'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎636r] (1284/1386)

1
A 2
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Purther (OrresjjoiHlpflce iv^nrdinu' the !>(‘ticiencv of
f>ops in I ndia. tVe.
25—Telegram
Secretary of State to Viceroy, Anny^
dated 23rd February 1915.
th
mtlier
epartment,
10(34. You/ll. 3321. :it 1 am anxious regarding fjrce “ I) ” as die enemy * Vide 24.
will every (l^T get stronger and it seems very djesirable that we should
smash thei^idvanced forces as soon as possibhr^mherwise we may be con
fronted \dfh a serious attack on Basra itself, jrnave endeavoured to get the
War Ofjpice to send out further rein force menwto India, but it seems hopeless
and oj/course we must recognise the giWT issues that face us in Europe
whitjr they regard as vital to success anjjTof paramount importance. Under,
circumstances 1 should be gl^rif you could see your way to fprm
brigade for the Persian Grdfr without relief from home. You will
e getting three battalions from Qifina shortly and we might anticipate their
arrival by detailing three IndiaMroattalions from India for service^m Gulf or
yterhaps you could now sparo^ne battalion from Muscat. regards the
British battalion for this brigade could you not spare one of.*oe best of the
Territorial battalions. This would still leave forty-one Brfdsh battalions in
India and Nicholson Jnnnmittee estimated absolute Requirements at 39,
namely, nine battalions for frontier divisions and Sijffor internal defence.
I am of course awaue that we are very deficient in imlian infantry, but this
may not be alto,mother a disadvantage under inRsent circumstances. You
might also be a[ne to give a Territorial batteujrfor garrison duty at Basra
even if not fiJr for field operations. I wish ^du could spare another cavalry
regiment ayn understand the country aj/this season is well adapted to
that arm^/
No. 1672.
- 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. to Admiralty.
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. ,
26th February 1915.
As you are aware The Secretary of State for India has been desirous
for some time past of increasing the British force in Mesopotamia as in his
opinion the military situation there is one not altogether free from anxiety.
The Turkish forces in that region are constantly increasing, and everything
points to the advantage of striking an early blow at their advanced positions
before the menace becomes more serious.
India appears to be quite unable under present circumstances to
contribute more British troops and the War Office have repeatedly expressed
their inability to provide them. I am, therefore, to enquire, whether
considering the very important naval interests involved at Abadan and in
the Gulf generally, the Lords of the Admiralty are disposed to send one or
more battalions of Marines for incorporation in the Expeditionary Force
under Lieutenant-General Sir A. Barrett.
Lord Crewe is well aware that the demands of the Fleet are the first
consideration, but as the idea of sending 2,000 Marines to German East
Africa has now been abandoned, he thinks it is possible that the above force
might be spared for the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
I am, Ac.,
F. G. Barrow, General,
The Secretary, Admiralty. Military Secretary.