'Despatch by Brigadier-General Sir P. M. Sykes, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Inspector-General, South Persia Rifles and Commanding British Mission Escort in Persia on Minor Operations in Southern Persia. From 7th November 1917 to 31st March 1918' [‎3r] (5/40)

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tfi) Scattered posts of South Persia Rides cavalry and infantry 'between
Shiraz and Dehbid were concentrated as follows ■:—
(«) At Zarghun (from Shiraz)—one troop South Persia Rifles Cavalry, one
section South Persia Rifles Infantry with a detached infantry
guard on the block-house of Pul-i-Khan (bridge over the Band Amir
River).
(b) One squadron 3rd Cavalry, South Persia Rifles, was concentrated in
the well-built caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). at Qavvamabad. The Head Quarters
of the 3rd Cavalry is at Abadeh, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hunter
used to keep detachments of the 3rd Cavalry all down the road,
at Shiraz, and partly along the road to Khaneh Zinian.
Altogether 130 of the 3rd Cavalry were collected at Qavvamabad from
small posts, under Captain Hill, South Persia Rifles, and two Bri
tish cavalry instructors, South Persia Rifles. The majority of
these men were ex-gendarmes of the Swedish regime, many with
5 or 6 years service. One-third of them were non-commissioned
officers, having been given rank by the Swedes, or by Lieutenant-
Colonel Hunter, for small posts. I inspected these at Qavvam
abad. A more villainous-looking lot of men, and more unpromis
ing material, I have seldom come across. Captain Hill was told
to weed them out as quickly as possible, and to do his best with the
remainder, to give them a chance. Forty were discharged during
December 1917.
After Captain Hill’s experiences with the remainder of these 90 ex-gen-
darmes, during January 1918,1 gave orders for the discharge of the
whole lot, for cowardice and indiscipline, and as not being worth the
pay they drew. The horses, equipment, rifles, clothing, etc., were
all sent to Abadeh, where a new squadron 3rd Cavalry is being
formed.
One squadron 2nd cavalry, South Persia Rifles, from Shiraz proceeded
to Qavvamabad in February 1918.
.(c) The winter garrison of Dehbid was fixed at one platoon South Persia
Rifles Infantry and one troop South Persia Rifles Cavalry (from
Abadeh).
Note. —In March 1918 the garrison of Dehbid was taken over by South Persia
Rifles detachments from Shiraz, and the whole of the 3rd Cavalry and 3rd
Infantry were concentrated at Abadeh.
{d) In view of developments .northwards, the bulk of the 3rd Cavalry
South Persia Rifles (about 2 squadrons) was concentrated at Aba
deh for training and musketry. Several small posts of cavalry
near Abadeh were withdrawn to Abadeh.
The bulk o v f the 3rd Infantry South Persia Rifles (about 2| companies)
was concentrated at Abadeh. One platoon South Persia Rifles
infantry was allotted to Yezd-i-Khast, with a detached guard at
Shulgistan and at Aminabad.
(in) The accounts of the Abadeh outpost, about one year in arrears were
gone into by Officer Commanding Fars Brigade, and taken to Shiraz,
for incorporation into the Fars Brigade accounts.
(iv) The rationing arrangements at Abadeh have hitherto not been satis
factory An East India Company trading post. . The South Persia Rifles men had been receiving a money
allowance in lieu of rations.
1 detailed Captain Temple, South Persia Rifles, attached Supply and Trans
port Corps, as Supply Officer for Abadeh. This wms done so that he
> should be available to move from Abadeh with any column it might
be found necessary to send northwards.