'REPORT on the Working of the Line of Communication AND ON THE Withdrawal of the British Military Mission IN EAST PERSIA, 1919-20. GENERAL STAFF INDIA. [‎13v] (31/168)

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chose the favourable hour of Sunset when committing raids, which allowed
escape across the Frontier before dawn the following day thus evading
caotuie bv Levies in pursuit. Stolen camels were often abandoned when
captore ap^earld inevitable, while the raiders implicated made good them
own escape over the Border where they could not be followed. Reports were
promptly received regarding organised raiding parties and reception prepared
for the intruders, but with the limited number of Troops obviously other
measures were necessary to deal with the situation.
3. Raiding.
Raiders from South-West Afghanistan, composed chiefly of local Tribes
men expert riflemen, were at this period able to raid as tar a held as the
Hurmuk-Mukhi-Surkh-Eurmuk-Duzdap road. Taking into consideration
the scarcity of water in this Area, the carrying off of large numbers of camels
pursued by Moveable Columns, must be regarded as an achievement.
Raiding was less common on the Sistan-Lutak-Hurmuk Road, owing to
the rapidity 0 with which information could be communicated to Out-Bosts.
All Out-Rosts were in Telephonic communication and Very Lights were also
used with success.
On the Baring-Bandan route raiding was more frequent owing to the
fact that raiders could find w r ater anywhere in the vicinity of the Hamun.
Escape from this Area was also comparatively easy, as retreat could be made
across the Afghan Border in a northerly direction.
4. Measures adopted.
On examination of the circumstances, it was apparent to me that without
watering facilities raiding of any large extent w T ould be impossible, and I
therefore, ordered that all well-known watering places frequented by raiders
during their incursions to the Bine of Communications, should be picqueted
and other watering holes filled in. This was quite feasible, although involving
a lot of labour.
Patrolling was continued as heretofore, and unescorted maundage Convoys
were ordered to proceed by the protected routes, otherwise compensation for
loss of camels under the terms of the contract would be inadmissible.
These measures insured the complete immunity from raids on the outer
ring of the Main Line of Communications and incidentally secured effective
protection for the Line of Communications itself.
Attention was also given to the possibility of raids from the West from
the direction of Lehani-Baghi, and Uarageh. Out-Posts and Patrols were
here also established, forming a complete Cordon encircling the raiding Area
which succeeded in stopping raiding and the capture of many suspects.
Appendix No. (1) shows the schedule of raids which occurred from
17th jNovember 1919 to 19th August 1920.
Appendix No. (2) shows the Areas common to raiding.
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199 CGS