§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for War what have been the total number of casualties, British and Indian Army respectively, in Mesopotamia since 1st August, 1920; whether the garrison of Mesopotamia has been increased since that date; what are the total number of officers and men at present in the new locally enlisted Arab levies, and how many of the officers are British; whether it has been found possible to use light armoured cars in the recent hostilities in. Mesopotamia; whether any despatch summarising the operations in Mesopotamia to date has been received from the Commander-in-Chief; and when such a despatch will be available for publication?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe information available at the War Office does not enable me to give the number of casualties during the exact period mentioned in the first part of the question, but between 1st June and 1st October the casualties were as follow:—
British Officers.—Killed, 22; died of wounds, 2; wounded, 36; missing, 5.
British Other Ranks.—Killed, 27; died of wounds, 4; wounded, 43; missing, 138; died while prisoner of war, 2.
Indian Troops.—Killed, 244; died of wounds, 100; wounded, 996; missing, 302.
Indian Followers.—Killed, 12; died of wounds, 3; wounded, 44; missing, 28.
1562WThe garrison has been temporarily increased since 1st August by—
3 British infantry battalions.
17 Indian infantry battalions.
1 battery, Royal Horse Artilllery.
1 brigade, Royal Field Artillery.
2 machine gun companies.
1 battalion Imperial Service troops, and auxiliary services in proportion.
Of these units several proceeded to Mesopotamia in the normal course of relief, but the relieved units have been retained in the country owing to the operations. The Arab levies form part of the civil administration of Mesopotamia, and the third part of my hon. Friend's question should therefore be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India. As regards the fourth part, armoured cars have been used, that is, Rolls-Royce and Austin ears, but there are no armoured cars of any lighter nature in Mesopotamia. The answer to the fifth part of the question is in the negative, and the last part, therefore, does not arise.