'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' [‎12v] (24/40)

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26ih January Arsinjan. — A bright cold morning. Column consisting of squadron Burma
1918 - Mounted Infantry, one troop South Persia Rifles and 30 transport mules moved
off 11 a.m. on foraging expedition, following direction, first east to \i age of
Akbarabad, 2 miles 'from Arsinjan, thence south-west to village of Alia bad,
Rafiabad, Hussainabad, Kalut Khur (D.S. 17-G. B.I.).
Bhoosa was collected sufficient for two days and paid for on the spot. Column
returned to camp 4-30 p.m. (12 miles).
On arrival at camp I was met by 12 armed men, the leader’s name was Suliman
Khan and he gave me several stories, one of which was that he had had some
donkeys stolen laden with Govefnement barley and he had been out with Captain
Townley somewhere neal Dehbid trying to recover same and now he was on his
way through to Tasht for the same object. Though he had been in Arsinjan a
couple of hours he had not reported to the Deputy Governor, so I made them all
prisoners and kept them in the Quarter Guard, as I was not satisfied with their
statements, received four letters brought in by 2 Kasids from Rais Ahmed Khan
Lashani of Khwaja Jamali stating he wished to come over and join me to help
and punish the Lashanis under Rahim Agha who, he considered, a black dog and
a knave to the Government. As I was thinking of attacking the next Arab
encampment near the one I had attacked on the 24th. I put these two Kasids in
the Quarter Guard and intend to answer the letters when I have finished my attack.
The Governor’s spies, who had gone out the day before as already mentioned, stated
that the Arabs, who had been attacked and defeated on the 24th by me, were at
Katah (B.-2) and were proceeding to the Garmsir. He also reported their casualties
at eight killed.
He said there was another encampment of Arabs 3 miles south-west of where
I had attacked the second encampment on 24th January 1918. Another spy,
who had gone out in the direction of Tasht, came in and reported that the
Lashanis in that direction had removed all their families and goods into the hills
and were awaiting an attack from us.
On all the above information, weather permitting I decided to attack the Arab
encampment reported by the spy 4 miles south-west of Gitmun.
Special idea. —The column with 1st line transport to start at 8 a.m. strength
January 4 troops Burma Mounted Infantry, 1 troop, South Persia Rifles baggage to be
left in camp with sufficient guards, Medical Officer, Burma Mounted Infantry, to
accompany column. Direction via Akbarabad Chah Surk and round spur 2*tniles
north of letter “ A ” in Lake (B.-l), 1 troop, Burma Mounted Infantry, advanced
guard, I patrol via Kalat Khur to protect right flank, all Burma Mounted Infantry
scouts to keep 2,000 yards in front of advanced guard.
The main body to march in line of troop columns, Officer Commanding with
advance guard.
Arsinjan. —Column started off at the trot at 8 a.m. as ordered on the 26th and
Sketch map B. continued and thus halting every half hour for 5 minutes until contact with
enemy was made in low hills, one mile north of “ L ” in Lake, at 10-30 a.m.
The advance guard came under fire on approaching ridge A, scouts being 800 yards
ahead. Advance guard dismounted and took cover behind ridge A. Main bodv was
ordered to move up at the gallop. In the meantime the enemy was located hold
ing hill “ B ” and “ C ”, I noticed a pathway running between A and B in the
direction of Arsinjan, and I decided that after the action this should be my line of
retirement to camp. As main body came up to ridge A and dismounted, advance
guard was moved off to right flank up high hills to dominate D and C and ordered
to move along the higher ridges to prevent enemy turning our right flank. One
troop was sent to keep on the left of the advance guard and move in the same
direction, with the same objective. Captain Hill was then sent out with the South
Persia Rifles troop to drive all camels, cattle, etc., on the plain and see in the direc
tion of B and A along the pathway mentioned above. One troop under a Jemadar
was ordered .do gallop forward and drive the enemy from B under a covering fire
from the troop left A. As soon as this troop arrived at B the enemy retired^to C
(about 30 horsemen), and this troop was then reinforced at B by a troop from A
In the meantime the two troops on the right flank got possession of the higher slopes
27th
1918.