One of the most significant but understated aspects of any argument relating to the origins of The First World War is the factor of Oil. The arms race that had its start at the beginig of the century had its prime mover in the construction of new naval fleets. By 1904 coal as a fuel for the ships in these fleets was being replaced by oil and it was seen also as the new "super" fuel in the technological and industrial changes being experienced by developed nations. It therefore became imperative for these nations to have control of oil resources round the world. The Americans and The Russians were self sufficient in oil with Russia being by far the biggest producer. The Austro-Hungarian Empire had oil in Romania. The French were actively exploring their possessions in North Africa and The British Empire had successfully negotiated supplies from Persian oil-fields. That left Germany in the precarious position of having to rely on The Ottoman Empire. When Germany proposed The Berlin to Baghdad Railway it insisted on the under-ground mineral rights for twenty kilometres on either side of the Railway when it entered Turkey and Northern Iraq having already had the evidence of oil confirmed along with the first wells opened at Mosul in 1888.

I am researching the 7th Batallion Seaforth Highlanders.
The Seaforths were in action on the 11th of April 1918 at Hollbeke near Ypres.
During the action my great uncle was recorded as missing during a counter attack. I would like to make contact with any one who may have any furhter information about the action on this day either Brittish or German.