'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' [‎12r] (23/40)

By 3 p.m. Captain Hill moved off with animals he had collected—Lieutenant
Thacker was ordered tp retire from the hills south of the camp. The column,
formed of three troops, Burma Mounted Infantry, forming a rear guard. Before
the rear guard moved off an Indian officer’s patrol who had been sent out to the
left flank, returned, reporting that he had seen a large enemy’s camp at the foot
of the low hills in the bay north of the “ L ” in Lake Tasht. Also the Indian
officer’s patrol who had been sent out on the right flank to overlook the plain
returned and reported that two encampments in the low hills at Chah Surk had
been located. I then sent him off with one troop to proceed in advance of the
cattle and piquet the hills north-west of the “ C ” in Chah Surk over which the
road passed.
The rear guard left enemy’s camp under fire from the Ifills to which enemy
had returned At 3-30 p.m. at which time the sound of firing was also heard
from the direction in which the cattle were moving under Captian Hill. The
rear guard on entering the gorge a mile south-west of the second “ N ” in Sinjan
came under heavy fire from both flanks and rear. From here a rear guard action
was fought through the low hills keeping the enemy off the cattle which they were
trying to recover. On nearing Chah Surk two more camps about 30 tents each
were burnt—the armed inhabitants taking to the hills and joining the enemy.
The enemy followed up the column to 2 miles east of Chah Surk until 5 p.m.
when they broke off the action. During the retirement a certain number of cattle
got away, also all the prisoners. The column with cattle, etc., reached camp at
9 p.m. The non-commissioned officer’s patrol, which was left on the right flank to
ascertain the owner of the sheep seen on the hills, came into camp with 300 head
at 9-30 p.m. This patrol had been attacked during its retirement to camp by
superior numbers, but succeeded in bringing in the cattle without casualties to
itself though inflicting loss on the enemy.
Our casualties during the day were wounded non-commissioned officers
and men. Roll of Honour—
No. 25 Daffadar Partab Singh, slight.
No. 63 Lahce-Daffadar Sewa Singh, slight.
No. 143 Sowar In the East India Company army and later Indian Army, an ordinary native cavalryman or mounted cavalryman. Bhan Singh, severe.
Horses wounded—
Nos. 191, 172, 199, 272, 221, 203, “ B” Squadron No. 14 “A ” Squadron.
All wounds inflicted were caused by [small bore modern rifle bullets.
No. of rounds fired by B. M. I. .. .. .. 4,440
No. of rounds fired by South Persia Rifles .. .. 740
2,180
Enemy’s strength, 100 rifles.
Casualties, 15 killed, 10 wounded,
Booty, camels 10, sheep 1,700, donkeys 20.
During the day the column covered a distance from 24 to 30 miles. Scouts
and patrols up to 40 miles. Weather cloudy and very cold, started snowing
11 P.M.
Ardnjari .—Snowed heavily during morning. Rested—found shelter for column 2 ^th
in buildings on west of Village—received message 8 a.m. from Colonel Orton, dated 1918,
23rd January 1918, advising return to Shiraz. Replied to. Deputy Governor
sent out spies to ascertain exact loss and dispositions of enemy.
Weather cleared during middle of day, but started snowing 3-30 p.m.,
continued well into night. As there was a shortage of bhoosa for animals decided if
fine to go out next day on a foraging expedition to neighbouring villages with whole
of column. On account of smallness of column all cattle taken on 24th January
were handed over to Deputy Governor of Arsinjan district and receipts taken.
iC80(w)GSB
January
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