordance with its own interests in the East.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 120, and terminates at f 121, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
7. 'The situation in Turkey, 15th March, 1920'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file details the situation in Turkey as of 15 March 1920, and presents the potential consequences, for both the Turks and the Allies, of presenting Turkey with a peace treaty which is too severe. It is Written by the General Staff, War Office. It is broken down into two parts and 4 appendices as follows:'Part I – Information';'Part II – Operations';'Appendix A' – Table of Allied units and strength broken down by nation and location;'Appendix B' – Table of present personnel and equipment of the Armenian army;'Appendix C' – Table of the location of the Turkish army and armaments officially reported by the Turks;'Appendix D' – Report recording the impressions of a British lieutenant-colonel who, during December and January, 1919-20, made a tour of the Turkish side of the Greek Line around Smyrna.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 8; 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.
8. 'Persia. Bakhtiari Offer of Military Assistance.'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file consists of a note, written by John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Secretary, Political Department, India Office. It concerns a recent offer of military assistance, which was reportedly made to the British Vice-Consul at Ahwaz [Edward William Charles Noel, British Vice-Consul, Ahvāz, Iran] by the Bakhtiari [Baḵtīārī] Ilkhani, Sardar Zafar. The Ilkhani is reported to have offered to place at the disposal of the British '5000 good cavalry for service against the Kashgais [Qashqais] or elsewhere'.The file goes on to state a series of concrete proposals, formulated by Captain Arnold Talbot Wilson [Civil Commissioner, Mesopotamia], following his discussions with the Vice-Consul at Ahwaz. Wilson reportedly proposes that the Ilkhani should be invited to maintain a force of 1500 men under his own command, with the objectives being to stabilise the situation in Ispahan and maintain the authority of the Ilkhani in Bakhtiari territories.Also discussed are the views of Sir Charles Murray Marling [British Minister, Tehran] (who fears that the proposal will bring about a split in the Bakhtiari tribe) and of Sir Herbert Cox [Secretary, Military Department, India Office] (who strongly supports the proposals).Shuckburgh concludes that the Political Department is strongly inclined to the opinion that Wilson's proposals should be approved by His Majesty's Government, since Sardar Zafar's offer affords the British a favourable opportunity of committing the Bakhtiari tribe to their cause.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 153, and terminates at f 154, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
9. 'The development of the military strength of Turkey. [Translated from the "International Revue" for November 1893 and "Die Reichswehr" for February 1894.]'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains three extracts from German papers, translated and commented on by Captain Offley Bohun Stovin Fairless Shore in 1894, detailing the latest up-to-date information on the armed strength of Turkey at the time.The extract from the International Revuefor November 1893, discusses press underestimation of Tukey's military system, covering the Artillery Reorganisation Programme of 1886-87, the subdivision of the empire into territorial zones, military reform, mobilisation arrangements, armament, cavalry, and regiment organisation.In contrast, two extracts from Die Reichswehrdiscuss the incompleteness of the existing Turkish military preparations. Die Reichswehrdated 11 February 1994 covers the distribution (dislocation) of troops, unsatisfactory armament, and lack of training for officers. Die Reichswehrdated 21 March 1894 breaks down the dislocation of the Turkish army, and covers the lack of armaments, and of cavalry and artillery horses.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 8; 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.
10. 'Plan for operations in Turkish Mesopotamia'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file is a report, compiled by the Army Headquarters and printed in 1914 at the Government Monotype Press (Simla), regarding planning for operations in Turkish Mesopotamia (Iraq). The report has been compiled on the basis of the latest information available and with approval of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.The report is divided into two sections. The first section, entitled 'Information' (folios 2-3), gives topographical and geographical information concerning Iraq, as well as details concerning supplies, telegraphic communications, naval and military strength, the local Arabs of Mesopotamia, and important local chiefs. A further paragraph (number 11 on folio 3v) has been pasted into the report after printing. The second section, entitled 'Plan' (folio 4), sets out a plan of operations for the occupation of Basrah [Basra] and the Shatt-al-Arab [Shaṭṭ al-‘Arab], as part of Britain's general scheme of military action against Turkey. Details are given regarding the strength of Turkish forces, landing at Umm Qasr, local chiefs, clothing and tentage, special equipment, transport, and supplies.The file also includes a map, 'Lower Mesopotamia', on folio 5, which is referenced in the text of the report.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
11. 'Quetta-Seistan Railway'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file consists of a report by the Secretary of State for India [Joseph Austen Chamberlain], which is addressed to the Prime Minister [Herbert Henry Asquith]. The report concerns a proposal, made by the Commander-in-Chief in India [Sir Beauchamp Duff], to extend the Quetta–Nushki railway to Seistan, on the grounds that it is a 'cogent military necessity'.The report includes extracts from a telegram and a minute from the former Viceroy and Governor-General of India in Council, Lord Curzon, dated 4 September 1899 and 28 October 1901, which summarise the history of the proposed scheme and the various political, strategic and commercial arguments and counter-arguments relating to it.This summary is followed by two telegrams from the current Viceroy [Frederic John Napier Thesiger], dated 26 July and 29 July 1916 respectively. The first of these summarises the current military case for an extension to the line (which was put forward by the Commander-in-Chief in India) as follows: any continuation of the recent Turkish advance into Western Persia may result in the Government of India having to increase its military presence in Eastern Persia, which would require improved communications between Nushki and Seistan; it is further argued that a broad-gauge railway – running from Nushki to at least as far Dalbandin – although more expensive than mechanical transport, would be a preferred solution to the current reliance on camel transport.The first telegram provides the Government of India's response to these proposals. It argues that the scheme can only be justified on 'cogent military grounds', before adding that the limitation of the extension to Dalbandin would be a half measure which would not provide adequate relief to the current situation, nor aid wider strategic contingencies.The second telegram details the Railway Board's rough estimate of the cost of extending the line (2,000,000 l).Also included in the report are the following three minutes:a minute from the India Office's Political Department, dated 27 July 1916, which refrains from expressing an opinion on the strategic implications of extending the line, but concludes that the commercial prospects would be sufficient to warrant constructing a line. The minute opines that an extension as far as Dalbandin would be the more practical of Duff's two proposals;a minute, dated 28 July 1916, in which the Military Secretary to the India Office, General Sir Edmund Barrow GCB, makes the argument that the entire line would take one and a half years to build, and that therefore it is not likely to be of use during the present war. Barrow supports the Commander-in-Chief's suggestion of extending the line as far as Dalbandin, in the hope that it may be of some use in the war effort (the implication being that motor and camel transport could be relied upon from Dalbandin to Seistan);a minute from the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India, Sir Thomas William Holderness, dated 29 July 1916. The minute argues that a decision on whether to extend the line should be made based on the actual or possible necessities of the present war, and that future political, commercial or strategic requirements should not come into consideration.The Secretary of State for India begins the report with an extract from a private telegram, dated 25 July 1916, from the Viceroy to the Secretary of State for India, in which the Viceroy suggests that the matter requires the advice of the Chief of Imperial General Staff (Sir William Robert Robertson).The Secretary of State for India informs the Prime Minister that an immediate decision is required on the following:whether an extension of the line is a 'cogent military necessity', which should be undertaken at once;whether the extension can be carried out in time to be of use for the purposes stated by the Commander-in-Chief;whether an extension to Dalbandin would be sufficient.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 8, and terminates at f 13, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
12. 'Railway Policy in relation to General Military Policy in the Middle East'
- Description:
- Abstract: This printed report by the General Staff, War Office, concerns Great Britain's railway policy in relation to general military policy in the Middle East, covering projects in Mesopotamia, Persia, India, Syria and Palestine. There are also details concerning the question of track gauge and general conclusions. There are three appendices which include printed related correspondence and a map of 'The Middle East, Showing Railways Gauges, 1918' which is not present in this volume.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence for this file commences at folio 21, and terminates at folio 25, 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 7-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
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