War Office,
4th July, 1916.
The Government of India has forwarded for publication the following
despatch from General Sir Beauchamp Duff, G.C.B., Commander- in-Chief,
India, on military operations in the Indian Empire since the outbreak
of war: —
Army Headquarters, India,
Delhi, 9th March, 1916.
From the Commander-in-Chief, India,
To the Secretary to the Government of India, Army Department.
Sir,—I have the honour to submit the following despatch,
which deals with the minor military operations, undertaken since
the outbreak of the present war, on the North-West Frontier and
elsewhere in the Indian Empire, including Aden.
They are described in the following order: —
Aden.
Gulf of Oman.
Sistan.
Baluchistan.
North-West Frontier—
(a) The Tochi Valley and Derajat,
(b) Mohmands, Swat and Buner,
(c) Black Mountain,
Burma.
Madras.
Preventive measures.
OPERATIONS IN THE VICINITY OF ADEN.
2. On the outbreak of war with Turkey, on 31st October, 1914,
reports indicated that the Turks were in some strength in the
Shaikh Sa'id peninsula, and that they were preparing to despatch
troops to act against the Aden Protectorate. Consequently on November
3rd orders were issued to Brigadier-General H. V. Cox,
C.B., C.S.I., Commanding 29th Indian Infantry Brigade, then on
the voyage to Suez, to capture Shaikh Sa'id and destroy the Turkish
works, armaments and wells at that place. Three battalions from
the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade and the 23rd Sikh Pioneers were
detailed for this operation, in which H.M.S. "Duke of Edinburgh"
cooperated.
On November 10th the transports conveying
the force arrived off the coast of the Shaikh Sa'id peninsula,
but adverse weather conditions prevented a landing at the point
first selected. While the transports were moving to an alternative
landing place, H.M.S. "Duke of Edinburgh" engaged the
Turkish defences with satisfactory results. Covered by the fire
of the naval guns, a landing was effected, all opposition encountered
was overcome and the enemy were driven inland, abandoning their
field guns. On November 11th Turbah Fort and other Turkish works
in the vicinity were destroyed by the troops and a naval demolition
party, and the force, having effected its object, re-embarked.
In forwarding his report on these operations, General Cox brings
to notice the valuable assistance received by him in the disembarkation
and re-embarkation of his force from Captain H. Blackett, R.N.,
H.M.S. "Duke of Edinburgh" and all under his command.
For some time after the operations described above the Turks did
not show signs of advancing with a view to attacking Aden; but
their presence on the northern boundary of the Protectorate rendered
it desirable to strengthen somewhat the garrison of Aden. Shaikh
Sa'id was again occupied by the enemy, and on the night of June
14th-15th, 1915, he endeavoured to effect a landing on
the north coast of the Island of Perim. This attack was successfully
driven off by the detachment, 23rd Sikh Pioneers, which formed
the garrison of the island, under the command of Captain A. G.
C. Hutchinson.
3. During May 1915 the enemy was reported to be becoming more
active, and during the latter half of June reports indicated a
possible Turkish advance on Lahai from Mawiyah. On definite information
being received that such an advance was about to be made, Major-
General D. G. L. Shaw, commanding Aden Brigade, ordered the Aden
Moveable Column, under Lieutenant-Colonel H. F. A. Pearson, 23rd
Sikh Pioneers, to move out to Shaikh 'Othman on the evening of
the 3rd July. Early the following
morning the advance was continued to Lahaj, to which place the
Aden Troop had previously been despatched. The intense heat, sand
and shortage of water rendered the march and the subsequent operations
most trying, but nevertheless the advanced guard reached their
objective, and engaged the Turks just beyond Lahaj on the evening
of the 4th July. But the desertion of the hired camels and the
severe climatic conditions so delayed and distressed the main
body as to necessitate a withdrawal from Lahaj to Khor Maksar
on July 5th. In recording this, Major-General Shaw pays a tribute
to the devotion to duty of the men of the Royal Artillery, who
effected the withdrawal of their guns under the most trying conditions.
4. On the withdrawal of the Aden Moveable Column to the Khor Maksar
line the Turks occupied Shaikh 'Othman, and it was decided to
increase temporarily the Aden garrison. On July
20th, the 28th (Frontier Force) Brigade, with a battery
Royal Horse Artillery and a detachment of Sappers and Miners,
afterwards reinforced by another battery and the Aden Troop, the
whole under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. S. Elsmie,
56th Punjabi Rifles (Frontier Force), moved out of Aden to attack
the enemy next morning. The Turks, completely surprised, were
expelled from Shaikh 'Othman. Their casualties were some 50-60,
in addition to several hundred prisoners, mostly Arabs. On August
24th a small column under the command oi Major W. J. Ottley, 23rd
Sikh Pioneers, engaged the garrison of the Turkish post of Fiyush
and forced the enemy to retire on Lahaj.
Again on August 28th a similar successful
reconnaissance was made towards Waht. In September reports indicated
that the Turks were preparing to retire from Lahaj; a column under
Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. S. Elsmie, 50th Punjabi Rifles (Frontier
Force), was therefore directed to ascertain the situation at Waht.
On September 25th this column surprised the enemy, estimated at
700 Turks with 8 guns and 1,000 Arabs, and seized and occupied
Waht.
Major-General Sir G. J. Younghusband, K.C.I.E., C.B., who was
commanding the Aden Brigade during a portion of the period when
these operations took place, brings to notice the great assistance
he received on all occasions both by sea and land from Captain
Hall Thompson, R.N., H.M.S. "Philomel."
5. In October, and again in December, our cavalry have had small
affairs with hostile reconnoitring parties, in which the latter
were driven off with loss, and in December friendly Arabs, supported
by a small infantry detachment, drove off a hostile Turkish and
Arab force which was advancing on Imad. Owing to the Turks despatching
troops to coerce the tribes in the East of the Aden Protectorate,
a demonstration in support of these tribes was made by the Aden
Moveable Column on January 12th, 1916,
in the direction of Subar. The column located a Turkish force
near Subar and engaged it, inflicting considerable losses on it.
As a result of this action the Turkish pressure on the Arab tribes
is reported to have been relieved.
OPERATIONS IN THE GULF OF OMAN.
6. Arab unrest, which had been growing in Oman for some time past,
culminated on the night of 10th-11th January,
1915, in an attack by some 3,000 Arab rebels against our
outpost line covering Masqat and Matrah. In the early morning
of the 11th January the whole available British force, under the
command of Colonel S. M. Edwardes, D.S.O., 102nd King Edward's
Own Grenadiers, took the offensive
and defeated and drove back the rebels, who fled into the interior,
having suffered losses estimated at over 300 killed and wounded.
Colonel Edwardes brings to notice the very valuable assistance
rendered by Lieutenant-Colonel R. A. E. Benn, Political Agent,
Masqat.
7. On the night of 16th-17th April, 1915,
a raid against the British post at Jask by dis-affected tribesmen,
was successfully repulsed by the garrison under the command of
Major W. H. Lane, 95th Russell's Infantry.
8. On the night of 2nd-3rd May, 1915,
a body of tribesmen made a determined attack on the British post
at Chahbar, commanded by Lieutenant C. M. Maltby, 95th Russell's
Infantry. The attack was driven off with loss.
SISTAN.
9. Owing to the activities of certain Germans and other enemy
subjects in Persia during the latter half of 1915, it was found
necessary to
strengthen our outposts on the borders of Sistan. The troops under
the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Wikely, 28th Light Cavalry,
have successfully carried out their orders and co-operated effectively
with the Russian forces.
OPERATIONS IN BALUCHISTAN.
10. On May 28th, 1915, reports were
received that the Khan of Kalat's treasury at Khozdar, 110 miles
south of Kalat, had been looted. Owing to the insubordinate attitude
of Sardar Khan Muhammad, premier chief of Jhalawaii, who was responsible
for this outrage, it was thought that the trouble might spread.
Military assistance was asked for by the Agent to the Governor-General
and, with the approval of His Excellency the Viceroy, I accordingly
authorized the despatch of a small column consisting of the 106th
Hazara Pioneers and a section of Sappers and Miners, under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. LeG. Jacob, C.I.E., D.S.O., 106th
Hazara Pioneers to deal with the situation. The column reached
Kalat on June 4th and subsequently visited certain neighbouring
places. The presence of the troops rapidly restored order and
prevented any spread of the disturbance; the rebel chief was declared
outlaw by a jirgah of Kalat sirdars and fled. The column arrived
back at Quetta on July 19th.
In reporting these operations Lieutenant-General Sir M. H. S.
Grover, K.C.B., K.C.I.E., Commanding 4th Quetta Division, states
that the troops made some very good marches at a trying season
of the year.
NORTH-WEST- FRONTIER.
The Tochi Valley and Derajat.
11. During October and November, 1914, various reports were received
that attempts were being made to stir up fanaticism along the
frontier. At the end of November, 1914, certain influential mullahs
in independent territory led a Khostwal lashkar of some 2,000
men to the neighbourhood of Miranshah in the Tochi Valley. On
November 29th a portion of the North
Waziristan Militia, under Major G. B. Scott, attacked the enemy
and, in a skilfully fought action, inflicted a severe defeat on
the tribesmen, who fled in a demoralised condition. Meanwhile,
on the news of the gathering being received, I had arranged for
the despatch of suitable reinforcements to Bannu and Thai, and
had directed the General Officer Commanding, Derajat Brigade,
to reinforce Tank at his discretion. Major-General H. O'Donnell,
C.B., D.S.O., Commanding the Bannu Brigade, whose services I have
already brought to notice, had proceeded up the Tochi Valley with
the Moveable Column, and had reached Miranshah on December 3rd.
At the request of the Chief Commissioner, North-West Frontier
Province, the column did not proceed beyond Miranshah. The prompt
and vigorous action of the North Waziristan Militia checked what
might have been a serious rising. Further reports of hostile gatherings,
which threatened the Tochi posts, necessitated the
retention of additional troops on this border during December
and part of January, but a march carried out by the 4th Brigade
along the Bannu border, south-west of Bannu, at the end of December,
1914, had a quieting effect.
On January 7th, 1915, operations
were carried out by the Bannu Moveable Column and a portion of
the North Waziristan Militia with a view to defeating a large
Khostwal lashkar that had crossed into British territory and attacked
Spina Khaisora post. Of the British forces, only the North Waziristan
Militia were actually engaged with the enemy, but the operations
were successful, the enemy losing some 50—60 men killed
and being driven in confusion over the frontier. In his report
on the above action Major-General O'Donnell states that great
credit is due to the North Waziristan Militia for the dash and
spirit they displayed in the action against great odds and after
a long march. For his most conspicuous bravery in this action,
in attempting at the cost of his life to rescue one of his men,
Captain E. Jotham, 51st Sikhs (Frontier Force), was awarded the
Victoria Cross. Although some further gatherings were reported,
I was able, on January 11th, to order the withdrawal of most of
the extra troops that had been sent to this portion, of the frontier,
leaving sufficient to ensure its safeguarding.
Early in March, 1915, reports of hostile gatherings intended to
attack the Tochi posts, and the alleged presence of a Mahsud lashkar,
again compelled me to order troops to concentrate on the Derajat,
Bannu and Kohat borders. On March 26th,
1915, the Bannu Moveable
Column, together with a portion of the North Waziristan Militia,
the whole under the command of Brigadier-General V. B. Fane, C.B.,
whose services I have already brought to notice, moved out from
Miranshah and attacked a large Khostwal lashkar, estimated at
7,000 to 8,000 men, which was threatening that place. The attack
was entirely successful. The enemy's losses were estimated at
200 killed and 300 wounded, and they retreated rapidly across
the frontier. Our success was largely due to the skilful manner
in which a column under Major G. B. Scott, Commandant, North Waziristan
Militia, by means of a night march gained a position in rear of
the enemy in time to combine with the frontal attack. Brigadier-General
Fane brings to notice the name of Mr. J. A. O. Fitzpatrick, I.C.S.,
Political Agent, Tochi, who assisted him with sound advice and
good information.
12.. With the exception of raiding, this portion of the frontier
remained quiet until October 1915, when unrest among the Mahsuds
necessitated precautions being taken in the Derajat Brigade area.
A militia piquet was attacked on November
12th and on the 18th a detachment of the 45th Rattray's
Sikhs on piquetting duty near Khajuri Kach in the Gomal was fired
upon by some 80—100 Mahsuds. The enemy was driven off and
fled and the convoy proceeded to its destination in safety. Brigadier-General
F. J. Fowler, C.B., D.S.O., Commanding the Derajat Brigade, states
that the detachment behaved very well indeed and maintained the
high reputation of their regiment. The successful operations mentioned
above, combined with pressure brought to bear upon the Mahsuds
by the civil authorities, has prevented any tribal outbreaks on
a considerable scale, but raiding has been constant, which has
necessitated constant vigilance and action on the part of the
troops.
Mohmands, Swat and Buner.
13. Towards the end of 1914 information was received of anti-British
preaching by certain mullahs in the Mohmand country, but, with
the exception of a raid in the neighbourhood of Shabkadar in January,
1915, which was easily driven off, no serious acts of aggression
were committed. On April 13th, 1915,
however, reports were received that the Mohmands were collecting
with a view to raiding Shabkadar. The garrison of the Fort was
strengthened and the Khaibar Moveable Column, under the command
of Major-General C. F. G. Young, was
ordered to proceed there forthwith. At the same time I issued
orders for certain troops to be held in readiness to reinforce
the 1st Peshawar Division and took other measures necessary to
deal with the situation. Reconnaissances on April 16th and 17th
located no hostile gatherings, but on April 18th the tribesmen
attempted to advance, and were met by the troops under Major-General
Young near Hafiz Kor. In the action which ensued the hostile laahkar
rapidly increased to some 2,400 men, but its advance was repulsed
with loss and it was forced back into the hills. Darkness prevented
any pursuit. Major-General C. J. Blomfield, C.B., D.S.O., Commanding
1st Peshawar Division, was present throughout the action and comments
on the keenness and excellent spirit of the troops. In reporting
these operations Major-General Blomfield records his gratitude
for the benefit he received from the experience, knowledge and
helpfulness of the Honourable Sir George Roos-Keppel, K,C.S.L,
K.C.I.E., Chief Commissioner, North-West Frontier Province.
Quiet on the frontier then enabled the troops to be withdrawn
from the vicinity of the border, although the attitude of the
mullahs in Mohmand country, Buner and Bajaur necessitated constant
watchfulness.
14. During May the Swatis had been engaged in inter-tribal quarrels,
but on June 18th the situation in
Upper Swat, where the advance of a lashkar to the Adinzai tract
threatened the safety of the Chitral road and Chakdara post, necessitated
the concentration at Chakdara of the Malakand Moveable Column,
which was under the command of Brigadier-General W. G. L. Beynon,
C.B., D.S.O. The rapid concentration of the troops had an excellent
effect and prevented any outbreak. As quiet reigned in July, during
which month the Ramzan fast was observed, I arranged for the Chitral
reliefs to be carried out. These were successfully completed on
August 4th, but in view of a certain amount of unrest which was
reported from Buner, I ordered the returning column to remain
at Chakdara with the Malakand Moveable Column, where its presence
was of great value during subsequent operations.
15. Gatherings in Buner during July had been reported, but the
tribesmen remained quiet until August 15th,
when information was received that a certain mullah, known as
the Haji Sahib of Turangzai, was in the Ambela Pass with several
thousand men, preparing to invade British territory. His gathering
included a number of the Hindustani Fanatics, a sect inhabiting
the Buner border country. A small column from Mardan was at once
moved to Rustam on the Buner border. On August 17th a hostile
gathering of some three to four thousand tribesmen debouched from
the Ambela Pass and moved towards Rustam, while a further force
was reported to be in the neighbouring hills to the north-west.
Brigadier-General S. F. Crocker at once attacked the Ambela-Pass
gathering and routed it with loss. The 91st Battery, Royal Field
Artillery, which came up during the course of the action after
a forced march, did great execution. Major-General F. Campbell,
C.B., D.S.O., Commanding 1st Peshawar Division, now concentrated
a Brigade, under the command of Brigadier - General N. G. Woodyatt,
at Rustam. Between August 21st and 31st this brigade took the
offensive against the tribesmen whenever they appeared, and during
this period Brigadier-General Woodyatt was engaged with the enemy
on three occasions, on all of which he was successful in driving
them back into the hills with loss and destroying the villages
in which they had harboured.
16. While these operations were in progress, information was received
that on August 20th a tribal gathering
of some, fifteen to twenty thousand men under the Sandaki mullah
was advancing down the left bank of the Swat River to invade Lower
Swat. To meet this, Brigadier-General Beynon, Commanding the Malakand
Moveable Column at Chakdara, moved his column to the left bank
of the river and occupied the Landakai ridge, which was well situated
to arrest the hostile advance. Our outposts were heavily attacked
on the night of 28th-29th August, but the enemy were driven off
with loss. The next morning the column moved out and destroyed
a fort and shelled several villages, which were occupied by the
enemy. As a result of these operations the tribesmen dispersed,
and made no further attempts at offensive action for some time.
17. Meanwhile, during August, there had been, some talk of jihad
on the Mohmand border, where various religious leaders had been
active, and large tribal gatherings led by these fanatical mullahs
were reported to have collected on August
28th. Two brigades under Brigadier-General L. C. Dunsterville
and Brigadier-General C. Christian, with a mounted column under
Brigadier-General S. F. Crocker and Divisional Artillery, were
therefore ordered up to the neighbourhood of Shabkadar between
August 30th and September 2nd, while a Mobile Column under Lieutenant-Colonel
A. B. Longden, 38th Dogras, was formed at Mardan, and subsequently
moved to Abazai. At the same time I issued orders for reinforcements
to be ready for despatch to this border at short notice, if required.
On September 3rd large bodies of tribesmen were observed moving
in the foothills and preparing sanyars in the vicinity of Hafiz
Kor, but no steps were taken to prevent them collecting, as it
was desired to entice them out into the plain. By the evening
of September 4th it was calculated that the hostile force had
reached its maximum strength (it was then about ten thousand),
and Major-General F. Campbell, C.B., D.S.O., Commanding 1st Peshawar
Division, decided to attack. The action was fought on the following
day; the enemy resisted stoutly, and displayed great bravery,
tenaciously holding on to their sangars, but were defeated with
heavy loss and driven from their position. An opportunity occurred
for cavalry action, and a successful charge was made against the
tribesmen.
Between September 20th and 24th further hostile gatherings were
reported on this border, and the mullahs made great efforts to
stir up their followers to invade British territory. No lashkar,
however, crossed the border until early in October, when lashkars,
numbering some 9,000 men, again collected in the neighbourhood
of Hafiz Kor. Major-General Campbell, who had strengthened his
force by another brigade under Brigadier-General N. G. Woodyatt,
took the offensive against this gathering on October
8th from Shabkadar. The enemy offered strong opposition,
especially on our right flank, where the Mobile Column from Abazai
was co-operating, but were defeated and forced back into the hills.
A detachment of the Khaibar Rifles from Fort Michni took part
in the fight. In this operation armoured cars were used for the
first time in action in India and proved of great value. These
successful operations brought the unrest among the Mohmands to
an end.
18. Although further gatherings were reported in Swat, there was
no actual outbreak until October, when the tribesmen again became
active. Their lashkars rapidly increased, and on October
26th some 3,000 Bajauris advanced towards Chakdara, with
a view to arousing the tribes of Dir and Swat to attack the fort
at that place. Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. Luard, 1st Battalion,
Durham Light Infantry, temporarily commanding the Malakand Movable
Column, at once decided to attack; and moving out from Chakdara
Camp on October 27th, he engaged, routed, and pursued the enemy,
who were severely handled and lost a standard. As the result of
this action there has been no further gathering on this border.
19. In reporting these operations on the Swat, Buner, arid Mohmand
borders, Major-General Campbell states that he cannot speak too'
highly of the endurance and conduct of the troops, both British
and Indian. The temperature, which is always extremely trying
in the Peshawar Valley during the hot weather, was nearly ten
degrees above normal; but, in spite of these severe climatic conditions,
the troops showed a fine spirit and great cheerfulness and were
eager and ready at all times to march and fight. The working of
the administrative services was also entirely satisfactory, in
spite of the many difficulties that had to be contended with.
Mechanical transport was used for the first time on the Indian
frontier and proved to be invaluable; as, without it, the maintenance
of the forces in the field could not have been effectively accomplished.
Major-General Campbell cordially acknowledges the ready assistance
afforded to him by the Honourable Sir George Roos-Keppel, K.C.S.I.,
K.C.I.E., Chief Commissioner North-West Frontier Province, who
kept him informed, frequently by personal interview, of the changes
in the political situation and other matters, enabling him to
make the necessary dispositions in time to meet each situation
as it arose. Sir George Roos-Keppel was present throughout the
action at Hafiz Kor on September 5th. General Campbell also gratefully
acknowledges the valuable assistance given to military commanders
throughout the operations by the following Political Officers
in their respective areas:
H. N. Bolton, Esq., I.C.S., Deputy Commissioner, Peshawar.
Major W. J. Keen, I.A., Political Agent, Dir, Swat and Chitral.
Captain J. A. Brett, I.A., Assistant Commissioner, Mardan.
Captain R. E. H. Griffith, LA., Assistant Political Agent, Mohmand.
In conclusion, General Campbell records his thanks to R. C. Boyle,
Esq., Commandant, Frontier Constabulary, and E. C. Handyside,
Esq., District Officer, Frontier Constabulary, who, with their
officers and corps, at all times closely and usefully associated
themselves with the military throughout the operations. I wish
to bring Major-General Campbell's own services to notice.
Black Mountain.
20. In January, 1915, unrest among the Chagarzais on the British
border at the Black Mountain necessitated the temporary reinforcement
of Oghi post by regular troops. Quiet prevailed until August,
when emissaries from Buner endeavoured to stir up the Black Mountain
tribes in the cause of jihad. As a precautionary measure a small
column, consisting mainly of a detachment of the troops, wihose
services had been lent to the Government of India by the Nepal
Durbar, was ordered to Oghi, and the neighbouring posts, where
they remained throughout September. Conditions became normal again
in October.
BURMA.
Operations in the Kachin Hills, January and February,
1915.
21. Unrest, which had been brewing for some time among the Kachinsi,
came to a head in December, 1914, and January, 1915, when punitive
operations were undertaken. The columns originally consisted of
Burma Military Police, but as the disturbance appeared more general
and likely to spread, regular troops were ordered up to Myitkyina.
Lieutenant-Colonel C. T. .Swan, 64th Pioneers, was placed in command
of all operations north of Myilkyina, and Lieutenant-Colonel A.
W. H. Lee, Ist-7th Gurkha Rifles, Burma Military Police, was detailed
to command all troops and control all operations in the Kamaing
and Mogaung Jurisdictions. In February, Major-General H. A. Raitt,
C.B., Commanding Burma Division, proceeded to Myitkyina to direct
operations. In the Kamaing and Mogaung Jurisdictions, and the
adjoining unadministered territory, six columns operated during
January and February. The slight opposition encountered was in
all cases successfully overcome, the rebel stockades captured,
and the implicated villages destroyed. In the country north of
Myitkyina two
columns were employed during the latter end of January and throughout
February, and these were equally successful in punishing the recalcitrant
tribesmen. The country, in wthich these operations were carried
out is of a particularly dense and difficult nature. Major-General
Raitt especially commends a night march carried out by a detachment
of the 64th Pioneers over intricatecountry, followed by a successful
attack on a rebel village.
In reporting these operations, Major-General Raitt brings to notice
Mr. W. Scott, Assistant Superintendent, Kachin Hills, and Major
W. B. T. Abbey, I.A., whose local knowledge was of the greatest
value; and adds that his special thanks are due to Lieutenant-Colonel
S. L. Aplin, I.A., Commissioner, Mandalay Division, whose unfailing
tact secured the requisite co-operation between the civil and
military officers employed.
MADRAS.
22. The German- cruiser "Emden" appeared in the Bay
of Bengal in September, 1914, and on the night of 22nd-23rd September
this vessel opened fire on the port of Madras. The troops in garrison
promptly turned out and engaged the "Emden," the guns
causing her to cease fire at once and to sheer off. She made no
further attempts on the coasts of India. In reporting this incident
the Officer Commanding, Madras, states that he was afforded great
assistance by the Madras Artillery Volunteers, under the command
of Major H. H. G. Mitchell. There were also in Madras the Madras
Volunteer Guards, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel F. D. Bird,
I.S.O., V.D., the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Rifles,
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel P. G. Porteous, V.D.,
and "G" Troop, Southern Provinces Mounted Rifles, commanded
by Lieutenant W. J. U. Turnbull. These units, together with His
Excellency the Governor's Bodyguard, are reported to have been
most prompt in getting to their posts. He also comments on the
good work of Commander W. B. Huddlestone, R.I.M.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
23. In August 1915, owing to the activity of Germans in the Far
East, certain preventive measures were instituted to safeguard
the Indian coasts and to prevent the smuggling into the country
of arms and ammunition. These measures were arranged by the General
Officers Commanding, Karachi, Presidency and Rangoon Brigades;
His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, China Station, subsequently
taking over control of those in the Bay of Bengal.
24. I desire to take this opportunity of placing on record my
sense of obligation to His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir R. H. Peirse,
K.C.B., M.V.O., Naval Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station,
as also to His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir T. H. M. Jerram, K.C.B.,
and Vice-Admiral W. L. Grant, C.B., Naval Commanders-in-Chief,
China Station. To these officers and to all under their command
I am greatly indebted for the very cordial co-operation that I
have at all times received from them.
25. Throughout the period dealt with in this despatch all Local
Governments have met my requests promptly and in such a manner
as to facilitate greatly the maintenance of the forces in the
field. I have also received the greatest assistance from all departments
of the Government of India, and I am especially indebted to the
officers of the Foreign and Political, Financial and Home Departments,
who have spared no pains to give me all the help in their power.
In the many and varied situations with which I have been called
upon to deal the Marine, Railway, Police, Telegraph, Postal and
Port Trust authorities, also Shipping Companies and Chambers of
Commerce, have afforded me and those under my command their whole-hearted
assistance, and have greatly contributed to the bringing to a
successful conclusion the various operations. The Railway Board,
and under them the North-Western Railway, carried out the troop
movements necessary for the frontier operations efficiently and
quickly. To the Survey of India my thanks are especially due for
the never-failing supply of maps and topographical information.
26. The Volunteer forces in this country have cordially responded
to all calls upon them, and commercial firms have patriotically
assisted in releasing many of their men for employment in the
Indian Army Reserve of Officers. To all the above I desire to
express my grateful thanks for the assistance rendered.
27. In conclusion, I attach a list of officers and men, whose
names I desire to bring to notice for gallantry or good service
in connection with the operations dealt with above.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Sd.) BEAUCHAMP DUFF, General,
Commander-in-Chief, India.
[List follows]
