'REPORTS ON MINOR OPERATONS IN SOUTH PERSIA UNDER Brigadier-General Sir P. M. Sykes, K.C.I.E, C.M.G., from May to July 1918. GENERAL STAFF INDIA' [‎32v] (73/194)

4. By 2 pm. special light scales of kit and transport had been drawn up
and issued to all concerned. Additional water pakhal mules were allotted,
owing to the heat in day-time, especially for hill fighting. Three South
Persia Bifles fourgons were taken filled with bhoosa^ to form a depot of forage
at Chinar Bahdar.
5. The column left Shiraz at 6 p.m. The mounted advanced guard
entered the gardens and walls of the line Bagh-i-Janat-Kushan at 7-15 p.m.
and skirmishing began The two squadrons, B. M. Bifles, in the advanced
guard were reinforced by the third squadron.
At 7-30 p m. the main column was among the walled enclosures of West
Janat, and the volume of the enemy’s fire increased. The wing, 16th Bajputs,
was sent forward under Lieutenant-Colonel ( 1 . B. Vanrenen, who extended his
two companies., one on each side of the road, and took over the advanced
guard from the mounted troops, and pushed steadily ahead towards Chinar
Bahdar.
- At 7-45 p.m. it w r as getting dark and it was desirable there should be no
check while the rear of the column w 7 as still among the vineyard enclosures of
West Janat. A wing of the 3-124th Baluchistan Infantry, therefore, was sent
forward under Lieutenant-Colonel Holbrooke, to support the Bajputs, if
necessary.
The enemy indulged in a good deal of firing both from our front and our
right flank, but the number of the enemy opposing was probably not more
than 150. A steady advance was continued, and all firing ceased at 8-15,
when the advance guard was close to Chinar Bahdar fort.
One man of the Burma Mounted Bifles was slightly wounded, and there
was no other casualty during this night skirmishing of the 16th Bajputs. One
sepoy Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. had the butt of his rifle damaged by a bullet, an Indian officer had a
bullet though his pagri, and two sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. had bullets through their clothing or
equipment. This advance was skilfully carried out by the 16th Bajputs under
the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G. B. Vanrenen.
* 6 . There is a water channel and a mill with a tower, in the open plain
near Chinar Bahdar, and it was intended to form a perimeter camp at this
point, so as to avoid any necessity for hill picquets. It had been estimated
tnat this mill and water channel were not less than 1,500 yards from the fort
and from the nearest hills.
The perimeter camp was paced out, markers were placed, and units and
transport guided from the road to their places. The rear guard was in by
9-15 p.m.
The perimeter was entrenched, and Lewis Guns were allotted to corners.
Orders were issued for picquetting pegs to be firmly driven in. The South
Persia Bifles Cavalry and South Persia Bifles Transport were placed well
inside" the perimeter, which w as 100 yards by 100 yards.
The troops had been so used to perimeter camps, that there was no con
fusion in taking up their places, even in the dark.
The enemy cut-off the stream of water as soon as they discovered we were
camping, but there were sufficient pools at the mill for our requirements.
7. At 2-30 a.m, a party of mounted Qashqais, estimated at forty,
opened a heavy fire from horseback into the camp, from a distance of
200 or 300 yards on the north-w T est side. The enemy raised loud shouts,
hoping to cause confusion and to stampede our animals. Simultaneous
ly a lieavy fire started from the river bed, 400 or 500 yards away on the
south side. The barking of dogs had put our sentries on the alert, and a
Lewis Gun of the Baluchis, at the north-west corner, opened fire about five
seconds after the enemy’s first shot. For about one minute there was heavy
firing from both sides, and the enemy then retired altogether.
There was no alarm among the Indian troops There was considerable
alarm among the South Persia Bifles Cavalry and the South Persia Bifle
muleteers. One or two South Persia Bifle sow r ars in the middle of the camp,
began firing up into the air in their excitement, until stopped by some Indian
ranks of the Burma Mounted Bifles. Several South Persia Bifle horses