'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' [‎6r] (11/40)

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Lance Naik, 106th Hazara Pioneers, was sanctioned, Subadar-Major AH Dost was
questioned by officers of M. 0. 3 at Delhi.
The Inspector-General constantly visited the Secretary of the Foreign Depart
ment and discussed political questions relating to Southern Persia.
9. After a visit of a month, during which much interest was evinced in the
South Persia Rifles, the Inspector-General, accompanied by his staff officer,
reached Bandar Abbas on 19th January. The base was formally taken over by
the South Persia Rifles on the following day (20th January).
The duties of officers at Bandar Abbas were reallotted and an area commander,
responsible for intelligence and operation including protection of working parties on
the new road to Kirman, was appointed. A strong intelligence unit was formed m
this area with headquarters at Bandar Abbas and with branches at Gakum and
Fin During the cold weather the nomad tribes come down into the Garmsir
districts bordering on the sea coast. It is this southern sectional our line ot
communication that is most exposed to raids duiing the winter mon s. e
new organization for intelligence aims at obtaining early information of parties
gathering to raid, and at their identification.
10. A site for the new cantonment was selected^ on the high ground
immediately to the north-east of the present camp at Xaiband.
The purchase of two pieces of land and of a date garden, on very favourable
terms, was concluded through the assistance of Mr. Howson, His Majesty s
Consul.
A commencement was made with the new temporary pier opposite the new
site for the cantonment.
11. Transport at Bandar Abbas was organized and distributed as follows :—
li) The bulk of Government Transport, including camels, mules and bullocks,
was placed under Captain Charriol, assisted by Lieutenant Luther,
and was allotted to road construction duties, e.g., formation of
dumps and stores for working parties employed on the Bandar
Abbas-Kirman road.
(ii) Station Transport for work at the Base Supply Depot, consisting of a
few Government animals, was^placed at the disposal of the Base
Supply Officer.
{iii) Convgy Transport, consisting entirely of hired Persian animals, was
placed under Captains Wall and Lane, 1st Infantry, South Persia
Rifles. These officers have a good knowfledge of'Persian and are
responsible for the hiring 'of local transport and for settling
“ charvardars ” claims.
Much of this work in the past has been thrown on Mr. Hov'son, His Majesty’s
Consul, and the Deputy Governor, Shuja-ul-Mulk, owing to the local Supply and
Transport officer’s ignorance of the Persian language. The South Persia Rifles
is deeply indebted to the untiring assistance afforded by these two officials.
12 An enquiry was held at Bandar Abbas on the attack on a South
Persia Rifles caravan near Sarzeh, on the 28th December 1917, in which Indian
Government camels had been carried off by Mazidi Arabs and others. The
proceedings of this Court of Enquiry have been forwarded to the Chief of the
General Staff.
Information available pointed to the complicity of the Kalantar of Fm,
Rasulla, and of the Kalantar of Rizw^an in this and other attacks on caravans.
Both were arrested and after a careful enquiry had been held by British officers,
the Kalantar of Fin was found guilty and shot.
13. The Qawam-ul-Mulk, who was at Darab, was invited to meet the
Inspector-General at Gakum on February 12th.
C80(w)GSB
Bandar Abbas.
&
Gakum,