Mesoptamia - MosulPlan

MosulPlan
TimBarnes
2010/03/21 18:53

Table of Contents

Hawkwoods agenda - 27th August
Troop inspection : casualties, morale, sickness, troop effectiveness
Gorringe/Nixon : review success of the 30th adapting to conditions; readiness for big trek; suggestions for next steps; plans for taking Tikrit
Quartermaster : supplies and supplying attack on Mosul; Atta?
RFC : Tikrit demo; general patrol activity; bombing Nurradin’s infantry column; reconaissence of Mosul; seaplane for next stage
Baghdad arab magnates : help infiltrating Mosul; maintianing the peace
xxx in Logistics : discuss railway extensions, getting the Kut to Baghdad section operational; new route to Mosul (do we have the Ottoman plans for the route, what labour forces and equipment is required); a route from Basra to Kut; supplies to Baghdad; connecting with the river and camel transport.
xxxx Brigadier, Arab Cavalry Brigade : seek out the Brigadier of the Arab Brigade and determine whther he can be turned to fight with us and the feelings of the brigade.
Captain Nunn : preparation for expedition up the Euphrates; how to keep supplies flowing (including connecting with railway); protecting the river trade from brigands.
Camel owners in Baghdad : warn them against supplying camels to Nurridin (RFC demonstration to support warning); arrange camels to ferry troops and supplies to Mosul
Grain traders : negotiate grain supplies (and opportunity to meet dobas upriver)
a.reconaissence of route
Take the White Company and the Zulus and supporting forces to establish forward position at Al Gawir near Mosul.
Staff - engineers and supply officers to prepare base. 1000 mules carrying communications equipment, empty water containers sufficient for 350 tonnes water, storage for 70 tonnes rice, fuel for planes. Create landing strip. Artillery officers to range weapons and plan bombardments. 1000 rifles (Turkish) and ammunition.
Create staging post en route with food and water sufficient to feed/water 10,000 men for 2 nights (100 tons water and 20 tons food). Staging post = Tall ‘Ali (50 miles)
Water - reason for Al Gawir is potential source of pure water from Tigris tributary (not outflow from Mosul!!)
Food - arrange purchase in Baghdad of 70 tonnes of rice (2 doba) from Mosul and forage (oats or hay as appropriate). Collect 30 miles downstream of Mosul
b.attack on Samarrah/Tikrit
6th Division sent to attack Samarrah and Tikrit. Destroy garrison and remains of the 51st. Establsih railhead at Tikrit and start preparation for 85 mile trek to staging post.
c.organise rebellion in Mosul
Hawkforce includes 100 arab supporters (+ local assyrians) to ferment unrest and sabotage. Split into 10 cells with 2 liaison members of cell (1 in the cell and 1 with Hawkwood planning at all times).
Get detailed plans of the cities defences and prime targets - armoury, arsenal, barracks and pashas residence. Also concentration camps for Armenians and Assyrians.
d.camp at Al Gawir
Collect supplies to support the 12th Division.
workspace
Distence from Tikrit to Mosul = 110 miles
Al Gawair = 25 miles from Mosul, 85 miles from Tikrit
Load of a mule = 135 kg, donkey 100kg Travels 4-5mph, 10 hours, daily travel between 25 and 50 miles, force march 100 miles Camels 200kg Feed for mule = 5kg hay + 5 kg oats per week
Horse = 100lbs forage per month Man = 50lbs per month
Indian soldier’s daily ration 1914 is as follows 1/4lb Meat 1/8lb Potatoes 1/3oz Tea 1/2oz Salt 1and1/2lb Atta 4oz Dhall 2oz Ghee 1/6oz Chillies 1/6oz Tumeric 1/3oz Ginger 1/6oz Garlic 1oz Gur
Supplies needed = 10lbs/week = 5 kg/week A mule carries sufficient supplies for 20 men and 1 mule

Page  - last modified by TimBarnes on 2010/03/21 18:53