'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎229v] (464/1386)

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. ^out tins time grave doubts were felt as to the fitness of the generals
m Mesopotamia to conduct such critical operations as those about to be
undertaken, and the following telegrams passed between the War Office and
tne Commander-in-Ckief:—
XTelegram from Chief of Imperial General Staff to Cpmmander-in-Chief India
dated 11th February 1916,
£ ‘ 13 dl2 cipher. For the information of the War Committee please report whether in
your opinion Lake is fitted m every respect for his present appointment. It appears to me
Mint he is rather old considering the arduous and anxious work to be done, and I o- a ther he
,K ol<1 f J or lns years and also rather tired. It is essential that we should have a strong- and
energetic commander whops not likely to break down. Our experience in France is that
only young men can cope with the strain of modern war. Although Lake has hist been
appointed am sure you will jigree that we must not allow that or anything else to interfere
with having a Commander on whom we can have thorough reliance, both as regards
professional qualifications and physical fitness. ®
1L Please also state your opinion with regard to Aylmer.’’
/'Telegram from Commander-in-Chief, India, to Chief of Imperial General Staff
dated 12th February 1916.
“ 68,.>9 k Y our 13,112. I am in full agreement that no personal or private consideration
le ^ rd ^ m thG Sel ^ 0^ tbe commanders of our forces in the field
admit that youth is prima fane an advantage with regard to the men you mention Gener? I
Lake ]S 60 years of age, but I do not consider that he is old for his age. He is a tall slight
Man, spare y built who is fond of games, and who always makes a point of keepinghwif
y good physical training. I ordered my doctor to over*J4 him, before 1 sent him to
Mesopotamia, and make a special report to me. Therefore, physically, I feel quite sure of
ium. With regard to education he is a man who has read’Li thouLb whoLnderstauds
o da nng Pom a professional point of view, and who is gif led with foresight. This is his
erst command in the field, and his strength of character and power of obtaining the best
icsults from the means at his disposal have yet to be proved. So far I have mft seen am
signs ot his failing m either ot these respects. On the contrary, he assumed command in
. esopotamia at a time when everything seemed to be going wrong, and when depression was
•bi'nkTlL ° L'' 1 freln, -\ >Sl 1 nce llis arrival there has been a distinct improvement and I
ilunk that we should await further experience before we consider any change in the command
As regards Aylmer, he is a man of brilliant personal courage, and ‘has aifinva ualde S of
being able to win the devotion of those who serve under him. He has surprised me bv his
\k ssimistic attitude since he has arrived m Mesopotamia. In part, however this was due to
r -e pressure placed on him by Nixon to strike before lie felt himself ready At present
1 should not advise any (word omitted), but I am watching the case very carefully P
opeaking generally as regards this matter of commanders and staff you must'remember
.a! at the beginning of the war I sent all the good men I could possIbH spa-e ^ 0 ^
toeatres of war. For the most part, those who have done host have been aeSed abroad
do not m any way complain of this, but obviously it limits my field of selectm?
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