'Mesopotamia Commission. Report of the Commission Appointed by Act of Parliament to Enquire into the Operations of War in Mesopotamia, together with a Special Report by Commander J Wedgwood, DSO, MP, and Appendices. London: HMSO, 1917.' [‎7v] (14/248)

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PART II.—ORIGIN OF MESOPOTAMIA EXPEDITION.
1 . Towards the close of September, 1914, it became self-evident that Turkey was
likely to become a hostile belligerent, and in anticipation of this contingency ir ^ 1 ^ n
Barrow, Military Secretary of the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , wrote a Minute on September 26th, 1914,
entitled: “ The role of India in a Turkish War.” He was strongly in favour of an expedition
being sent to occupy Basra, and he concluded his Minute in the following wor s .
This seems the psychological moment to take action. So unexpected a stroke at this moment would
have a startling effect:
(1) It would checkmate Turkish intrigues and demonstrate our ability to strike.
(2) It would encourage the Arabs to rally to us, and confirm the Sheikhs of Muhammerah and
Koweit in their allegiance.
(3) It would safeguard Egypt, and without Arab support a Turkish invasion is impossible.
(4) It would effectually protect the oil-installation at Abadan.
Such results seem to justify fully the proposed action.
2 . With regard to the oil-installation referred to, we may explain that it belonged to
the Anglo-Persian Oil Co., in which the British Government had recently become large
shareholders on account of the importance attached by the Admiralty to the oil-supply
from the Company’s wells.
3 . A considerable correspondence now took place between India and England, from
which it appears that Enver Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and a number of German confederates weie intriguing
against the British Government, and that arms and ammunition were being sent to different
places in Turkish territory, that many secret emissaries, including German officers, were
about to try and raise a Jehad in the countries lying between Mesopotamia and India.
4 . The Government ultimately decided, after consultation with India, that a part of
Expedition A should be diverted to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and that it should land at Bahrein.
The proposal seemed sound and justifiable in itself, as it was likely to prove an effective
counter to German and Turkish intrigues. The force demanded by the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. was
originally only a brigade of the Sixth Division to be followed by the remainder of that
division at a later date. In the telegrams which passed the Indian Government say :—
It is assumed you are satisfied the advanced brigade is sufficiently strong for the purpose required, but, as
we are unaware of its instructions and objective, we cannot judge of this.
Is it your opinion that the expedition should be managed direct by the Indians Office, or do you desire it
to be run by us ?
In reply to this request for information, the Secretary of State on October 5th, stated
that —
The intention is to occupy Abadan, with the Force under orders, protect the oil-tanks and pipe-line,
cover the landing of reinforcements, in the event of such being necessary, and show Arabs that our intention
is to support them against the Turks. With a warship at Muhammereh the troops detailed are considered
ample for the purposes mentioned. In the event of Turkey becoming a belligerent the management of the ex
pedition will devolve on you, but I will, of course, communicate with you regarding the scope of the operations.
In the meanwhile you should make preparations for the despatch of the remainder of the Division.
5 . But the Imperial Government, in initiating this expedition apparently did not fully
realise that such an expedition, if once started, might require reinforcement and enlarge
ment beyond the one division suggested, and was sure to provoke violent opposition
from the Turks who, under German supervision and control, would make strenuous efforts
to drive the British forces out of Mesopotamia.
6 . The expedition, which started from Bombay under General Delamain, received
sealed orders, and arrived at Bahrein on October 23rd. Every effort was made to quiet the
Arabs’ apprehensions, and our political officers were successful in securing that object.
On the 5 th November war with Turkey was declared. Two fresh brigades were
sent out under Sir A. Barrett which arrived on November 14th, and on November 22 nd
Basra was occupied without much difficulty after a number of skirmishes. So far the
expedition had been a complete success, and in less than three weeks Basra—the key to
Mesopotamia—had been taken and occupied. The suddenness and secrecy of the move
had not only ensured success, but it had done so at very small cost to the expedition.