MESSAGE
 
 
 
FROM: Mideast                           RECEIVED:
                                        Time: 0104
TO: War Office, Rptd B.A.D. Washington.           Date: 26/3.
 
NO: CS/864 of 25/3
 
                        MOST IMMEDIATE.
 
Private for F.M. Dill. Personal and for C.I.G.S.
from General Auchinleck.
 
Cairo 25 March. Situation review.
 
1. Northern Front. 10 Army Persia and Iran no change work on
rear defence line Altun Kopru Fathah Haffa (on Euphrates between
Abu Kemal and Ana) proceeding well. Sudden need to move large
numbers Poles from Turkestan due Russian inability feed them
entails 1arge improvisations and will necessarily delay movement 
munitions from Persian Gulf to Russia. Arrangements are in hand. 
Poles on arrival will be concentrated Gaza neighbourhood in vacated 
Australian accommodation. Polish Depot noves from Alexandria to 
Gaza to receive them. Polish Bde Gp recently withdrawn from 
Western front will move to Gaza at end of April to assist in 
organising and training. No arms or equipment yet available 
but expected.
 
2. 9 Army Syria no change work on defences continues. Free 
French native Senegalese units mutinied Damascus last week and 
shot several white officers and N.C.Os. Causes inexperienced 
officers, fifth column activities, inactivity of troops and long 
absence from home. Situation in hand temporarily at  any rate. 
Disaffected units being moved Palestine en route Chad or to 
Western front but future outlook not reassuring. Free French Bde 
Gp with 8 Army behaving well.
 
3. King of Greece now visiting Greek troops in Palestine will
it is hoped be able stop political intrigue which is active.
 
4. Yugoslav trouble still persists owing to urnrealistic attitude 
Yugoslav authorities in London. Yugoslav Bn now helping to dig 
Salum Maddalena position and reported quite happy there. Czech 
battalion converting happily into Light A.A. Regiment.
 
5. N.Z. Inf Bde now en route via Nz base at Mapdi near Cairo to
 join remainder division at Baalbek in Syria.
 
5.  Egypt political situation improving and General Election 
proceeding satisfactorily.
 
6. Cyrpus reduction Garrison to one Bde Gp and three Bns in 
progress. All stores and equipment to enable Garrison to be 
reinforced rapidly by two Bde Gps with personal equipment only
being left on island. 7 Ind Inf Bde of 4 Ind Div and Jaipur
Bhopal Sultania and Rampur Bns relieving 5 Ind Div less 29 Ind 
Inf Bde with 8 Army and 161 Ind Inf Bde. Yorksqh and HCR 
relieving 3 Hussars and Skinners horse as Armd Regt and Armd
Car Regt respectively.
 
7. Sudan and Eritrea noxthing to report. Sudan Govt forming one 
and possibly two Bde Gps for service on Western front where they 
should be most useful.