'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎422r] (854/1386)

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“,0) Frprn paint of view of Empire, France and Flanders are.the main theatre
of war. ^ . '' r “'
(-) Every effort must, be made to concentrate maximum strength there for
correlated operations of all Allies at proper time.
“ (3) An adequate force must be maintained in Egypt for its defence.
“ (4) The mission of the force now employed in Mesopotamia to be of a defensive
nature.
M (5) For the present rely on the existing garrison of India, reinforced by 12 more
garrison battalions for its defence.”
I am sending separate telegram in the Army Department giving Committee’s
instructions to Nixon. Impossibility of sending further/Divisions make me concur
in Committees conclusions, but you will of course comflirahicate your views freelv
if 3 'our knowledge of local circumstances causes you dissent.
No. 31.
Tclvyram from l i.eeroy to Secretary of Statp for India,
dated 3rd January 191G.
IT. 24. Owing to increase in telegraphic traffic between Force “ D ” and Karachi,
<md the fact that the-. Central Persian lines cannot now be used, General Nixon has
represented immediate necessity of a second-cable being laid from Fao to Bushire.
W e concur in the necessity for this additional cable, and if you approve, we request
Jbat . rou "’iF cause instructions to be issued to the Director in Chief, Indo-European
Telegraph Department, to obtain the cable, if this can be done, and carry out the
work with as little delay as possible as an urgent war measure. We have no cable
available for the purpose here. The expenditure will be debited to the Imperial
Government.
No. 32.
Telegram from Sir John Nixon to Chief of General Staff, India,
dated Dili January 191 (i.
129/121 I. Tigris Hue. 4th January. General Townshend reports 3 rd January
that enemy force estimated at two Divisions moved in north-east direction from main
camp up river down left bank. No guns fired by enemy throughout 3rd January.
Weather stormy, prohibiting air reconnaissance on 3rd. Later report from
Townshend, 4th January, states that night of 3rd-4th passed quietly. He is of
opinion that movement of two Divisions above mentioned may have been night march
to Kssinn. At 10 a.np, 4th January, enemy force estimated at 2-1- battalions seen
digging trenches four miles cast of Kut, on right bank astride direct road from
Sheikh Saad. 7th Division under General Younghusband and Cavalry Brigade left
Ali-al-Gharbi morning of 4th January and reached pgipt nine miles up-stream of that
place moving along left bank.
No. 33.
Telegram from General, Force “ T)," tp Chief of General Staff, India,
dated (jth January 1910.
129 293/1. Tigris line, 6 th January. General Aylmer, with remainder of force,
left Ali-al-gharbi 9.15 a.m. 0 th January, to join hands with Younghusband. No
further news received up to time of despatch of this telegram. Kut. Townshend
reports that, Oth January, enemy opened heavy fire on north-west front of position.
,and on village on right bank, night of 5th-0th January, but no attempt made to press
home attack. No move by enemy throughout Oth.
No. 34.
Telegram from Viceroy to Secretary of Stale for India,
dated Oth January 1916.
H. OS. With reference to our telegram of 24th ultimo, IT. 10053, the following
command and staff appointments have been made in connection with augmentatk n
of Force “ D ” ;—