Appendix II: Instructions issued to General Nash, 10 January 19181
1. To investigate and report on the existing transportation facilities by railway of the Allies on the Western front as a whole, that is, between the North Sea and the Adriatic, involving enquiry as to: —
(a.) The capacity and use of Trans-Continental main railway systems.
(b.) The resources of the Allies on the Continent in locomotives, rolling stock, railway material generally, and railway personnel.
(c.) The extent to which existing facilities can deal with movements of troops from one point to another on the Western front, and the manner in which they can be improved.
2. To make recommendations as to the constitution of an Inter-allied Co-ordinating Authority to deal with questions of Military Transport by rail on the Western front, including the following functions: —
(a.) To advise on the transportation aspect of any strategical proposals which are under consideration.
(b.) To study in advance and prepare for the carrying out of movements which may be decided upon.
(c.) To formulate special shipping requirements involved in any contemplated policy.
3. To indicate the extent to which the existing British organization for Transportation in the Field may require to be modified or altered in the event of the constitution of an Inter-allied Transport Authority.
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1 TNA, CAB 24/43/19, Report on general transportation situation on the western front, 20 Feb. 1918, p. 4.