Field Notes on Lower Mesopotamia - October 1914 (For Official Use Only - Catalogue No. M-2-F.O.U.O.)

General Staff, India

Editore: Printed at the Government Monotype Press, Simla, 1914

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Printed buff cloth with flap, a pocket inside the upper and band inside lower board. v + 85pp + unindexed folding map of Lower Mesopotamia in pocket (1914, heliozincographed at the Survey of India Offices, Dehra Dun, 50x50cm, 1 inch = 32 miles). Covers very good, lightly dusted. Interiors fine. The second part of the sentence "There are many creeks and some marshes, and Abbadan Island is not suitable for the movement of troops" (p6) has been redacted in blue pencil but is still legible (this appears to have been done by the General Staff, as the BL/QDL copy has the same redaction in red pencil). The map is neatly folded with a couple of closed tears. This copy belonged to W. Kenny, X-Rays Operator, RAMC, Military Hospital, Nasiryeh, Iraq, who is named to the ffep and map verso. This looks to be extremely rare, with Worldcat and Jisc recording only the 1915 and 1917 editions (titled "Field Notes Mesopotamia", generally referred to as the first and second editions). Qatar National Library has digitised a copy from British Library India Office Records, which appears to be without the map. This was printed on 6 Oct 1914, in the month before Britain declared war on Turkey and occupied Basra. It is one of the earliest major intelligence documents of the area, prepared to inform operations relating to the Ottomans, regional powers, and local tribes. It builds on findings from the expedition of 1856-7. Thus Chapter I outlines "how a British expedition was sent to Persia to force the Persians to desist from attacking Herat", resulting in "the enemy being worn out and half starved owing to their hasty retreat". Other chapters cover geography (Shatt al Arab, Bahanshir and Karun Rivers, north of Basra, Basra, Zubair, Muhammareh); population; resources (water, supplies, transport, trade); military (nominal and actual war strengths, efficiency, Turkish reinforcements, land defences at various locations, fighting qualities of Arabs, Kuwait forces, camping grounds); maritime (Turkish naval strength, landing facilities at various locations); administration (Basrah, Arabistan, Kuwait, foreign interests), and communications (lines of advance, routes, telegraphs, telephones). Appendices include Notes on Qatar and Doha; Important Personages (Persian royals, Arab Sheikhs, advisors, senior Ottoman personnel); and a glossary. The language is very much to the point, sometimes almost in note form, giving fascinating insights into character, ruling styles etc, and how these might be turned to advantage. Eg the Shaikh of Kuwait's rule "is despotic, personal and absolute. The heads of his departments are mostly slaves. There is no delegation of authority" (p63). Qatar has "a rich and powerful chief" and although he flies the Turkish flag "dislikes his rulers and would be glad to be rid of them" (p79). The Deputy for Basrah is "strong, wilful, utterly unscrupulous, usually in debt. Holds Basrah in the palm of his hand by means of a band of armed men. Has about a dozen murders to his credit". Exploitable divisions and weaknesses are highlighted based on fact, eg, the Chief of the Bani Lam is "lately (1914) engaged in hostilities with the Shaikh of Muhammareh", or on hearsay, eg, Brigadier Hissam ud-Din is "said not to be on good terms with the Vali" of Baghdad. There is also indication of people that might be worked with. Eg, the Vali of Baghdad is strong, energetic and intent on reforms. And there is of course great respect for Ibn Saud, who "stands head and shoulders above other Arab chiefs, and they have implicit faith in him", has approached British political officers on more than one occasion to seek alliance against the Turks, and could raise 5-7000 well armed fighting men (pp82-83).

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• Titolo: Field Notes on Lower Mesopotamia - October 1914 (For Official Use Only - Catalogue No. M-2-F.O.U.O.)
• Editore: Printed at the Government Monotype Press, Simla
• Data di pubblicazione: 1914
• Lingua: Inglese
• Rilegatura: Hardcover
• Condizione: Very Good