[ROBERTSON: 4 ] Papers and correspondence as
Chief of the Imperial General Staff, 1915-1918
[ROBERTSON: 4/1/1]
1915 Apr 14
Printed translation of a document written at German 3 Army Headquarters entitled 'Experiences gained in the winter battle in Champagne from the point of view of the organisation of the enemy's lines of defence and the means of combating an attempt to pierce our line'. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/1/2]
1915 Apr 14
Printed translation of a document written at German 3 Army Headquarters entitled 'Proposals for the technical methods to be adopted in an attempt to break through a strongly fortified position, based on the knowledge acquired from the errors which appear to have been committed by the French during the winter campaign in Champagne'. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/1/3]
1915 Dec 23
Printed note by Robertson for the War Committee setting out a statement of military policy for their approval, notably that the Western Front is to be the main theatre of operations, with commitment to other theatres reduced to a minimum. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/1/4-7]
1916 Jan 19
Letter in French to Robertson from [French] Capt R Doumayrou, enclosing transcripts of 2 telegrams concerning arrangements for a meeting with Robertson in France, the choice of a new liaison officer, and a request by the Rt Hon David Lloyd George, Minister of Munitions, Robertson and the Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister, for a conference in Paris to discuss the supply and production of munitions for the next offensive. Also attached is a typed and corrected copy of the 'Conclusions of the third conference of the Inter-Allied War Council' held in London on 19 Jan, notably on the possible dispatch of French and Italian divisions to Salonika, Greece, the insufficiency of coal supplies in Greece, and the formation of a new organisation, under British control, to undertake the direction of maritime transport for the Allies. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/1/8]
1916 Aug 31
Printed memorandum by Robertson on the formation of a British policy in preparation for possible peace talks following the war, especially in regard to the disposal of German colonial territories. 7pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/1/9]
1916 Nov 9
Handwritten report by Capt Alan Ian Percy, Earl Percy, Intelligence Department, General Staff, War Office, giving an account of action taken with regard to the proposed postponement of a conference in Chantilly, France, and the possibility of substitute conference taking place in Russia. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/1/10]
1916 Nov 24
Printed memorandum by Robertson responding to questions asked by the British Government concerning the likelihood of the Allies winning the war with a 'knock-out blow' on the Western Front, emphasising the need for firm commitment on the part of the government and the populace of Britain to the production of resources required to continue hostilities. Includes an appendix by Gen Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, reporting on conditions in the field, giving his opinion on the low morale of the German Army, and reiterating the need for an adequate supply of trained troops and munitions on the Western Front. 7pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/1/11]
1917 Apr 5
Text of speech by Robertson to the Trade Union Conference, on the problem of harmonising the manpower needs of the Army and industry in Great Britain. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/1/12]
[1917]
Handwritten note on the career of French Gen Ferdinand Foch from his removal as commander of the Group des Armées du Nord to his appointment as Chief of Staff to French Gen Henri-Philippe Benoni Omer Pétain, Commander in Chief, French Armies on the Western Front. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/1-17] Memoranda and
other documents relating to manpower
in Britain during World War One, 27 Dec 1915 - 9 Jan 1918
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/1]
1915 Dec 27
Printed memorandum by Robertson for FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, on future manpower requirements, notably outlining the manpower situation of the German, French, Belgian, Italian and Russian armies, the need for continuous reliefs of the troops on the Western Front and in the East, as well as men for Home Defence and Naval work; estimating that manpower requirements will be 130,000 men per month. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/2]
1916 Mar 21
Memorandum by Robertson regarding the supply of personnel for the war effort, notably outlining the scheme of the Cabinet Committee on the Coordination of Military and Financial Effort to place 62 divisions in the field by the end of Jun, with 3 months of reserves, and pointing out that the number of men actually raised by the Military Service Act has failed to reach that target, leaving the infantry abroad and the Territorial Divisions at home well below strength. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/3]
1916 Apr 6
'Proceedings of the Army Council', giving a review of the manpower situation, notably the shortages of infantry, the failure to extract the required number of men from trade and industry at home, and the need for changes in the legislation in order to combat the difficulties of maintaining the strengths of the Army. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/4]
1916 Apr 15
'Proceedings of the Army Council', commenting on the replies of the Cabinet Committee on the Coordination of Military and Financial Effort's to requests for increased legislation to facilitate the maintenance of manpower levels for the Army, and emphasising the need for greater numbers of men in order to achieve military success. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/5-6]
1916 Nov 28
Two copies of a memorandum by the Military Members of the Army Council to the Rt Hon David Lloyd George, Secretary of State for War, stating the failings of the present system of providing men for the armed forces, and the manpower requirements for 1917; recommending the raising of the military age to 55, and the introduction of National Service. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/7]
1917 Feb 2
Printed memorandum by the Army Council regarding the supply of men for the Army, reporting that, the strength of the Army in the field cannot be maintained at an adequate level in the event of heavy fighting in April [1917] due to the inadequacy of the numbers of men provided by the Military Service Acts; suggesting the introduction of National Service. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/8]
1917 Feb 10
Printed memorandum entitled 'Army Council replies to War Cabinet questions regarding the supply of men to the Army (War Cabinet 55)', arguing against the desirability of reducing the number of battalions per division from 12 to 9, and requesting the immediate attention of the War Cabinet to the question of the provision of adequate manpower to maintain the British Armies, especially regarding the planned offensive on the Western Front. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/9]
1917 Mar 6
Printed Army Council memorandum entitled 'Supply of men for the Army', notably outlining the comments of FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, on the effect of the prospective shortage of men on operations on the Western Front, and the suggestion that the number of battalions in a division should be reduced, and reiterating the Army Council's earlier request that the matter should receive urgent attention from the War Cabinet. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/10]
1917 Jun 7
Printed memorandum by the Rt Hon Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for War, for the War Cabinet, entitled 'The position and prospects of recruiting', emphasising the need to maintain military forces at an adequate strength, and enclosing a memorandum on the subject by Lt Gen Sir Cecil Frederick Nevil Macready, Adjutant General to the Forces. 8pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/11]
1917 Jul 17
Memorandum by the Rt Hon Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for War, for the War Cabinet, entitled 'Methods of recruiting', recommending the introduction of compulsory service in order to provide the Army with desperately needed manpower. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/12]
1917 Aug 18
Memorandum by the Rt Hon Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for War, for the War Cabinet, entitled 'Recruiting', and enclosing a note by Lt Gen Sir Cecil Frederick Nevil Macready, Adjutant General to the Forces, on the low intake of recruits in Jul, and the falling strength of the British Armies in France. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/13]
1917 Nov [28]
Memorandum by the Rt Hon Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for War, for the War Cabinet, entitled 'Recruiting for the Army', outlining the deficiency of men available for the armed forces, and demanding immediate action by the War Cabinet. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/14]
1917 Nov 28
Memorandum by the Army Council concerning a memorandum (G174) by the Rt Hon Sir Auckland Campbell Geddes, Minister of National Service, on the problem of the maintenance of the armed forces, notably commenting on a proposal for the lowering of the age for service overseas, the effect of the reduction of the numbers of B and C category (medically unfit or wounded) men in the Home Service upon training, the possible employment of Garrison battalions in the line in France, and the availability of skilled men for service. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/15]
1917 Nov 28
Memorandum by the Rt Hon Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for War, for the War Cabinet, entitled 'Recruiting for the Army', enclosing a letter on the subject from FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, concerning the effect of the reduction in strength of the British forces on the Western Front on their offensive and defensive powers, and commenting upon the proposed reduction of the number of battalions in a division. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/16]
1917 Dec 3
'Proceedings of the Army Council', notably including an appendix on manpower for the Army, consisting of a memorandum by the Army Council replying to a request by the Rt Hon David Lloyd George, Prime Minister, for proposals as to how to obtain more men, which comments upon the drain on manpower resources by government departments concerned with industry, and recommends the introduction of conscription to Ireland. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/2/17]
1918 Jan 9
Memorandum by the Military Members of the Army Council on the draft Report of the War Cabinet Committee on Manpower, commenting on the serious danger to the British Armies in France of the War Cabinet's inability to increase the flow of recruits to the Western Front. 7pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/1-36] Correspondence and
papers relating to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener,
1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War,
(probably given to Robertson as Chief of the Imperial General Staff
following the sudden death of Kitchener on 5 Jun 1916),
18 Dec 1914 - [1 May 1917]
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/1]
1914 Dec 18
Private letter to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, from the Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister, mainly on the desire of FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), to appoint Maj Gen Henry Hughes Wilson as his Chief of General Staff. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/2]
1916 Feb 8
Private letter to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, from the Rt Hon (Joseph) Austen Chamberlain, Secretary of State for India, enclosing a copy of a private letter from Charles Hardinge, 1st Baron Hardinge of Penshurst, Viceroy of India, in which Hardinge expresses concern about the health of Lt Gen Sir Percy Henry Noel Lake, recently appointed General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, and advises having a suitable replacement ready. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/3]
1915 Jan 21
Private letter to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, from the Rt Hon Winston (Leonard Spencer) Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, on the suggestion of the Rt Hon Sir Edward Grey, 3rd Bt, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that Cyprus be offered to Greece in return for a declaration of war by the latter against the Central Powers. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/4]
1915 Feb 18
Private letter to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, from the Rt Hon Winston (Leonard Spencer) Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, on the provision of armoured cars to the Western Front; the future of the RN Div, from which five battalions have been requested by FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France; a dispute concerning the provision of Maxim machine guns to the RN Div. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/5]
1914 Aug 15
Private letter to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, from FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), describing his movements following his arrival in France on 14 Aug, including details of the condition of 5 and 8 Infantry Bdes; the transport and train arrangements; a meeting with Maj Gen Sir Frederick Spencer Robb, Inspector General of Communications, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), and the Line of Communications Staff in Amiens; an inspection of the Royal Flying Corps; a meeting in Paris with Raymond Poincaré, French President, René Vivani, French Prime Minister, Théophile Delcassé, French Foreign Minister and Alexandre Millerand, French War Minister which supported the decision to concentrate the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) in the previously agreed upon area (Maubeuge); and arrangements to meet with French Gen Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre, Commander in Chief of the French Army. 8pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/6]
[1915] Jun 21
Private letter from FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, to FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), regarding an enclosed (not included) letter concerning honorary Lt Gen the Hon Sir Sam Hughes, Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/7]
1915 Feb 28
Private letter to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, from the Rt Hon Sir Edward Grey, 3rd Bt, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, concerning information passed by him to the French with regard to the despatch of troops to the Dardanelles. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/8]
[1916 Nov]
Draft of telegram from the Rt Hon Sir Edward Grey, 3rd Bt, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to the Rt Hon Francis Leveson Bertie, Baron Bertie of Thame, British Ambassador at Paris, concerning a possible attack on Salonika, Greece, by Greek forces in concert with the Central Powers, and advising French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient, to take the necessary military and naval measures. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/9]
[1915 Mar]
Note to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, from the Rt Hon Sir Edward Grey, Bt, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, considering Italian demands made during negotiations for Italian entry into the war on the Allied side. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/10]
[1915 Mar]
Brief penciled note from FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, concerning a telegram from Maj Gen Sir John Hanbury-Williams, Chief of British Military Mission to the Russian Army in the Field, concerning Alexandretta, Turkey. (Part of discussions with Russia and other Allies concerning the settlement of the Straits region and rest of Turkish Empire). 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/11]
1916 Jun 2
Text of address by FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, to the Members of the House of Commons, on Army administration explaining the strain put on the War Office by Britain's unreadiness for war, the accomplishments of Kitchener's administration, the munitions question and the reasons for delaying conscription (following a debate in the House of Commons on Kitchener's conduct of the war, with a proposal to lower his salary, 31 May 1916). 24pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/12]
[1916] Oct 7
Letter from Capt Sir George (Compton Archibald) Arthur 3rd Bt, Personal Private Secretary to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, to Maj Cecil Courtenay Lucas, Aide de Camp to Robertson, enclosing a list of private letters between Kitchener and Robertson, which he feels should be kept by the latter instead of forming part of Kitchener's estate. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/13]
[1916 1 Dec/1917 May 1]
Transcript of evidence given by Capt Sir George (Compton Archibald) Arthur, 3rd Bt, to the Dardanelles Commission, notably on the dealings of FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, with his subordinates, especially concerning planning for the Dardanelles operation in 1915. 28pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/14]
1915 Nov 6
Letter from Robertson to the Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister, acting as a covering letter for Robertson's paper on the conduct of the war (3/3/25?). 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/15]
1916 Jan 25
Letter from [Capt] the Rt Hon Josiah Clement Wedgwood, attached to the Staff of Lt Gen Jan Christian Smuts, General Officer Commanding, East Africa, to the Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister, giving news of the British Forces in East Africa, recommending the despatch of a Commander in Chief to replace Gen Sir Horace Lockwood Smith-Dorrien. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/16]
[1916] Apr 17
Note to Robertson requesting information regarding a paper on Mediterranean shipping. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/17]
1916 Jun 3
Note to Robertson from the Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister, agreeing to send a telegram to the French Government regarding Salonika, Greece, along lines proposed by Robertson. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/18]
1916 Jun 10
Note to Robertson from the Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister, asking him to incorporate the enclosed suggestions of by Sir Edward Grey, 3rd Bt, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, into a memorandum on the effectiveness of a limited offensive against Bulgaria. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/19]
1916 Aug 15
Note to Robertson from the Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister, on an unnamed subject. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/20]
[1916 Oct]
Note to Robertson from the Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister, asking for information on the progress made in the field to present at the forthcoming Vote of Credit in the House of Commons. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/21]
1916 Nov 13
Letter from Robertson to the Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister, outlining the reasons for his refusal to go to Russia as a member of an Inter-Allied Mission, namely his indispensability in Britain. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/22]
1915 Sep 24
Letter from Robertson to Lt Col Oswald Arthur Gerald Fitzgerald, Personal Military Secretary to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, on Robertson's proposal regarding the formation of a Machine Gun Corps, particularly the problem of personnel. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/23]
1915 Sep 30
Letter from Robertson to Lt Col Oswald Arthur Gerald Fitzgerald, Personal Military Secretary to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, notably on the setting up of a Machine Gun Corps; a description of the recent fighting during the Artios-Loos offensive on the Western Front, including the lack of experience of some of the troops and praise for the Territorial Force divisions; the progress of the French Autumn offensive in Champagne, and the need for a good supply of ammunition in order to break through the German lines. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/24-25]
1915 Oct 19
Two copies of a letter from Robertson to Lt Col Oswald Arthur Gerald Fitzgerald, Personal Military Secretary to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, notably describing a meeting between Robertson, 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 movement of troops on the Artois-Loos front; expressing unease that the War Office has asked for information regarding the British forces on the Western Front from temporary Lt Gen Sir Henry Hughes Wilson. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/26]
1915 Jul 4
Letter from Robertson to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, expressing his pleasure in the accord between himself and Kitchener during recent discussions on the conduct of the war; stressing the need for early instructions regarding the direction of retirement of the British Armies on the Western Front, should it become necessary, and expressing his opinion that the British should not extend their left flank by taking over line from the French until their right flank is more secure. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/27-28]
1915 Dec 5
Two copies of a private memorandum from 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. This is an amended version, following a personal discussion between Robertson and Kitchener as to the role of the Secretary of State for War (see also 3/3/40-41). 12pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/29]
1915 Dec 5
Letter from Robertson to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, on the resignation of FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, who has recommended Robertson to succeed him; the style of a memorandum sent by Robertson to Kitchener on the role of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (see 3/3/40). 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/30]
1915 Dec 7
Letter to Robertson from FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, following his receipt of Robertson's memorandum on the role of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (3/3/40), stating that though he had advised the Rt Hon Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister, to accept Robertson's terms, he would have to resign as Secretary of State owing to the proposed removal of his executive function regarding the war. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/31]
1915 Dec 12
Letter from Robertson to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, giving suggestions for the future employment of Lt Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, and recommending that FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French's successor be chosen as soon as possible. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/32]
1915 Dec 18
Letter from Robertson to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, on the appointments of Maj Gen Launcelot Edward Kiggell as Chief of General Staff to the British Armies in France, and temporary Maj Gen Robert Dundas Whigham as Deputy Chief of the Imperial General Staff at the War Office; Robertson's own pay as Chief of the Imperial General Staff. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/33]
1915 Dec 20
Letter from Robertson to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, on the wish of FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French to employ Lt Col (Henry) Cecil Lowther, previously Military Secretary to the Commander in Chief, as Chief General Staff Officer, Home Forces. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/34]
1915 Dec 20
Letter from Robertson to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, enclosing a draft of a paper he wishes to put before the War Council (not included) giving the points of General Staff policy on the future conduct of the war, upon which the War Council's approval is required. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/35]
1915 Dec 22
Copy of telegram to Robertson from FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, agreeing to circulate Robertson's memorandum on the future conduct of the war (see 4/3/33) to the War Council, and agreeing that the appointment of Lt Col (Henry) Cecil Lowther as Chief General Staff Officer, Home Forces should be carefully considered. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/3/36]
1916 Jan 19
Letter from Robertson to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, enclosing a copy of a telegram from French General Headquarters to Russian Gen Mikhail Vasilevich Alexeev, Russian Army Chief of Staff, on Salonika, Greece, prior to Kitchener's meeting with Aristide Briand, French Prime Minister, on the subject. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/1-112] Personal telegrams,
mainly comprising unofficial messages
to various army commanders and military attachés,
6 Mar 1916 - 8 Dec 1917
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/1]
1916 Mar 6
Telegram (PH1) to Robertson from Brig Gen Philip Howell, Chief Staff Officer to Lt Gen Sir Bryan Thomas Mahon, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, concerning internal troubles in France and the possible removal of French Gen Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre, Commander in Chief, French Armies on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/2]
1916 Mar 6
Telegram (R1) from Robertson to Brig Gen Philip Howell, Chief Staff Officer to Lt Gen Sir Bryan Thomas Mahon, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, concerning the possible removal of French Gen Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre as Commander in Chief, French Armies on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/3]
1916 Mar 7
Telegram (R2) from Robertson to Gen Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, concerning the transfer of temporary Brig Gen (Joseph) John Asser to Egypt. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/4]
1916 Mar 7
Telegram (R3) from Robertson to Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, concerning the possible appointment of temporary Lt Gen Sir Alexander John Godley as Commander of ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) bound for the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/5]
1916 Mar 9
Telegram (AM243) to Robertson from Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, giving his opinion as to the good record of service of temporary Lt Gen Sir Alexander John Godley. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/6]
1916 Mar 14
Telegram (R5) from Robertson to Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, giving his decision that Lt Gen Sir William Riddell Birdwood will accompany 1 ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) to France. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/7]
1916 Mar 15
Telegram (AM265) to Robertson from Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, concerning the appointment of Lt Gen Sir William Riddell Birdwood as the Commander of 1 ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) in France. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/8]
1916 Mar 30
Telegram to Robertson from FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, on the necessity of his returning to Britain to deal with military arrangements on the River Clyde, Strathclyde. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/9]
1916 Apr 3
Telegram (R6) from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir George Frederick Gorringe, General Officer Commanding, 3 Indian Army Corps, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, wishing him luck in the attempt to relieve Kut el Amara. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/10]
1916 Apr 30
Telegram (R8) from Robertson to Lt Gen Sir Bryan Thomas Mahon, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, concerning the extent of Mahon's input into the plans for offensive operations forwarded by French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/11]
1916 May 1
Telegram (GC123) to Robertson from Lt Gen Sir Bryan Thomas Mahon, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, concerning the extent of his input into the plans for offensive operations forwarded by French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/12]
1916 May 8
Telegram (R11) from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Hanbury-Williams, Chief of the British Military Mission with the Russian Army in the Field, concerning the Russian attitude towards Britain. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/13]
1916 May 10
Telegram (194) to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Hanbury-Williams, Chief of the British Military Mission with the Russian Army in the Field, concerning the postponement of the Allied offensive on the Eastern Front and the proper dissemination of information to the British Mission. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/14]
1916 May 8
Telegram (R12) from Robertson to Brig Gen Charles Delmé-Radcliffe, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Italian Army in the Field, requesting information concerning the reaction of Italian Gen Luigi Cadorna to a proposed Allied Balkan offensive. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/15]
1916 May 9
Telegram (306) to Robertson from Brig Gen Charles Delmé-Radcliffe, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Italian Army in the Field, regarding the possibility of Italian involvement in a proposed Allied Balkan offensive. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/16]
1916 May 8
Telegram (R13) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, requesting his opinion on a proposed combined Allied Balkan offensive from Salonika, Greece. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/17]
1916 May 12
Telegram (R15) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, requesting his views on the possible success of a combined Allied Balkan offensive from Salonika, Greece. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/18-22]
1916 May 12
Five copies of a telegram (GC30) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, outlining the plan of French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient, for a combined Allied offensive into the Balkans, and his opinion on the prospect of these operations succeeding. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/23]
1916 May [13-16]
Telegram (R19) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, on the tactical plan of French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient, for the proposed Allied Balkan offensive. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/24]
1916 May 16
Telegram (GC44) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, on lack of communication between himself and French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient, concerning the latter's plan of operation for a Balkan offensive; the lack of adequate training of the troops at Salonika, Greece; the extent of Sarrail's control over Allied troops. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/25]
1916 Jul 17
Draft telegram (R32) from Robertson to Lt Gen Sir Percy Henry Noel Lake, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, concerning the provision of river transport in Mesopotamia. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/26]
1916 Jul 19
Draft telegram (R33) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, asking his opinion of French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient, as a commander. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/27-28]
1916 Jul 20
Telegrams (M6 and 7) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, giving an unfavourable opinion of French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient. 2p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/29]
1916 Jul 21
Telegram (M8) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, elaborating on his previous assessment of French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient, as a commander (4/4/23). 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/30]
1916 Jul 29
Telegram (R36) from Robertson to South African Lt Gen Jan Christian Smuts, Commander in Chief, East Africa, concerning recruitment in East Africa. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/31]
1916 Jul 31
Telegram (R37) from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Hanbury-Williams, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Russian Army in the Field, on conditions for Romanian entry into the war. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/32]
1916 Aug 11
Telegram (OA808 H) to Robertson from South African Lt Gen Jan Christian Smuts, Commander in Chief, East Africa, on proposals for recruiting in East Africa. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/33]
1916 Aug 24
Telegram (R43) from Robertson to honorary Brig Gen Wallscourt Hely-Hutchinson Waters, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Imperial Russian General Headquarters, on a French proposal that a Russian force cooperate with Romanian soldiers defending the Dobrudja frontier against the Bulgarians. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/34]
1916 Aug 27
Telegram (284) to Robertson from honorary Brig Gen Wallscourt Hely-Hutchinson Waters, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Imperial Russian General Headquarters, concerning Russian reactions to the French proposal that more Russian troops be sent to the Dobrudja region of Romania. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/35]
1916 Sep 7
Telegram (316) to Robertson from Brig Gen Wallscourt Hely-Hutchinson, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Imperial Russian General Headquarters, on the possibility of Russian troops being sent to aid Romania on the Dobrudja frontier. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/36]
1916 Sep 8
Telegram (R49) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, requesting information on the state of British transport and mobility in comparison with the other Allied contingents at Salonika, Greece. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/37]
1916 Sep 10
Telegram (M14) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, outlining the mobility of the British force and comparing it to that of the French, Italians and Serbians. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/38]
1916 Sep 9
Telegram (R51) from Robertson to temporary Col Christopher Birdwood Thomson, British Military Attaché to Romania, commenting upon the weakness of Romanian Army dispositions and requesting information as to Romanian army plans. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/39]
1916 Sep 13
Telegram (CBT43) to Robertson from temporary Col Christopher Birdwood Thomson, British Military Attaché to Romania, outlining the Romanian plan of campaign. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/40]
1916 Sep 10
Telegram (R52) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, asking for his opinion on the views of the President of the Mesopotamia Enquiry Commission that a determined attack by the enemy there could result in a British military collapse due to sustained lack of supplies for the troops. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/41]
1916 Sep 11
Telegram (FSM20) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, outlining the position in Mesopotamia, namely that the supply shortages have been eased by increased river transport and the withdrawal of mounted troops and 13 Div to Amarah, and that the fighting efficiency of the troops is improving; the falling rate of sickness amongst the men; the gradual move of drafts to the front in order to replace depleted battalions. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/42]
1916 Sep 10
Telegram (R53) from Robertson to Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, on the removal of the Italian Signora Bacos from Egypt [possibly for spying]. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/43]
1916 Sep 16
Telegram (R55) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen Sir Lancelot Edward Kiggell, Chief of General Staff, British Armies in France, requesting details on the utility of tanks on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/44]
1916 Sep 17
Telegram (OA727) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen Sir Lancelot Edward Kiggell, Chief of General Staff, British Armies in France, informing him that the utility of the tanks has been proved in recent operations on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/45]
1916 Sep 29
Draft telegram (R57) from Robertson to honorary Brig Gen Wallscourt Hely-Hutchinson Waters, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Imperial Russian General Headquarters, requesting information on the Russian attitude to British assistance in finance and munitions matters. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/46]
1916 Sep 30
Telegram (405) to Robertson from honorary Brig Gen Wallscourt Hely-Hutchinson Waters, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Imperial Russian General Headquarters, reporting the attitude of the Russian government to British assistance with financial affairs and provision of munitions. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/47]
1916 Sep 28
Telegram (R58) from Robertson to honorary Brig Gen Wallscourt Hely-Hutchinson Waters, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Imperial Russian General Headquarters, on the possibility of the transfer of Russian troops to Romania in order to counter a probable German attack there in the Autumn. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/48]
1916 Oct 9
Telegram (R60) from Robertson to Lt Col (George) Sidney Clive, Liaison Officer between the War Office and French Gen Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre, Commander in Chief, French Armies on the Western Front, concerning Robertson's attitude towards the sending of further troops to Salonika, Greece. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/49]
1916 Oct 9
Official telegram (23684) from Robertson to Lt Col (George) Sidney Clive, Liaison Officer between the War Office and French Gen Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre, Commander in Chief, French Armies on the Western Front, asking for Joffre's opinion on the practicability of carrying out Allied operations on a large scale in Salonika, Greece. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/50]
1916 Oct 10
Telegram to Robertson from Lt Col (George) Sidney Clive, Liaison Officer between the War Office and French Gen Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre, Commander in Chief, French Armies on the Western Front, giving Joffre's opinion that four more Allied divisions should be sent to Salonika, Greece, to prevent the defeat of Romania. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/51]
1916 Oct 25
Telegram (R62) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, giving his opinion that, despite the transfer of a further British division to Salonika, Greece, due to French political pressure, the Balkans are of minor strategical importance compared with the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/52]
1916 Oct 27
Telegram (M113) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, concerning the impracticability of an offensive into the Balkans from Salonika, Greece, despite recent reinforcements of troops; intrigue between Aristide Briand, French Prime Minister, and French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/53]
1916 Oct 28
Telegram (R64) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, requesting his views upon the situation in Salonika, Greece, notably the future plans of French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient; measures necessary to make the Allied Force there more efficient and effective; the line to be occupied and the force needed to carry out the defence of Salonika, and the practicability of more ambitious operations. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/54]
1916 Nov 4
Telegram (R66) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, on the possibility that French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail may be replaced as Commander of the Allied Army of the Orient, and impressing the need for Milne to emphasise to French Gen Pierre Roques, French War Minister, the troops required for and the enormous preparations involved in attempting an advance towards Sofia and the defeat of Bulgaria. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/55-56]
1916 Nov 6
Two copies of a telegram (M115) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika, Greece Force, notably concerning a discussion with French Gen Pierre Roques, French War Minister, relating to planned operations from Salonika, Greece into Macedonia, namely an advance on Veles from Monastir, an attack up the Vardar Valley and a defensive flank on the Struma, and Milne's objections to this plan. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/57]
1916 Nov 20
Telegram (R70) from Robertson to Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, on discussions concerning the possibility of sending British troops to Rabegh (Rabigh) in the Hedjaz to aid the Arab Revolt and prevent the Turkish Army from reaching Mecca, and Robertson's desire to prevent the French from transferring troops to that area. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/58]
1916 Dec 8
Telegram (R81) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, informing him that the French Government is proposing sending reinforcements to Salonika, Greece, to counter the Greek menace, and requesting his opinion on the matter. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/59]
1916 Dec 9
Telegram (M119) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, giving recommendations as to the use of the proposed reinforcements to Salonika, Greece, notably information concerning main objectives and lines of advance in the event of operations against Greece. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/60]
1916 Dec 9
Telegram (M120) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, recommending that, in the event of proposed reinforcements being intended for use in Macedonia, the British forces should give up one of their fronts in order to undertake a strong offensive. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/61]
1916 Dec 10
Telegram (R83) from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir John Hanbury-Williams, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Russian Army in the Field, on the formation of the new British Government and War Cabinet; the despatch of delegates for the Rome Conference; measures against Greece. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/62]
1916 Dec 11
Telegram (594) to Robertson from Maj Gen Sir John Hanbury-Williams, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Russian Army in the Field, concerning planned measures against Greece. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/63]
1916 Dec 11
Telegram (R84) from Robertson to Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, on the likelihood of a British Force being sent to Rabegh, in the Hedjaz, to aid the Arab Revolt. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/64]
1916 Dec 12
Telegram (AM1391) to Robertson from Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, recommending that a British force not be sent to Rabegh (Rabigh), in the Hedjaz, and arguing that that the possibility of the failure of the Arab Revolt must be weighed against the undesirability of committing British troops to a campaign in Arabia. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/65]
1916 Dec 27
Telegram (R90) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, informing him of the request of the French Government to give French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient, a free hand to take action against Greek troops. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/66]
1916 Dec 29
Telegram (R95) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, concerning French attempts to provoke a rupture with Greece, due to the supposed failure of the latter to comply with Allied requests that Greek troops be removed from Thessaly. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/67]
1917 Feb 14
Telegram (R105) from Robertson to FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, recommending a conference between the latter and French Gen Robert Georges Nivelle, Commander in Chief, French Armies on the Western Front, concerning British takeover of French line on the Western Front, as opposed to a ministerial conference on the subject, as requested by Haig. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/68]
1917 Feb 28
Telegram (R108) from Robertson to Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, praising recent operations there (the Second Battle of Kut). 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/69]
1917 Mar 2
Telegram (FSM30) to Robertson from Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, thanking him for his congratulations, and praising the performance of the troops during recent operations (the Second Battle of Kut). 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/70]
1917 Mar 9
Telegram (R111) from Robertson to FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, relating the reply of the War Cabinet to a telegram from the French Government complaining about Haig's reluctance to adhere to agreements made at the Calais Conference; advising him to agree to the appointment of temporary Gen Sir Henry Hughes Wilson as Chief of the British Mission to the French Army. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/71]
1917 Mar 16
Telegram (R114) from Robertson to Brig Gen Charles Delmé-Radcliffe, Chief of British Military Mission to the Italian Army in the Field, answering the questions of Italian Gen Luigi Cadorna, Italian Army Chief of Staff, concerning arrangements for the transfer of Anglo-French troops to the Italian front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/72]
1917 Mar 18
Telegram (873) to Robertson from Brig Gen Charles Delmé-Radcliffe, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Italian Army in the Field, giving the opinion of Italian Gen Luigi Cadorna, Italian Army Chief of Staff, on the difficulties of coordinating an attack on the Italian front with the Nivelle offensive on the Western Front; reporting the build up of German and Austrian troops around Innsbruck and the Trentino, Austria-Hungary; requirements for the transfer of British and French troops to the Italian front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/73]
1917 Apr 2
Telegram (R119) from Robertson to Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, concerning his method of reporting the First Battle of Gaza, Palestine. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/74]
1917 Apr 9
Telegram (R121) from Robertson to Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, concerning possible replacements for Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, and requesting his opinion of temporary Lt Gen Alexander (Stanhope) Cobbe, General Officer Commanding, 1 Indian Army Corps, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, in case of Maude's transfer to the Egypt command. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/75]
1917 Apr 11
Telegram (FSM31) to Robertson from Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, giving his opinion on the relative merits of temporary Lt Gen Alexander (Stanhope) Cobbe, General Officer Commanding, 1 Indian Army Corps, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, and temporary Lt Gen Sir William Raine Marshall, General Officer Commanding, 3 Indian Army Corps, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/76]
1917 Apr 14
Telegram to Robertson from Gen Sir Charles Carmichael Monro, Commander in Chief in India, concerning the relative merits of temporary Lt Gen Alexander (Stanhope) Cobbe, General Officer Commanding, 1 Indian Army Corps, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, and temporary Lt Gen Sir William Raine Marshall, General Officer Commanding, 3 Indian Army Corps, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/77]
1917 Apr 13
Telegram [HW1] to Robertson from temporary Gen Sir Henry Hughes Wilson, Chief of the British Mission to the French Army, concerning the thoughts of French Gen Robert Georges Nivelle, Commander in Chief, French Armies on the Western Front, on the transfer of British and French divisions to Italy. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/78]
1917 Apr 13
Telegram (R134) from Robertson to FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, expressing concern about the attitude of the French Government towards French Gen Robert Georges Nivelle, Commander in Chief, French Armies on the Western Front, and the Nivelle offensive. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/79]
1917 Apr 19
Telegram (HW2) to Robertson from temporary Gen Sir Henry Hughes Wilson, Chief of the British Mission to the French Army, reporting the progress of the Nivelle offensive on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/80]
1917 Apr 26
Telegram (R131) from Robertson to FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, concerning the possibility of the French cessation of the Nivelle offensive on the Western Front, and the possible effect upon the British Army. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/81]
1917 Apr 30
Telegram (R133) from Robertson to FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, notably on the views of the War Cabinet to be aired at the Anglo-French Paris Conference, attended by the Rt Hon David Lloyd George, Prime Minister, and Robertson, that the French must continue with the planned operations in conjunction with the British Army, or be prepared to support them by taking over more British line. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/82]
1917 Apr 30
Telegram (OAD427) to Robertson from FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, giving Haig's opinion that it is useless to pursue the present Nivelle offensive on the Western Front vigorously unless the French continue to give their full support, and proposing a limited offensive for the next few weeks. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/83]
1917 May 18
Telegram (R136) from Robertson to Brig Gen Charles Delmé-Radcliffe, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Italian Army in the Field, requesting information as to the state of the road from Santa Quaranta to Monastir, Macedonia. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/84]
1917 May 19
Telegram (33) to Robertson from Brig Gen Charles Delmé-Radcliffe, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Italian Army in the Field, giving information concerning the state of the road between Santa Quaranta and Monastir, Macedonia. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/85]
1917 Jun 13
Telegram (R142) from Robertson to FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, concerning alterations to Haig's appreciation, for the War Cabinet, of the forthcoming Flanders offensive (Third Battle of Ypres), notably the deletion of an appendix containing assessments of the strength of the German Army. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/86]
1917 Jun 13
Telegram (OAD489) to Robertson from FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, agreeing to the deletion of an appendix concerning German Army strengths from his appreciation of the aims of the planned Flanders offensive (Third Battle of Ypres). 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/87]
1917 Sep 6
Telegram (R155) from Robertson to Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, asking for his opinion on the desire of the War Cabinet to establish a Mission to the Serbian Headquarters at Salonika, Greece, and a proposal by Nikola Pašic, Serbian Prime Minister, that a General Officer from each of the Allied Armies should be appointed to the Headquarters of French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient, to report to him on their contingents. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/88]
1917 Sep 7
Telegram (M134) to Robertson from Lt Gen George Francis Milne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Salonika Force, giving his views that the establishment of a Mission to the Serbian Headquarters would be extremely beneficial, but that the appointment of a General Officer from each Allied contingent to the Headquarters of French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient, would serve no useful purpose. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/89-90]
1917 Sep 6
Two copies of a telegram (R156) from Robertson to Maj Gen Sir Charles St Leger Barter, Head of the British Military Mission to the Russian Army in the Field, on the collapse of the Russian Army and renewed fighting on the Eastern Front; the need for the British Army to link up with Russian forces in Persia, under Russian Gen N N Baratoff. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/91]
1917 Sep 7
Telegram (R157) from Robertson to Gen Sir Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, concerning the supply of heavy artillery, 6 inch howitzers and troops to Palestine. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/92]
1917 Sep 16
Telegram (FSM61) to Robertson from Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, concerning cooperation with Russian [Gen] Kirsanof relating to possible combined Russian and British operations in Mesopotamia. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/93]
1917 Sep 24
Telegram (R162) from Robertson to Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, concerning Maude's recent demands for reinforcements, Russian Army inactivity, and the use of personal telegrams on official matters. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/94]
1917 Sep 12
Telegram (F369) to Robertson from Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, on the military implications of Russian inactivity for British troops in Mesopotamia; the need for reinforcements in case of a strong Turkish advance down the Euphrates river. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/95]
1917 Sep 29
Telegram (R164) from Robertson to Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, reporting the transfer of additional 6 inch howitzers, various artillery, and four Machine Gun Companies to the Mesopotamian Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/96]
1917 Sep 29
Telegram (FSM75) to Robertson from Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, outlining progress in training, mobility, and construction of defences. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/97]
1917 Sep 27
Telegram (R165) from Robertson to Gen Sir Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, relating to the transfer of 6 inch howitzer batteries from Italy to Palestine. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/98]
1917 Oct 3
Telegram (R167) from Robertson to Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, concerning the proposed visit of [Maj Gen Henry Francis Edward] Freeland to inspect communications in Mesopotamia. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/99]
1917 Oct 5
Telegram (R170) from Robertson to Gen Sir Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, on Allenby's planned reply to the War Cabinet's telegram concerning the extent of the proposed operations in Palestine. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/100]
1917 Oct 31
Telegram (R177) from Maj Gen Frederick (Barton) Maurice, Director of Military Operations, to Robertson, forwarded to Brig Gen Charles Delmé-Radcliffe, Chief of the British Military Mission to the Italian Army in the Field, and Brevet Col Charles Anthony Lamb, Military Attaché at Rome, informing Robertson of a proposal by the Rt Hon David Lloyd George, Prime Minister, for the creation of a Supreme War Council, with either Robertson or Lt Gen Sir Henry Hughes Wilson as Military Representative. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/101]
1917 Nov 2
Telegram (R178) from Maj Gen Frederick (Barton) Maurice, Director of Military Operations, to Robertson, forwarded to Brevet Col Charles Anthony Lamb, Military Attaché at Rome, concerning a French proposal for a redistribution of command on the Western Front, and future negotiations on the matter with the Italians. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/102]
1917 Nov 3
Telegram (R179) from Maj Gen Frederick (Barton) Maurice, Director of Military Operations, to Robertson, forwarded to Brevet Col Charles Anthony Lamb, Military Attaché at Rome, on a possible attempt by the Rt Hon David Lloyd George, Prime Minister, to persuade FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, to take supreme command in Italy at the Rapallo Conference. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/103]
1917 Nov 16
Telegram (R180) from Robertson to Gen Sir Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, congratulating him on the success of the Third Battle of Gaza, and subsequent operations in Palestine, and apologising if his previous telegrams seemed reluctant to advise a strong push forward. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/104]
1917 Nov 17
Telegram (AMS12) to Robertson from Gen Sir Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, stating that he is taking no risks with the advance towards Jerusalem, Palestine, but keeping up steady pressure on the Turks. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/105]
1917 Nov 21
Telegram (R181) from Robertson to FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, on the decision to send two divisions from the Western Front to the Italian Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/106]
1917 Nov 21
Telegram (R182) from Robertson to temporary Lt Gen Sir William Raine Marshall, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, congratulating him on his appointment following the death of Lt Gen Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, recommending the appointment of an experienced Chief of General Staff, and a replacement for Marshall as Corps Commander. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/107]
1917 Nov 23
Telegram (M1) to Robertson from temporary Lt Gen Sir William Raine Marshall, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, recommending the retention of temporary Maj Gen Herbert Reginald Hopwood as Chief of General Staff to the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, and the employment of Lt Gen Sir Raleigh Gilbert Egerton as General Officer Commanding, 3 Indian Army Corps. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/108]
1917 Dec 7
Telegram (A14) to Robertson from Gen Sir Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, explaining the reasons why he feels it is imperative for the safety of Egypt to advance to the Jerusalem-Jaffa Line in Palestine, despite Robertson's doubts as to the validity of such a move. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/109]
1917 Dec 5
Telegram (R185) from Robertson to FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, requesting a promised memorandum on the central control of transportation matters on the Western Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/110]
1917 Dec 7
Telegram (R186) from Robertson to Gen Sir Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, concerning reports that Allenby was dissatisfied with naval cooperation in recent operations in Palestine. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/111]
1917 Dec 8
Telegram (MSA15) to Robertson from Gen Sir Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, denying a report that he found naval support in recent operations unsatisfactory. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/4/112]
1917 Dec 8
Telegram (R187) from Robertson to Gen Sir Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, responding to Allenby's fear that his force in Palestine may not be large enough to capture Jerusalem. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/5/1-10] Memoranda and
papers on the Middle East prepared
by Robertson for the Cabinet, 30 Dec 1915 - 26 Dec 1917
[ROBERTSON: 4/5/1]
1915 Dec 30
Handwritten note from Robertson to FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War, concerning Kitchener's plan to have two commanders in Egypt, Lt Gen Sir John Grenfell Maxwell as General Officer Commanding, Egypt, to defend the Western Frontier, and temporary Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray as General Officer Commanding in Chief, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, to defend the Suez Canal, with which Robertson strongly disagrees on the grounds of lack of coordination in the conduct of operations and the administration of the forces (see also Murray/Maxwell letters in 8/1). 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/5/2]
1916 Mar 4
Letter to Robertson from Lt Gen Sir John Grenfell Maxwell, General Officer Commanding, Egypt, agreeing with Robertson's opinion that having two generals in Egypt is uneconomic, inconvenient and dangerous. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/5/3]
1916 Mar 7
Letter to Robertson from Lt Gen Sir John Grenfell Maxwell, General Officer Commanding, Egypt, advising the abolition of the dual command in Egypt and outlining the reasons why the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force should not be maintained in Egypt; giving a brief description of progress against the Senussi; praising the Australian and New Zealand divisions, despite their lack of discipline. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/5/4]
1917 Mar 28-1917 Apr 22
Typescript précis of telegrams between Robertson and temporary Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, notably Murray's description of the First and Second Battles of Gaza, Palestine, and details of his requirements, including artillery, rails, engineers, signal personnel and material, military transport, and aeroplanes. 13pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/5/5]
1917 Apr 23
Memorandum by Robertson on recent operations in Palestine, outlining the successful clearing of the Sinai Peninsula, occupation of Rafa and advance to Gaza, but advising the War Cabinet to amend their instructions to advance on Jerusalem, in the light of the collapse of the Russian Army, the Allied failure to take Gaza in Mar and Apr, and the probable removal of Gen Sir Archibald (James) Murray as General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/5/6]
1917 Jul 17
Memorandum by Robertson responding to a telegram by Gen Sir Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, regarding future operations in Palestine, and the difficulties of providing adequate resources for an offensive in Sep. 5pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/5/7-8]
1917 Oct 9
Memorandum by Robertson for the War Cabinet, on future military policy, notably on the feasibility of a large offensive to occupy the Jaffa-Jerusalem line in Palestine, giving his opinion that the Allies should act on the defensive in Palestine and seek a decision on the Western Front. Includes a General Staff paper on the plan for the occupation of the Jaffa-Jerusalem line. 16pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/5/9]
1917 Nov 15
Memorandum by Robertson for the War Council on the situation in Turkey, assessing the impact of military defeat and political and economic pressure on Turkey, and concluding that she is unlikely to break with Germany. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/5/10]
1917 Dec 26
Printed General Staff memorandum for the War Cabinet on future operations in Palestine, outlining the requirements and considerations to be taken into account in a plan to complete the conquest of Palestine and Syria. 7pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/6/1]
1917 May 9
Paper written by Robertson for the War Council on the military effect of Russia seceding from the Entente following the Russian Revolution, especially regarding the release of enemy troops on the Eastern Front. 9pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/6/2]
1917 Jun 23
Note by Robertson on a memorandum by the Rt Hon David Lloyd George, Prime Minister, regarding future military policy, supporting strongly the planned Flanders offensive on the Western Front (Third Battle of Ypres) and analysing the flaws in Lloyd George's alternative proposal to send British troops to Italy to mount an attack against Austria. 17pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/6/3]
1917 Jul 29
Paper by Robertson for the War Council on the present military situation in Russia, and its effect on future Allied plans following a large scale Russian retreat on the Eastern Front, advising that pressure be brought to bear on the Germans on the Western Front to prevent them moving divisions to the East, and that commitments in secondary theatres should be scaled down, especially with regard to the Balkans and Salonika, Greece. 9pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/6/4]
1917 Nov 14
Paper by Robertson for the War Council on the situation in Macedonia, namely the lack of information supplied by French Gen Maurice Paul Emmanuel Sarrail, Commander in Chief, Allied Army of the Orient, to the British Government on events there, including information sent to Sarrail by Paul Painlevé, French War Minister, intelligence of a possible enemy attack on Salonika, Greece, from the Serbian Military Attaché, details of Greek political and economic problems, and estimates of the number of Allied and enemy troops on the Macedonian Front. 12pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/6/5]
1917 Nov 19
Paper by Robertson for the War Council on future military policy, notably in 1918, advocating that Britain prepare for an offensive on the Western Front in the spring, and limit activities in other theatres, and especially that the question of the supply of additional manpower be investigated thoroughly. 10pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/6/6]
1917 Dec 29
Paper by Robertson for the War Council on the present military situation, with reference to the peace proposals by the Central Powers, advising that peace with Germany at the present time would be disastrous to the British Empire, and predicting a large scale German attack on the Western Front early in 1918. 13pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/6/7]
1918 Jan 12
Paper by Robertson for the War Council, reporting a conversation between Robertson and US Gen John Joseph Pershing, Commander in Chief, US Expeditionary Forces in Europe, on placing American battalions in British divisions, to which proposal Pershing was opposed on various grounds. 6pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/6/8]
1918 Jan 3
Paper by Robertson for the War Council, answering questions on the outcome of the war, and giving his opinion that the position of the Allies would be much undermined by accepting the peace proposals of the Central Powers, and that in rejecting them, Britain should be aware of the need for more men and shipping in order to achieve further military victories. 10pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/6/9]
1918 May 29
Paper by temporary Gen Sir Henry Hughes Wilson, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, for the War Cabinet, giving a summary of the preparations which are being made to prepare US units for operations in 1919, and putting forward suggestions to be made at the forthcoming Supreme War Council meeting on the subject. 4pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/6/10]
1918 May 30
Letter from Robertson to the War Office, asking for a definite ruling on whether he is to exercise command of the Home Forces. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/7/1]
1917
Dardanelles Commission: First Report (Part I - Origins and Inception), (HMSO, London, 1917). 62pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/7/2]
[1919]
The Final Report of the Dardanelles Commission (Part II - Conduct of operations, &c) (HMSO, London, 1919). 1 vol.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/1-21] Documents relating to
the creation of the Allied Supreme War Council
in Nov 1917, and its various powers and functions, Jun 1917 - 18 Jun 1918
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/1]
1917 Jun
Printed War Office pamphlet entitled 'His Majesty's Letters Patent constituting the Army Council (6th February, 1904), and orders in council relative to the duties, titles and precedence of members of the Army Council'. 8pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/2-3]
1917 Nov 2
Copy of a Foreign Office telegram (1870) to the British Ambassador in Rome, proposing a conference between the French, British and Italians in light of the recent military disasters in Italy; outlining the scheme to create a Supreme War Council as proposed by the British War Cabinet. Enclosing a further telegram giving the full text of the preliminary draft proposal for the Supreme War Council. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/4-6]
1917 Nov 4-1917 Nov 7
Three drafts of the scheme of organisation of an Inter-Allied War Committee, as proposed by the Rt Hon David Lloyd George, Prime Minister. The final version is a copy of a damaged original made by Victor Bonham-Carter, (author of A Soldier True, (Frederick Muller Ltd, London, 1963) a biography of FM Sir William (Robert) Robertson, 1st Bt), and is an amended draft approved by the British and French Governments, giving the proposed body much greater powers of control over military strategy. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/7]
1917 Nov 7
Directive from the Supreme War Council at Rapallo, Italy, directing its Permanent Military Representatives to report immediately on the present situation on the Italian Front. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/8]
1917 Nov 11
Memorandum by Maj Gen Sir William Thomas Furse, Master General of the Ordnance, on the scheme of organisation of the Supreme War Council, setting out his objections to the composition of the Council, on the grounds that having a Permanent Military Representative at Versailles as well as a Chief of the Imperial General Staff in Britain will cause friction, conflicting advice and delay in the passing on of vital information. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/9]
1917 Nov 12
Printed 'Proceedings of the Army Council', on relations between the Army Council and the British Military Representative to the Allied Supreme War Council, questioning whether the Representative will be under the authority of the Army Council and act on behalf of it. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/10]
1917 Nov 13
Memorandum from Lt Gen Sir Cecil Frederick Nevil Macready, Adjutant General to the Forces, to the Rt Hon Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for War, notably focusing on the role of the Permanent Military Representative to the Supreme War Council as outlined in the scheme (see 4/8/6) and his relationship with the War Council, and reaching the conclusion that the only practicable solution is for the Chief of the Imperial General Staff or another member of the Army Council to take up the duties of the Representative. 3pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/11]
1917 Nov 15
Memorandum from Robertson to the Rt Hon Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for War, in response to Derby's request for Robertson's views as to the best way of working the military aspects of the Allied Supreme War Council, advising the creation of a military secretariat to the Supreme War Council to coordinate information passed on by the military advisers to the respective governments. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/12]
1917 Nov 19
Printed 'Proceedings of the Army Council', on the relations between the Army Council and the British Permanent Military Representative to the Supreme War Council, notably recommending that the Chief of the Imperial General Staff act as the Representative to avoid duality of military counsel, and confusion as to responsibilities. 2pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/13]
[1917 Nov]
Manuscript draft note by the Rt Hon Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Secretary of State for War, to the War Cabinet, asking questions concerning the responsibilities of the Supreme War Council and the British military authorities. 1p.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/14-20]
1917 Nov 19-1918 Jun 18
Extracts from parliamentary debates in the House of Commons on the functions of the Supreme War Council, and the position of French Marshal Ferdinand Foch as Generalissimo of the Allied forces. 9pp.
[ROBERTSON: 4/8/21]
1917 Nov 20-1918 Apr 16
Extracts from The Times on the creation of the Supreme War Council, and the position of French Marshal Ferdinand Foch as Generalissimo of the Allied forces. 2pp.
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