'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎390r] (789/1386)

19
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“ Sq far as I know no river steamers, cither for troops or
hospitals, had originally been provided at all for the force.
* * * *
It cannot be said then that the ‘hospital steamers’ were
adequate at this time nor were they during the time I served in
Mesopotamia. No special ‘ hospital steamers ’ existed.
* * * *
India C<y.r<: C hunenfx.
No ! Because it v. T ns never
intended to go ko far.
General Nixon never asked
for hospital ships.
" r I lie need for steameis was represented and reference to
records will show the dates on which representations were made,
the date India pressed the demand home.
The date referred to was
apparently 17 th July 10!.,.
Tlio ocean-going hospital ships, of which I saw three, were, so far as I know, adequate
and well found.
" The Deputy Director of Medical Stores was constantly
representing the shortage of personnel, I believe, and up-river
hospital steamers, without, during my period of command, obtain
ing the latter, whatever he may have done as regards the former,
iu regard to which however, my impression is that both the
medical officers and medical subordinates were below strength and
overworked the whole summer. I presume they were not avail
able and therefore could not be provided. I do not give any
opinion oh this point. The force to carry out its orders, had to
do the best it could with the materials given it.
India Ojflicn C'nr.wnntH.
It was the G.O.C.’sbusiness
to know, and if he knew, to
support demands nith all the
weight of his aathorirv.
/ii
enemy
('tut:id
• At the battle of Kut-el-Amarah the total en. ualties were about 1 , 500 , ami as the
was much the same, the country and their entrenchments much ihr same at
iphon, the anticipation was, so far as 1 can remember, that, as our force was stronger
than at Kut-el-Amarah, two steamers would be required for the wounded, and these I
' bydieve were placed at the disposal of the Deputy Director of Medical Stores at his request
wnd prepared as hospital ships. The result of the battle. imposed on him the necessity
f i mot mg a much Inigei number down stream at once, and the losses m intake il officers
nd equipment made it impossible for him to adequately provide all that was necessary.
“I do not consider the menial personnel is maintained at a suffieienfc sin myth for war in
Field Ambulances in India, however well it may work in peace, this point d< s not appear to
have been adequately foreseen in India, or, if foreseen, enquiry apparently was not given for
tne purpose. The same applies to the Army Bearer Corps, the numbers of which are not in
my opinion sufficient in peace, and when hastily and with difficulty recruited in war are not
of quality sufficiently high to do the best that the soldier has a right to expect.
* * * *
He explained to me that the Tip Id Ambulances of the Lahore and Meerut Divisions had
arrived in the river later than their troops, that the transport of troops had to be ouven
precedence in some cases in river shipping over services, and that he had arranged for the
supply to General Aylmer’s force of medical equipment and supplies at Amarah.
“ On assuming command, I found no information showing 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. Comments.
that this .matter of river transport had been provided for before .
the Expedition started in November 1914.” Certainly not! As the Force
was equipped only for .a re
stricted theatre of operations.
T lie folio tv in g summary of telegrams from the Secretary of State with
the replies thereto, shows that the subject of medical arrangements during
the first few months gave no cause to anticipate any extraordinary difficulties
or deficiencies :*—
“ Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, dated 11th October 1911.
“ Enquiring what hospital arrangements are being made for Force D,” and what hospital
ships will he available. , - . _ .
Reply from Viceroy,'dated' 17th October 1911.
r r.r i r r .
Enumerating arrangements made, viz., live field ambulances, clearing hospitals, stationary
hospital and general hospital, in all some 1,250 beds. Both “Loyalty” and “Madras”
h spited ships will be available. - Until-they are ready transports will* be used for the return
of sick and wounded.
“ Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, dated 29th October 1914.
“ Asking to be kept informed of all transport arrangements for casualties and destinations
and names of officers.
Reply from Viceroy, dated 5th December 1914.
“ States that General Officer Commanding, Force “ D ” has been instructed to comply with
above orders, adds :—Arrangements for their accommodation are complete. 1’revision, of a
suitable light draught vessel fitted up as a hospital ship for Force “D” is under con
sideration. •
F