HANDBOOK OF MESOPOTAMIA
NAVAL STAFF INTELLIGENCE
VOLUMES I - IV
(I.D. 1118, C.B. 294, C.B. 295, C.B. 296)
NAVAL STAFF INTELLIGENCE DIVISION, London, 1916-1917
Extremely rare complete 1st edition set of four volumes of the British Naval Staff Intelligence Division Handbook of Mesopotamia, published between 1916 and 1917.
Classified as secret (they were covered by the provisions of the Official Secrets Act), and with a very restricted circulation, these handbooks were produced during WW1 for official use only, and most were individually numbered. The volumes (apart from Vol. I) are individually numbered - the copy numbers are: Vol. II - 1134, Vol. III - 215, Vol. IV - 203. Running to a total of almost 2,000 pages, plus plates and maps, the handbooks are a very detailed and comprehensive survey of all that was known at the time about the topography, routes, communications, peoples, administration, customs, climate, religions, railways, transport, agriculture, natural resources, and industry of Mesopotamia in 1916-17. Based on knowledge gained from explorers, travellers and military expeditions, the coverage of the routes, on land, rivers, and waterways, is particularly detailed and extensive.
Volume I - General (1916) is a general survey of Mesopotamia, covering a wide range of subjects in great detail, including physical features, climate, history, inhabitants, religions, adminstration, agriculture, commerce and industry, communications and transport. There is also an extensive vocabulary section. At the rear there are three folding maps: 1: Administrative Divisions and Chief Towns, 2: Racial Divisions, 3: Area available for Irrigation. (360 pages, 3 coloured folding maps)
Volume II - Irak, The Lower Karun, and Luristan (1917) covers the land and river routes in this area, including the Shatt el-Arab, Karun, Luristan, and the Tigris and Euphrates as far as Baghdad and Fellujeh. This volume is illustrated with 8 photographic plates, a detailed folding map of Baghdad, and a large folding map in a pocket at the rear showing the routes described in the text. (512 pages, plus 2 folding maps and 8 plates)
Volume III - Central Mesopotamia, with Southern Kurdistan and the Syrian Desert (1917) covers the Tigris and Euphrates routes from Baghdad and Fellujeh to Mosul and Meskeneh, the Lesser Zab, the country East of the Tigris towards the Persian Frontier, and the routes running westward from the Euphrates valley across the Syrian Desert. The contents mentions a 'sketch map of routes', but this is not present. The introductory note at the start of the volume states that 'Maps to accompany these volumes will be issued separately', and it is possible this route map may not have been included when this volume was issued. (416 pages)
Volume IV - Northern Mesopotamia and Central Kurdistan (1917) covers the routes in the country north of the line joining Rowanduz, Mosul, Meskeneh, and Aleppo up to Van, Bitlis, Diarbekr, and Mar'ash. It also includes details of railways, a gazetteer of towns, bibliographical notes, and a list of maps. IIllustrated with 15 photographic plates and a sketch map of the routes in a pocket at the rear. (499 pages, 15 plates, 1 folding sketch map)
Handbook of Mesopotamia is a unique and invaluable reference work on the Middle East during the First World War, and the operations of British Naval Intelligence in the region.
Naval Staff Intelligence Department: The Naval Intelligence Division (NID) was created as part of the Admiralty War Staff in 1912, and was the intelligence arm of the British Admiralty before the establishment of a unified Defence Intelligence Staff in 1964. It dealt with matters concerning British naval plans, and with the collection of naval intelligence. It was also known as "Room 39", after its room number at the Admiralty. One of the most significant aspects of the department's work was the production of an extensive and highly detailed series of handbooks during WW1 to aid the allied war effort and provide intelligence for officers in all branches of the armed services. Running to almost 40 volumes, these handbooks covered countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Condition:
The four volumes are in very good condition, with general signs of wear and use, and some marks to the covers. Volume I has some minor wear to the front cover flap. Volume II has a gilt university library stamp to the front board, and some library ink stamps to the front endpapers and title page. Volume III has some wear to the edges of the front cover flap. Volume IV is missing the press-stud wrap-around section of the front cover flap. The binding and hinges are good and secure. The text, plates, and maps in all four volumes are in very good condition.
Published: 1916-17
Blue boards with gilt titling
Illustrated with plates and maps
Dimensions: 130mm x 185mm
Pages: Vol. I: 360, Vol. II: 512, Vol. III: 416, Vol. IV: 499
