'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎250r] (505/1386)

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brother of Bani Taruf, and 500 to 600 wounded, including 10 to 12 Sheikhs, and brother of
Sheikh Ghadban. The enemy has been quiescent since the action, and on 4th March our
Cavalry patrols were not molested. In the actions near Ghadir and Shaiba no Germans were
seen.”
On the 7th, in compliance with the orders in Secretary of State’s tele
gram 1669 above quoted, the Viceroy reported tliat they were sending the
33rd Brigade from India. By the 10th .March the War Office had made
arrangements for the despatch of an Indian Brigade from Egypt. This with
the 12th and 33rd Brigades practically constituted the Second Division
for which Lord Crewe had so repeatedly pressed. He at once sent the
following:—
“ Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, Army Department,
10th March 1915.
“ 1700. Reference my 1689 of 5th March. War Office have now agreed to despatch one
Brigade Indian troops direct from Egypt to Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and have selected 30th Infantry
Brigade for this duty. Transport is being arranged and Brigade will probably sail early next
week. The force will still be weak in Artillery, Pioneers, and Sappers. Please consider
whether you cannot complete sonm of these deficiencies. I have no desire to press you unduly
and vou are the best judge of what India can safely spare. It will also be for your considera
tion whether with this increased force it would not be advisable to detail a General Officer
and Staff to assist Barrett, who may find the executive command of the three Brigades
concentrated in or near Basra too heavy a charge in addition to his other responsibilities. I
think it would be quite unnecessary to constitute an Army Corps of two divisions under
present conditions of the Force’s distribution.”
On the 11 tlx Lord Kitchener expedited matters by telegraphing to
Lieutenant-General Sir J. Maxwell:—
“No. 3497. With reference to your No. E. 700 and our No. 3486. The departure of the
brigade for Basra should be hastened and need not wait for further instructions. Please let
me know definitely when they will start as soon as the arrangements have been made.”
There was now some prospect of our having sufficient forces to meet the
various dangers which loomed in front of us. Happily the Karim danger
had partially dissipated itself and more by good luck than good management
we escaped further serious trouble in that direction. Meantime the menace
from the Euphrates side was rapidly increasing and only the 12th Brigade
was near at band. The following telegrams illustrate the nature of that
menace :—
“ Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, Army Department, dated
10th March 1915.
“ 1701. Barrow met Soane Anglo-Persian Oil employe who has recently arrived from
Baghdad via Aleppo and was much impressed by what lie saw and heard en route. 'The
Anatolian troops he saw marching to Euphrates are well equipped and well trained with ri
formidable Artillery including 20 six-inch guns and many German Officers, 40 of whom were
said to be going to Afghanistan. Soane heard on all sides that they intended to attack Basra
in force and were arranging to do so via Shatt-el-ljiai and western flank. Barrow will see him
ll( rain to-morrow and try to sift his statements some of which seem scarcely credible.”
This was amplified by our telegram 1711 of the 13th March giving
further information regarding strength and composition of Turkish reinforce
ments, boats and shipping on rivers and other details furnished by Messrs.
Soane and Tod of Baghdad to the Military Secretary, 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. . The
telegram ended thus :—
“ Tod is positive Turks mean business and that attack will be formidable. This all points
to necessity of preparing strong defensive position for a Division both on Karun side and at
Shaiba.”
The correctness of this view was shortly confirmed, as on the 16th General
Barrett reported that oifr Cavalry outposts had been driven in to Shaiba.
The crisis was rapidly developing and the far-reaching nature of the German
plans to counteract our move in the middle East is summarised in the
telegram below :—
“ From Chief of General Staff, India, to Chief of Imperial General Staff,
dated 16th March 1915.
“ No. S. 5488. The following is a summary of recent telegrams from the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
with regard to German plans :—
“ Two Germans, one of whom is Wassmuss, formerly the German Consul at Baghdad and
Bushire, on 16th February reached Shustar from Baghdad. They were reported to be
endeavouring to stir up the people of Arabistan to join in an Holy War against the British
As they continued on their way towards Shiraz. vi<t Ramuz and Behan, they endeavoured to
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