'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III. PART I: A to K' [‎326v] (657/1278)

The Lingeh-Lar route is a good deal. shorter, and fit for mules. We
have no information with regard to it, but it seems that supplies are available ;
though not in large quantities, that the road is rough and crosses several
steep passes, but does not pass through country tenanted by important
nomad tribes, and that resistance by the inhabitants is improbable. Lingeh
moreover is not on the telegraph line and troops could probably be landed
and despatched up-country without the Persian Government or the tribes
being aware of the fact in advance.
The above facts indicate the desirability of early steps being taken to
send a qualified officer to investigate and report on the Lingeh-Lar-
Jahrum-Shiraz road.
As already explained in Chapter IV, the physical difficulties of the main
Bushire-Shliaz road make it practically impossible to move more than
one regiment of cavalry or infantry, with transport, over it simultaneously.
Were resistance to be encountered, however, at the principal kutals, only
infantry could hope successfully to clear the hills and occupy the passes
and it would be a task to which infantry unaccustomed to hill-warfare
might well prove unequal. The support of mountain guns would be
essential, and indeed without the aid of artillery the numerous stone and
mud rifle towers which crown the heights and various points of vantage
along the road could not be captured without very heavy losses.
It would seem therefore that a force intended to operate anywhere on
the roads between Bushire and Isfahan should be composed between Bushire
and Shiraz of | infantry and £ cavalry, from Shiraz to Dehbid the same:
from Dehbid to Abadeh, where the country is well suited to cavalry, |
cavalry and | infantry. The problem of supply is much more difficult where
cavalry are concerned, owing to the great bulk of fodder needed : the supply
arrangements for infantry present fewer difficulties, which should seldom
prove serious, as comparatively little transport is needed to carry three days’
rations for them.
Supplies.—In 1915 Captain Wilson wrote : “ Before entering on a discus
sion regarding the amount of supplies likely to be available for a military
force moving or stationed in the country, it is necessary to define the condi
tions under which we assume such a force to enter the country. If with
the consent, or at all events without the active opposition, of the Persian
Government it is safe to assume that we shall eventually be able to obtain
the co-operation of tribal and other authorities. If on the other hand we
are acting without the consent of the Persian Government, or in direct
opposition to local authorities, we can no longer count upon the complais
ance of the latter, and a new set of conditions arises : this possibility
must be taken into consideration.”
Supplies for troops moving on the Bushire-Shirdz-lsfahdn road with consent
of local authorities. —In order to meet the demand for fodder and provision
which is created by the passage of large mercantile caravans up and down
the main road, the stocks of fodder available at various stages are generally
considerably in excess of the quantities actually grown by the village con
cerned, as fodder is brought in for miles round for sale to persons in the
village who make a business of supplying caravans.