‘Military report on Persia Volume I 1930’ [‎27r] (58/154)

41
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tions in 1919, but since the evacuation of the troops, the
buildings have been looted of all woodwork.
A note on the Strategic position of Seistan*
1 . The geographical position and productiveness of Seis-i
tan make it an important strategic area, a fact fully re-
cognised by Russia, who might, owing to its present
defenceless condition, attempt to seize it at, or even before,
the outset of hostilities with Britain. A rapid movement
from Zulfikar, via Kariz, by a small mobile force would
not be difficult and once established in Seistan it would be
difficult to dislodge. It is therefore of primary importance
to prevent a small force suddenly seizing Seistan. Owing
to the country being so favourably adapted for defence
against invasion from the north, especially in the summer,
a small defending force, with knowledge of the ground,
should be able to do this.
There are three lines of approach: —
(1) To cross the Hamun.
(2) To skirt it by the north.
(3) To skirt it by the south.
In normal years, from April to November, a vast eX 4
pause of water of marsh stretches from Kalah-i-Kang on
the north-west, past Chakansur, and extends along the
northern and western extremities as far south as the
overflow of the Hamun into the Shila river. At times ox
floods even unladen animals can only be taken acioss this
with great difficulty by a few recognised routes. Were a
hostile force to succeed in crossing this, the countiy in
their rear regains a network of canals and watercuts only
kept from over-flowing by protective embankments, ihe
cutting of these would turn any position the enemy had
taken up into an island or a morass.
In summer the depth of the stretch of water at
the crossing of the Hamun, is 2 to 4 feet, and much deeper
in other places. The bed is full of holes and mts and tin,,
bottom is of a sticky nature. The width of water varies
from 12 to 15 miles in a straight line, but the actual dis
tance traversed in crossing, except m the very southe
portion, is 15 to 20 miles. Good guides are required, though
through the reed beds regular recognised routes are cut.
It th ere fore constitutes a serious obstacle to troops, even