Papers of FM Sir William (Robert) Robertson,
1st Bt, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, DSO (1860-1933)
[ROBERTSON: 1/1]
1905
Bound volume entitled 'Records of a strategic war game', prepared by the Directorate of Military Operations, General Staff, War Office, describing the preliminary work and the course of operations, and providing a summary and conclusion, for an exercise by the Directorate, under the command of Maj Gen James Moncrieff Grierson, Director of Military Operations, exploring the military protection of Belgian neutrality by Great Britain during a Franco-German war. Robertson acted as Commander of the German Forces. 1 vol.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/1]
1898 Dec
Paper written by Robertson whilst a student at the Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, on the changes in the strategical relations between Russia and England produced by the advance and recent acquisitions of the former in the Far East. 13pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/2]
1901
Notes made [by Robertson] during a visit of the Committee on Garrisons to the defended ports of Great Britain, 13 Jul-11 Oct, including sketch maps and descriptions of defences. 32pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/3]
1901-1903
Printed memorandum written by Robertson in 1901, as Assistant Quartermaster General in the Intelligence Section of the War Office, entitled 'The military resources of France, and probable method of their employment in a war between France and England'. The original document has been corrected, and an additional memoranda by Robertson noting developments by 1903 is attached. 14pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/4]
1902 Nov
Paper by Robertson on a proposed alliance between Germany and Great Britain in order to forestall Russian expansion in the Middle East, giving reasons why such an alliance would not be practicable or worthwhile, and Germany should be regarded as a rival rather than an ally. With a covering letter from Lt Gen Sir William Gustavus Nicholson, Director General of Military Intelligence. 11pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/5]
1905 Oct 4
Notes written by Robertson following a visit to the United States, giving his opinions on the character of the American people, and a description of his travels by various methods in New York and Michigan. 10pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/6]
1906
Printed paper by Maj Gen James Montcrieff Grierson, Director of Military Operations, entitled 'Memorandum upon the military forces required for over-sea warfare', giving estimates as to the number of troops which should be dispatched during the first six months of theoretical conflicts with Boer South Africa, France, Germany, the US and Russia. 16pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/7]
1906 Dec 21
Notes written by Robertson following a visit to the Balkan Peninsula, giving his impressions of various military installations in Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Macedonia, and personal conclusions reached as to possible alliances between them. 10pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/8]
[1906]
Text of speech by Robertson on Russia's military position in central Asia at the conclusion of the Russo-Japanese War, providing an assessment of the threat posed to Great Britain in the event of war with Germany. 28pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/9]
[1906]
Anonymous Staff College paper entitled 'The true standard of our military needs', disputing the view that Russian aggression towards Afghanistan and the North-West Frontier of India is the greatest military threat faced by the British Army, and highlighting the need for a scheme for the creation of a National Army based upon European, not Asiatic, conditions. The paper is annotated by Robertson with comments upon the army reforms proposed by the Rt Hon Richard Burdon Haldane, Secretary of State for War. 12pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/10]
1912 Mar
Notes on Strategy compiled for the use of students at the Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, by Col George Francis Robert Henderson, Professor of Military History and Art. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/11]
1912
Notes written by Robertson for use in teaching, giving a description of the final battles of the Franco-Prussian War, Oct 1870-Jan 1871, following the creation of the French Third Republic in Sep 1870. 12pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/12]
1912
Notes by Robertson relating to a Staff College Senior Division visit to the battlefields of the Franco-Prussian War. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/2/13]
[1910-1913]
Handwritten copy of a memorandum by FM Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, on his career in the Peninsula, in answer to a question by the Rt Hon Philip Henry Stanhope, Viscount Mahon, Sep 1835. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/3/1]
[1908]
Text of lecture given by Robertson at Netheravon, Wiltshire, on the history, geography, governments and present political disputes of the countries of the Balkan Peninsular. 22pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/3/2]
[1908]
Text of lecture given by Robertson at Aldershot, Hampshire, on the military geography of Western Europe, notably Denmark, Holland and Belgium, with emphasis on the possibility of German invasion through Belgium in the event of a war with France. 27pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/3/3]
1912 Jan 25
Text of lecture given by Robertson at Chatham, Kent, on the topography, population and communications system of Persia and Mesopotamia, including a description of the Baghdad Railway and its possible use as a means of German and Turkish dominance in the area. 20pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/3/4]
1913 Feb
Text of a lecture given by Robertson at Glasgow, Strathclyde, on the military responsibilities of the British Empire, and methods of training officers and soldiers in preparation for war. 24pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/3/5-7]
1913-1914
Texts of lectures given by Robertson at Chatham, Kent, Aldershot, Hampshire, and York, Yorkshire, on the study and practice of war. 72pp.
[ROBERTSON: 1/3/8]
[1910-1913]
Notes taken by Robertson from On War by Karl Philipp Gottlieb von Clausewitz [possibly Robertson's own translation of the original].
[ROBERTSON: 1/3/9]
[1910-1913]
Notes taken by Robertson from The science of war: a collection of essays and lectures, 1892-1903 (Longmans and Co, London, 1905), by Col George Francis Robert Henderson, edited by Capt N Malcom. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/1-22] Correspondence with
Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop,
Master General of the Ordnance, 12 Nov 1914-23 Jan 1915
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/1]
1914 Nov 12
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, concerning the proportion of high explosive required, and the provision of light lyddite for the 6 inch howitzer. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/2]
1914 Nov 16
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, on the shortage of Mark 1 18 pounders, 4.5 inch howitzers and 9.2 inch howitzer ammunition. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/3]
1914 Nov 21
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, regarding lighting arrangements for various Headquarters on the Western Front, and the provision of portable shields and steel plates. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/4]
1914 Nov 21
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, detailing the amounts and types of ammunition sent to France during the last week, and giving forecasts as to future provision. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/5]
1914 Nov 24
Note to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, enclosing a letter from Gen Sir Robert Biddulph concerning the retrieval of rifles from the killed and wounded. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/6]
1914 Nov 24
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, concerning the output of ammunition, and reporting the stocks of each type held in France. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/7]
1914 Nov 28
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, expressing the General Staff preference for Vickers light machine guns and old pattern Maxims instead of the newer Lewis machine guns; the need for trench mortars on the Western Front, and the manufacture of grenades by the Indian Corps. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/8]
1914 Nov 30
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, concerning the number of damaged rifles sent to Britain for repair; the desperate need for grenades in order to hold trenches on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/9]
1914 Dec 1
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, on the provision of Vickers and Maxim machine guns to the BEF (British Expeditionary Force), and the use of the newer Lewis machine gun to provision the New Armies; the sending of trench mortars to the Western Front; the need to send home damaged rifles still held at the Base, and a comment by temporary Maj Gen Henry De Beauvoir De Lisle, General Officer Commanding 1 Cavalry Div, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), that he knew of no orders to collect rifles from casualties; the output of Marten Hale Rifle Grenades. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/10]
1914 Dec 3
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, notably concerning a statement by temporary Maj Gen Henry De Beauvoir De Lisle, General Officer Commanding 1 Cavalry Div, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), concerning the collection of rifles from casualties; required numbers of Marten Hale Rifle Grenades; requesting information concerning the provision of Mark 1 18 pounder ammunition in Jan 1915; the urgent need for spare parts to repair 60 pounder field guns. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/11]
1914 Dec 4
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, on arrangements for the collection of rifles and bayonets from casualties; the provision of Mark 1 18 pounder ammunition in Dec and Jan; the provision of spare parts and ammunition for 60 pounder field guns; attempts to send trench howitzers to France. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/12]
1914 Dec 5
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, notably on a statement by temporary Maj Gen Henry De Beauvoir De Lisle, General Officer Commanding 1 Cavalry Div, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), concerning the collection of rifles from casualties; agreeing that 750 rounds of 18 pounder ammunition per gun is required for future operations. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/13]
1914 Dec 9
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, on the reasons for the small number of rifles recovered from casualties, and the questioning of [temporary Maj Gen Henry De Beauvoir] De Lisle, [General Officer Commanding 1 Cavalry Div, BEF (British Expeditionary Force)], concerning his statement on the subject. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/14]
1914 Dec 11
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, concerning the provision of lyddite in Jan; giving a brief account of ammunition stocks. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/15]
1914 Dec 11
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, on the return of damaged rifles to Britain for repair; a request for a report on the suitability of periscopes sent to the Western Front. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/16]
1914 Dec 13
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, on the forthcoming proportion of lyddite and shrapnel for the 4.5 inch howitzer shell. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/17]
1914 Dec 16
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, notably concerning the tendency of the Rt Hon Winston (Leonard Spencer) Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, to send out guns to the Western Front without sufficient ammunition. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/18]
1914 Dec 24
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, on the desperate need for trench mortars and grenades. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/19]
1915 Jan 11
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, on the appointment of Brig Gen George (Henry) Fowke, as Chief Engineer of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force), and his position in relation to the General Staff. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/20]
1915 Jan 17
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, asking for an immediate reply to an official request that the 6 inch howitzer ammunition be composed of 50% heavy and 50% light lyddite. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/21]
1915 Jan 19
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, concerning the reasons for a request by Robertson for provision of the obsolete 120 pound lyddite shell. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/1/22]
1915 Jan 23
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop, Master General of the Ordnance, concerning the unsatisfactory position regarding the stock and supply of ammunition to the Western Front. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/1-111] Correspondence with
Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans,
Quartermaster General to the Forces, and correspondence
and papers relating to changes to the British Line of Communications
during the transfer of the bulk of the British Army to Flanders in Oct 1914;
1 Nov 1914 - 23 Jan 1915
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/1]
1914 Nov 1
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning caps for the troops. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/2]
1914 Nov 12
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably concerning fur-lined coats for the officers; suggesting a delay in the issue of warm clothing until the weather worsens; the replacement of artillery horses in divisional artillery columns with heavy draught horses; demands for Army Service Corps personnel; the future preparation of a weekly report on Mechanical Transport by Brig Gen Frederic Charles Almon Gilpin, Director of Transport, BEF (British Expeditionary Force); discussions with Maj Gen Ronald Charles Maxwell, Inspector General of Communication, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), regarding the sending to Britain of all damaged rifles, bayonets and guns for repair, the establishment of dry canteens at Bologne, France; the arrival of non-combatants at ports; arrangements made with the French concerning the repair and control of railways; the necessity of having an armament artificer for each battery. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/3]
1914 Nov 13
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the provision of warm clothing in preparation for winter; the authorisation of a horse rug for all horses; requesting information concerning the provision of sleighs. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/4]
1914 Nov 16
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, reporting that various Territorial Force divisions are arriving short of equipment, and that unfit horses have been issued to them in Britain. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/5]
1914 Nov 17
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on deficiencies in the equipment of the Territorial Force divisions, and the horses supplied to them. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/6]
1914 Nov 19
Copy of a telegram to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, giving the position regarding supplies of warm clothing. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/7]
1914 Nov 19
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, outlining measures being taken for the provision of warm clothing for the troops, and making enquiries concerning the need for mackintoshes and fur waistcoats. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/8]
1914 Nov 20
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning a letter by [temporary Brig Gen Sir John Edward] Capper relating to the working of supply columns on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/9]
1914 Nov 20
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, enclosing a list of articles required by Territorial Force units on arrival at General Headquarters from Britain. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/10]
1914 Nov 21
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, listing requirements for footwear for the troops during the cold weather, and emphasising the need for more supplies of clothing. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/11]
1914 Nov 23
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, regarding clothing for the Indian troops; the inadequacy of the cold-shoers sent out with the Territorial Force battalions; suggesting the possibility of leather clogs as footwear in the trenches. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/12]
1914 Nov 22
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably on the provision of warm clothing for the troops; a letter by [temporary Brig Gen Sir John Edward] Capper relating to the working of supply columns; the shortcomings in the equipment of the Territorial units being sent to the Western Front; the difficulties of finding suitable footwear for use in trench conditions; the provision of hose tops for the kilted regiments by Katherine Marjory Murray, Lady Tullibardine. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/13]
1914 Nov 24
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the request by Highland regiments to be supplied with boots and puttees. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/14]
1914 Nov 22
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on a proposal that officers be given web equipment instead of the Sam Browne belt, to make them less conspicuous to snipers. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/15]
1914 Nov 25
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the fate of stockpiled warm clothing once the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) begins to advance on the Western Front; the transport of presents from HM Queen Alexandra to the front lines. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/16]
1914 Nov 25
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, regarding the arrival of the Western Command Signal Company without adequate supplies. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/17]
1914 Nov 25
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the sending of caps with ear flaps and felt gaiters to the Western Front; a request for a letter of appreciation to be sent to HM Queen Alexandra for her present of belts for the troops. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/18]
1914 Nov 25
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning Robertson's request for information as to embarkation of units of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) from Britain, and the equipping of those units; consultation with the Sanitary Committee as to various items of footwear being sent to the Western Front; Robertson's request to replace Brig Gen Frederic Charles Almon Gilpin as Director of Transport to the BEF (British Expeditionary Force). 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/19]
1914 Nov 27
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the provision of trained smiths for Territorial Force battalions; attempts at the provision of adequate footwear for use in the trenches; requests for additional rifle oil to be supplied to each individual soldier; doubts as to the willingness to fight of the Essex Yeomanry, soon to be transferred to the Western Front. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/20]
1914 Nov 27
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably on the transport of Christmas presents to the troops; plans for the carriage of warm clothing in the event of an advance; requesting a copy of all telegrams sent to the Maj Gen Ronald Charles Maxwell, Inspector General of Communications, regarding the embarkation of units for France; the need for expert storemen to deal with spares for Mechanical Transport; the advantages of sending reinforcements straight to the base depots at Rouen, France, instead of disembarking at Havre, France. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/21]
1914 Nov 27
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, asking for a final decision regarding footwear for the troops. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/22]
1914 Nov 28
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, requesting an increase in pay for Capt Frank Purcell Barnes, Head of the Mechanical Transport Base Depot. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/23]
1914 Nov 28
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning requirements for Mechanical Transport, as shown in weekly reports to the War Office. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/24]
1914 Nov 28
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the relative positions of Sir (Edouard) Percy (Cranwill) Girouard and temporary Brig Gen John Henry Twiss, Director of Railway Transport, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), with regard to the control of railways in France and Belgium, and requesting that Lt Col William Danvers Waghorn be sent out to the Western Front to take charge of railway repair operations. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/25]
1914 Nov 28
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, giving the opinions of various units on the issuing of small tins of rifle oil and dubbin to individual men. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/26]
1914 Nov 29
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably on the passing on to Robertson of information concerning the embarkation of units of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force); the question of footwear for the troops, including the ordering of felt leggings; the division of mechanical repair work between the Army Service Corps and the Army Ordnance Department; the possibility of sending ships of reinforcements direct to Rouen, France; the supply of hospital ships; the interference of temporary Lt Gen Sir (Cecil Frederick) Nevil Macready, Adjutant General, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), in supply questions. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/27]
1914 Nov 30
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the reorganisation of the Staff in the Transport Directorate due to the replacement of Brig Gen Frederic Charles Almon Gilpin as Director of Transport, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), by temporary Brig Gen William George Bertram Boyce. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/28]
1914 Nov 30
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably on the interference of temporary Lt Gen Sir (Cecil Frederick) Nevil Macready, Adjutant General, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), in questions of supply, and enclosing copies of telegrams from Macready to Lt Gen Sir Henry Crichton Sclater, Adjutant General to the Forces, and an apology from Sclater to Cowans regarding Macready's actions. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/29]
1914 Dec 3
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the supply of Mechanical Transport. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/30]
1914 Dec 3
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on a discussion with temporary Lt Gen Sir (Cecil Frederick) Nevil Macready, Adjutant General, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), concerning hospital ships, the equipment of reinforcements, and the need for greater liaison with the Inspector General of Communications, Maj Gen Ronald Charles Maxwell. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/31]
1914 Dec 4
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, enclosing a copy of reports from various corps of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) (not included). 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/32]
1914 Dec 6
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the distribution of belts sent by HM Queen Alexandra. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/33]
1914 Dec 7
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning procedures for the supply of Mechanical Transport. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/34]
1914 Dec 9
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, agreeing with his suggestion concerning the procedures for supply of Mechanical Transport to the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/35]
1914 Dec 9
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning personnel required for adequate control of the railway system in Belgium and France. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/36]
1914 Dec 10
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, requesting the supply of 7,000 gum boots for the troops in France and Belgium. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/37]
1914 Dec 10
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably requesting a pass for Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby; requests by the Rt Hon Winston (Leonard Spencer) Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, that the Naval Transport Div be absorbed into the Army Service Corps. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/38]
1914 Dec 11
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, regarding a pass for Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby; comments upon the conditions for accepting the Naval Transport Div officers as part of the Army Service Corps. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/39]
1914 Dec 11
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably on the provision of gum boots for the Western Front troops; checks at Southampton, Hampshire, to ensure all embarking units are adequately equipped; the possibility of establishing a Remount Depot and a small Supply Depot at Dieppe, France; conditions for the absorption of the Naval Transport Div into the Army Service Corps; the insatiable demand for Mechanical Transport on the Western Front; the promotion of temporary Maj Frank Purcell Barnes, Head of the Mechanical Transport Base Depot. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/40]
1914 Dec 12
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, giving reasons for his request to establish a Remount Depot and small Supply Depot at Dieppe, France; the reasons for increased requests for Mechanical Transport. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/41]
1914 Dec 12
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the absorption of the Naval Transport Div into the Army Service Corps; conditions relating to the special delivery of Christmas parcels to the front. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/42]
1914 Dec 14
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably on the creation of Remount and Supply Depots at Dieppe, France; the increase of requests for Mechanical Transport occasioned by the reorganisation of formations of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force); dealings with the Rt Hon Winston (Leonard Spencer) Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, concerning the incorporation of the Naval Bus unit into the Army Service Corps and other military plans proposed by Churchill; plans for transporting supplies in the event of an advance on the Western Front. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/43]
1914 Dec 14
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the placing of control over Inland Water Transport under the jurisdiction of the Director of Transport as opposed to the Director of Railways; the issue of cans containing rifle oil to the troops; the need for a reduction in the number of hospitals in France; requesting his opinion on the merits of a Japanese hand warmer. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/44]
1914 Dec 16
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, explaining the reasons for the appointment of temporary Brig Gen John Henry Twiss, Director of Railway Transport, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), to oversee the control of Inland Water Transport. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/45]
1914 Dec 16
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably on the provision of lorries for new organisations on the Western Front. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/46]
1914 Dec 16
Incomplete letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on various requests by the troops for additions to, or changes in, the daily rations. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/47]
1914 Dec 17
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, regarding the usefulness of Japanese hand warmers. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/48]
1914 Dec 17
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the forming of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) Corps into two Armies. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/49]
1914 Dec 18
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, requesting a further supply of wire cutters, and warm service dress for the Indian troops. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/50]
1914 Dec 18
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the need for modification of the original system for the stocking of Reserve Parks. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/51]
1914 Dec 18
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Ronald Charles Maxwell, Inspector General of Communications, requesting a pass for Maj Harry Milner in order that he may deliver Christmas hampers from Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby. Includes covering letter by Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/52]
1914 Dec 20
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, agreeing that work relating to Inland Water Transport should be carried out by the Director of Railway Transport, temporary Brig Gen John Henry Twiss. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/53]
1914 Dec 23
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably on the formation of Army Staffs and the need for discussion concerning coordinating two Lines of Communication, following reorganisation of the Corps of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) into two Armies; the possibility of creating a "Q" Staff for the New Armies from the existing "Q" section of the General Headquarters of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force). 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/54]
1914 Dec 20
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the Reserve Parks in France and Belgium. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/55]
1914 Dec 23
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the question of the reduction in the number of Reserve Parks in France, and their reorganisation. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/56]
1914 Dec 24
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the prevention of congestion of hospitals in France by efficient evacuation by boat to Britain. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/57]
1914 Dec 23
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the supply of wirecutters and the despatch of warm service dress for the Indian troops, and enclosing a statement of requirements and provision of clothing to the troops. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/58]
1914 Dec 27
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, enclosing a statement by Col William George Bartram Boyce, Director of Transport, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), of vehicles which need replacing. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/59]
1914 Dec 26
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the reduction in the number of Reserve Parks; the transfer of Staff from the "Q" Branch of the General Staff to work with the New Armies training in Britain; agreement with Robertson's proposal that each new Line of Communication will require a separate Inspector General of Communications. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/60]
1914 Dec 27
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the reaction of temporary Lt Gen Sir (Cecil Frederick) Nevil Macready, Adjutant General, British Armies in France, to a letter by [Maj Gen] Sidney Seldon Long, Director of Supplies and Transport, War Office, concerning Army Service Corps personnel, and emphasising the need for communication between Directors by informal letter. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/61]
1914 Dec 27
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the creation of a Committee to discuss the questions of Army Staffs for the New Armies and principles to be applied to the future Lines of Communication; the dates of embarkation of the 28 and 29 Divs; enclosing a letter from Cowans to Maj Gen Ronald Charles Maxwell, Inspector General of Communications concerning the reduction of the number of hospitals in France. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/62]
1914 Dec 28
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the need for a definite policy in regard to future Line of Communication requirements, and a planned visit by Robertson to the War Office in London to discuss the matter. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/63]
1914 Dec 29
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the status of correspondence between various Directors. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/64]
1915 Jan 8
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably requesting information as to the date of arrival of further drafts of troops for the British Armies in France, in order to be able to calculate future Line of Communications arrangements; a request that Robertson and Maj Gen Ronald Charles Maxwell, Inspector General Of Communications, British Armies in France, should begin to implement changes to the existing Line of Communication in preparation for the creation of a second Line. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/65]
1915 Jan 10
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on a request by temporary Lt Gen Sir Henry Seymour Rawlinson, 2nd Bt, General Officer Commanding, 4 Corps, British Armies in France, that the Rt Hon Sir Philip Albert Gustave David Sassoon, 3rd Bt, be transferred to the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/66]
1915 Jan 9
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning payment of various officers of the "Q" Branch, General Headquarters, British Armies in France. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/67]
1915 Jan 11
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably on a meeting with various military and naval advisers concerning the projected dates of embarkation of 28 Div, the Canadian Div, 29 Div, an unnamed Territorial Force division, and the New Armies, ideas on possible methods of increasing the railway and shipping arrangements in order to deliver increased supplies to France and Belgium, the possible use of small paddle steamers to transport troops across the British Channel, and the possibility of enemy submarine action; the probable French reaction to the use of Dunkirk, France, as a Base by the British Army; Robertson's desire to begin implementing procedures in preparation for the creation of a second Line of Communication; the status of the Cavendish Club as providers of recreational activity in Bruyeres Camp, France; the status of the officers of RN units serving with the British Armies in France. 8pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/68]
1915 Jan 16
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on the desperate need to decentralise administrative powers to Armies and Cavalry Corps, and a request that [Lt Gen Sir Frederick Thomas] Clayton and [Maj Gen Sir Harold Daniel Edmund] Parsons be sanctioned as Director Generals of their various services in order that the planned decentralisation scheme may be carried out. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/69]
1915 Jan 16
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably concerning the possible use of Dunkirk, France, as a Base by the British Army, and the likely French reaction to such a request, given the British tendency to stockpile large amounts of supplies in the immediate vicinity of the ports; the reasons for the French withdrawal of the use of the sheds at Havre, France. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/70]
1915 Jan 16
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning postal services across the British Channel. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/71]
1915 Jan 18
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, explaining that the British Army does not require the use of Dunkirk, France, as a Base until the New Armies are ready for embarkation, and that his plan is to work out on paper the arrangements to be put into practice if and when the Home Authorities and the French agree to the proposal. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/72]
1915 Jan 18
Letter to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, notably concerning the possible use of Dunkirk, France, as a Base, and enclosing a forecast of requirements in shipping tonnage, ports of despatch, and labour, based on the despatch of four New Armies to France and Belgium. 7pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/73]
1915 Jan 21
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the possibility of using Dunkirk, France, as a Base; negotiations with the French authorities concerning conditions of British use of the ports of Havre and Rouen. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/74]
1915 Jan 21
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, requesting the services of various Royal Engineer officers for railway work, and permission to create an establishment of Railway Conducting Officers, all with the rank of Staff Capt. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/75]
1915 Jan 21
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, proposing to give the Army Service Corps full responsibility for mechanical repairs. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/76]
1915 Jan 21
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, requesting a further supply of gum boots for the Western Front troops. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/77]
1915 Jan 22
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the despatch of Princess Mary Gifts to England. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/78]
1915 Jan 23
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, on Robertson's involvement in the reorganisation of units; the need to reconnoitre the port at Dunkirk, France, as soon as possible. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/79]
1915 Jan 20
Letter from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Steven Cowans, Quartermaster General to the Forces, concerning the postal service between Britain and France. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 2/2/80-111]
1914 Sep 29-1914 Nov 3
Correspondence and papers relating to changes to the British Line of Communications during the transfer of the bulk of the British Army to Flanders in Oct 1914, notably comprising negotiations between the French and British Higher Commands concerning the appointment of new Bases in France, the eventual decision being to have Havre as a main sea-base, Bologne as a subsidiary base, and Rouen as a regulating station; correspondence between Maj Gen Ronald Charles Maxwell, Inspector General of Communications, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), and Robertson, mainly details of the evacuation of present bases at Nantes, St Nazaire, Le Mans and Ostend, and the build-up of the new sites, and the move of the General Headquarters to Abbeville, including collaboration with the French authorities concerning the use of railways; Robertson's comments on the military situation, the possibility of its affecting the progress of the move, and the danger to the new line of communication afforded by the German build-up in the North-West. 32 items, 73pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/1-15] Reports from General Headquarters,
British Armies in France, with an index, May-Jun 1915
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/1]
1915 May 17
Report by FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, for FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, emphasising the need for a constant supply of troops and ammunition on the Western Front, and requesting information concerning the dispatch of further divisions of the first New Army, in order to concert plans with the French. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/2]
1915 Jun 23
Report by FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, giving his views on the military situation in France and Belgium, including descriptions of combined operations by the British and the French, and the need for adequate reinforcements of troops and ammunition. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/3]
1915 Jun 22
Notes on a British Cabinet meeting for the attention of FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, requesting information concerning the lines of defence and retreat of the French, German, British and Belgian forces, and suggesting an Anglo-French strategy conference. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/4]
[1915 Jun]
Memorandum by the General Staff, British Armies in France, on defensive arrangements of the Allied and German armies on the Western Front. Includes a map of North-West Europe (scale 1:250,000) with manuscript additions illustrating possible German lines of defence in the event of retirement. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/5]
[1915 Jun]
Incomplete memorandum by the General Staff, British Armies in France, to FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, in response to a request for information by the British Cabinet about the lines of defence and retreat of the British Army, and future strategy on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/6]
1915 Jun 26
Notes [by Robertson] commenting on a memorandum written by the Rt Hon Winston (Leonard Spencer) Churchill, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, arguing against the concentration of resources on the Western Front. Robertson's reply connects the failure to break through the German lines in France and Belgium to the severe shortages of troops and ammunition, and disputes Churchill's theory that success is more likely on the Eastern Front. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/7]
[1915 Jun]
Return by the General Staff, British Armies in France, giving the distribution and strength of the British Armies in France on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/8]
1915 Jun
Report by the General Staff, British Armies in France, giving a comparison of British and German strengths on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/9]
1915 Jun 30
Report by the General Staff, British Armies in France, giving the total strength of the French Army on the Western Front, and its distribution at the time of the Arras offensive, May 1915. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/10]
1915 Jun 27
Report by the General Staff, British Armies in France, giving the total strength of the Allied armies on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/11]
[1915]
Report by the General Staff, British Armies in France, on the various strengths of the enemy forces, notably the number of German fighting troops, reserves, rifles and artillery guns on the Western and Eastern Fronts; the estimated strength of the German Army between Grenay [?Graine, Italy] and the sea, and between Grenay and the Swiss frontier; the transfer of German units from the Western to the Eastern Front in 1915; the estimated strength and firepower of the Italian, Serbian, Turkish, Austrian and Russian armies. 12pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/12]
1915 Jun 27
Report by Maj Gen Sir Ronald Charles Maxwell, Inspector General of Communications, British Armies in France, giving the average offensive and defensive expenditure of artillery ammunition per gun per day during the Battles of Neuve Chapelle, Festubert and Ypres on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/13]
1915 Jun 6
Unofficial notes by Maj George Sidney Clive, Head of British Missions, French Headquarters, on conversations held with officers on the French General Staff concerning proposed operations on the Western Front during Jun and Jul, namely an attack on the Vimy Plateau, an offensive in Alsace, and an attack in Champagne. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/14]
1915 Jun 24
Notes on a meeting held at Chantilly, France, between FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, and French Gen Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre, Commander in Chief, French Armies on the Western Front, concerning future operations on the Western Front; their opposition to a 'passive defence' as advocated by the British Cabinet; the situation of the Russian Army, notably the shortage of guns, rifles and ammunition; the need for British Army reinforcements to be sent to the Western Front. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/1/15]
[1915]
Report by the General Staff, British Armies in France, discussing the question of whether the Germans would attack the French or British Army should they succeed in driving the Russian Army back to the Galacian frontier. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/1]
1915 Jan 1
Printed memorandum for the Committee of Imperial Defence by the Rt Hon David Lloyd George, Chancellor of the Exchequer, entitled 'The war: suggestions as to the military position', describing the stalemate on the Western Front, and outlining ideas for attacks on Austria and Turkey. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/2]
1915 Feb 22
Printed memorandum for the Cabinet by the Rt Hon David Lloyd George, Chancellor of the Exchequer, entitled 'Some further considerations on the conduct of the war', giving ideas for methods of increasing the production of military equipment and the numbers of men enlisting in the Army, and emphasising the need for a military success in the Dardanelles. 8pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/3]
1915 May 2
Uncorrected proof of memorandum [by FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War], on the Dardanelles operations, giving the original reasons for the offensive, the course of events from Jan to May 1915, and outlining the political and military advantages and disadvantages of continuing operations. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/4]
1915 Jun 10
Memorandum from the General Headquarters of the British Armies in France on the supply of artillery and ammunition to the Western Front. 24pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/5]
1915 Oct 2
Printed General Staff memorandum by temporary Lt Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, Deputy Chief of the Imperial General Staff, entitled 'Appreciation...of the actual and prospective military situation in the various theatres of war', namely the Western Front, the Eastern Front, and the Balkans. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/6]
1915 Jun 30
Notes [by Robertson] on 'The machinery of the government for conducting the war', recommending a small inner Cabinet, or War Council, as a more efficient means of initiating and carrying out military policy. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/7]
1915 [Oct 3]
Printed copy of an extract from a private letter by Robertson, commenting on the value of the New Armies being raised and trained in Britain, and recommending that the new recruits be used to keep formations already in the field at full strength. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/8]
1915 Oct 9
Printed memorandum prepared by the Admiralty War Staff and the General Staff, War Office, giving an appreciation of the existing situation in the Balkans and Dardanelles, with remarks as to the relative importance of the situation in regard to the general conduct of the war. Annotated by Robertson. 12pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/9]
1915 [Oct]
Notes [by Robertson] on the situation in the Balkans, advocating a withdrawal of Allied troops from the Dardanelles, and an avoidance of any further offensives in that area until forces have had time to reorganise and train. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/10]
1915 [Oct]
Notes [by Robertson] commenting on a memorandum prepared by the Admiralty War Staff and the General Staff, War Office, on the existing situation in the Balkans and Dardanelles, giving an estimation on the amount of time it would take to move a force of 8 divisions from France to Gallipoli, and reasons for not doing so, namely his view of the Western Front as the most important theatre of military operations. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/11]
1915 Oct 20
Printed General Staff memorandum entitled 'The employment of an Allied force in Macedonia and Serbia', following a French proposal that assistance be sent to Serbia from a base at Salonika, Greece, giving the view that such an undertaking would be unlikely to succeed. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/12-13]
1915 Oct 19
Proof and final copy of a printed General Staff and Admiralty War Staff memorandum entitled 'The present and prospective situation in Syria and Macedonia', with regard to possible Turkish operations there. 22pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/14-15]
1915 Oct 25
Draft and final copy of a typescript private letter from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, answering his question as to the advisability of removing units from the Western Front to serve in Egypt or Gallipoli, by stressing the futility of continuing Allied operations in Gallipoli, advising withdrawal from the Peninsula, and expressing doubts that a Turkish force will invade Egypt. 16pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/16]
1915 Oct 12
Printed memorandum [for the Committee of Imperial Defence] by Reginald Baliol Brett, 2nd Viscount Esher, advocating a joint directing staff, made up of French, British and Russian naval, military and political personnel, in order to effect more coordinated control over the military decisions of the Allies. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/17]
1915 Oct
Printed memorandum for the British Cabinet by William Waldegrave Palmer, 2nd Earl of Selborne, President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, referring to a note by Reginald Baliol Brett, 2nd Viscount Esher, (see 3/3/16) advocating a joint directing staff for Allied military operations, and proposing an Anglo-French council of six, with one Cabinet minister, one naval officer and one military officer on each side. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/18]
1915 Oct 26
Memorandum by Robertson to the Commanders of Armies and the Cavalry Corps, giving the Commander in Chief's instructions with regard to actions during the forthcoming Winter of 1915, including minor harassing attacks on the enemy, and training. 7pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/19]
1915 Oct 27
Memorandum from French General Headquarters entitled 'The action of the Allies in the Near East', proposing the build up of two concentrations of troops, namely Russian units on the Romanian border and an Allied force in Salonika, Greece, in order to prevent the Austro-German conquest of Serbia. 7pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/20]
1915 Oct 28
Memorandum from French General Headquarters on the respective roles of British and French units in Salonika, Greece, and details of the supply of Allied troops whilst protecting the railway between Salonika, and Veliés, Greece. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/21]
1915 Oct 30
Copy memorandum by FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, agreeing to cooperate with the French in Salonika, Greece.1p.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/22]
1915 Oct 31
Notes by Robertson on the conduct of the war, mainly the lack of adequate planning and communication relating to the Salonika, Greece, operation, and the need for Great Britain to take a more active role in operational decisions and actively cooperate and liaise with the French in order to formulate a clear strategy for future military action. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/23]
1915 Nov 1
Printed General Staff and Admiralty War Staff memorandum entitled 'The question of coercive action against Greece', advising against such action unless the Greeks become openly hostile to the Allies. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/24]
1915 Nov 3
Private letter from Robertson to Lt Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, enclosing a memorandum by Brig Gen George Mark Watson Macdonogh, Head of Intelligence, British Armies in France, giving details of the movement of German troops from Russia to the Western Front and the Serbian Front, and concluding that the German Army intends to mount a Western Front offensive directed towards Arras-Amiens. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/25]
1915 Nov 8
Printed memorandum by Robertson for the Committee of Imperial Defence, on the conduct of the war, giving an overview of military events in the Dardanelles, the Balkans, Mesopotamia and the Western Front, and concluding that the latter is the most important theatre of operations, upon which the bulk of Allied resources should be concentrated. Includes an appendix on the military and economic position of Germany. 10pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/26]
1915 Nov 12
Printed General Staff memorandum, entitled 'Project for combined naval and military operations on the Belgian coast with a view to preventing the enemy using Ostend as a submarine base', with a covering letter advising that it be forwarded to FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/27]
1915 Nov 15
Memorandum by Robertson for the Committee of Imperial Defence, in preparation for a meeting of representatives of the Allied armies on 25 Nov, outlining the situation on the Western Front and other theatres of operation, giving proposals for the future conduct of the war, and suggesting the creation of a permanent organisation, composed of representatives of each of the Allied armies, to examine the possible future direction of the conflict. 7pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/28]
1915 Nov 19
Typed extract from a private letter from temporary Lt Gen Sir Henry Hughes Wilson to the Rt Hon Andrew Bonar Law, Secretary of State for the Colonies, strongly urging the creation of an Anglo-French Council of Six, composed of the two Foreign Secretaries, the two War Secretaries and the two Commanders in Chief in France, in order to prevent the deterioration of relations between the two countries, especially over military operations in Gallipoli and Salonika, Greece. 7pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/29]
1915 Nov 22
Printed General Staff memorandum recommending action to be taken in Gallipoli, including the views of Lt Gen Sir William Riddell Birdwood, Commander Dardanelles Army, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, and temporary Gen Sir Charles Carmichael Monro, Commander in Chief, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, and a summary of arguments for and against evacuation of the peninsula. 12pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/30]
1915 Nov 19
Printed Cabinet paper by the Rt Hon Arthur James Balfour, First Lord of the Admiralty, advocating that British forces remain on the Gallipoli peninsula. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/31]
1915 Nov 20
Printed Committee of Imperial Defence memorandum comprising a letter from H M Wallis to the Rt Hon Charles Frederick Gurney Masterman, Director of Wellington House (Propaganda Department), on winter weather conditions in the Balkans. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/32]
1915 Nov 20
Printed Committee of Imperial Defence memorandum prepared by Lt Col Maurice Pascal Alers Hankey, Secretary to the Committee, on draft arrangements for coordinating the action of the Allies with regard to the war, namely an outline of the composition and role of a joint standing committee. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/33]
1915 Nov 22
Memorandum from Robertson to Lt Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, requesting information as to the decisions of the War Committee relating to operations on the Western Front, Gallipoli and Egypt. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/34]
1915 Nov 22
Printed memorandum from Maj Gen Sir John Hanbury-Williams, Head of the British Military Mission to the Russian Army in the Field, outlining a recommendation by Russian Gen Mikhail Alexeev, Russian Army Chief of Staff, for a strong Allied offensive in the Balkans. A full note on the recommendations by the General Staff is at 3/3/53. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/35]
1915 Nov 23
Printed General Staff memorandum giving its views on the present situation at Salonika, Greece, and recommending that the port be evacuated as quickly as possible. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/36]
1915 Nov 23
Printed General Staff memorandum on preparations for the training of men in the use of machine guns provided by the Ministry of Munitions. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/37]
1915 Nov 24
Printed Committee of Imperial Defence memorandum by Gen Sir Edmund (George) Barrow, Military Secretary, India Office, on the military situation in India and the Middle East. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/38]
1915 Nov 30
General Staff note on the present situation, with predictions for further German action in the Balkans, emphasising the need to defeat the German armies on the Western Front, and recommending the creation of an Anglo-French strategic plan for that theatre. 14pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/39]
1915 Dec 2
General Staff note on the present situation, notably giving the reasons for German offensive action against Serbia and her probable future actions in the Balkans and Italy, emphasising the need to defeat the German armies on the Western Front, and recommending the creation of an Anglo-French strategic plan for that theatre. 13pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/40]
1915 Dec 5
Copy of private memorandum sent by Robertson to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, outlining his proposals on the status and duties of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, notably the abolition of the existing system of issuing operational orders through the Army Council and the placing of this power in the hands of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff. Includes handwritten notes by Robertson. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/41]
1915 Dec 10
Copy of private memorandum sent by Robertson to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, outlining his proposals on the status and duties of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, notably the abolition of the existing system of issuing operational orders through the Army Council and the placing of this power in the hands of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (see 3/3/42), amended following a personal discussion between Robertson and Kitchener as to the role of the Secretary of State for War, and with substantial alterations to the paragraphs dealing with that subject. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/42]
1915 Dec 1
French General Staff memorandum, in French, on the situation of the German Army, notably its manpower and equipment. 7pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/43]
1915 Dec 2
French General Staff memorandum, in French, outlining a plan of action by France and the Allies. 11pp. (See the Chantilly Conference papers at 3/4).
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/44]
1915 Dec 4
French General Staff memorandum, in French, on the economic war. 5pp. (See the Chantilly Conference papers at 3/4).
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/45]
1915 Dec 5
French General Staff memorandum, in French, comparing the strengths of the various warring nations in the line. 4pp. (See the Chantilly Conference papers at 3/4).
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/46]
1915 Dec 6
French General Staff memorandum, in French, on the reorganisation of the Serbian Army. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/47]
1915 Dec 6
French General Staff memorandum, in French, on the direction of the war. 4pp. (See the Chantilly Conference papers at 3/4).
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/48]
1915 Dec 6
French General Staff memorandum, in French, on the possibility and importance of a Turkish attack on the centre of Egypt. 9pp. (See the Chantilly Conference papers at 3/4).
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/49]
1915 Dec 6
French General Staff memorandum, in French, on the time necessary to transport large units of infantry from one front (Russian) to another (Western). 3pp. (See the Chantilly Conference papers at 3/4).
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/50]
1915 Dec 6
French General Staff memorandum, in French, on the reorganisation of the Russian Army. 3pp. (See the Chantilly Conference papers at 3/4).
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/51]
[1915 Dec]
French General Staff memorandum, in French, on the equipment situation and morale of the Serbian Army. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/52]
1915 Dec 14
French General Staff memorandum, in French, giving the conclusions of the Chantilly Conference. 3pp. (See the Chantilly Conference papers at 3/4).
[ROBERTSON: 3/2/53]
1915 Dec 10
General Staff note on a suggested plan of campaign in the Balkans by Gen Mikhail Alexeev, Russian Army Chief of Staff. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/1-13] Papers in
French concerning the Allied Conference at Chantilly,
including proceedings of the three sessions, and appendices prepared
by the French General Staff, Dec 1915. Papers already sent to the
representatives are in Robertson section 3/3, and are
marked as absent in the file
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/1]
1915 Dec
Distribution sheet showing, in French, the attendees of the Conference and the papers which have already been distributed. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/2]
1915 Dec 6
Proceedings, in French, of the First Session of the Allied Chantilly Conference on 6 Dec. 10pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/3]
1915 Dec 6
Memorandum, in French, by the Italian General Staff on the situation of the Italian Army, notably the general situation on the frontiers. 12pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/4]
1915 Dec 6
Memorandum, in French, by the Italian General Staff on the expeditionary force sent by King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy to Albania. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/5]
1915 Dec 6
Memorandum, in French, by the Serbian Military Attaché on the material situation and morale of the Serbian Army. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/6]
1915 Dec 7
Proceedings, in French, of the Second Session of the Allied Chantilly Conference on 7 Dec. 8pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/7]
1915 Dec 6
Memorandum, in French, by the Italian General Staff on the effective strength in the line of the Italian Army. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/8]
1915 Dec 6
Memorandum, in French, by the Belgian General Staff on the material situation of the Belgian Army. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/9]
1915 Dec 6
Memorandum, in French, by the Italian General Staff relating to a plan of action proposed by France to the Allies. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/10]
1915 Dec 7
Memorandum, in French, on the material situation of the Russian Army. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/11]
1915 Dec 8
Proceedings, in French, of the Third Session of the Allied Chantilly Conference on 8 Dec. 10pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/12]
1915 Dec 8
Memorandum, in French, outlining the conclusions of the Allied Chantilly Conference. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 3/3/13]
1915 Dec
Memorandum, in French, by the Italian General Staff on the railway transport of Austro-Hungarian troops from the Russian and Italian fronts. 3pp.