Coll 28/18 ‘Persia; Diaries; Meshed intelligence Summaries 1931–’ [‎62v] (124/299)

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in particular are elated at all incidents
which cause embi rrassment to the bo\ let
Government which the)' cordially hate.
11. Enlistment of women.—During Nov
ember 1931 about 150 women were enrol
led in the army. They were issued with
men’s uniforms and given Military training.
It is stated that they only entered the army
in order to get food and clothing.
12. Gas training .—Four versts to the
north of Kokand is a parade ground spe
cially prepared for gas training. Trenches
and dugouts have been dug. Training is
carried out once a week.
Troops divide into two parties, one side
putting down the gas cloud and the other
renelliiig the attack. After the attack the
troops are practised in clearing the gas
infected area with pumps and spra)s.
The informant has witnessed this train
ing on several occasions. He states that
the gas clearing apparatus consists of port
able cylinders with pump attachments.
13. Uzkend .—The informant states that
the "arrison of this town has recentl) been
increased and that there have been troop
movements towards the Chinese frontier
of Sinkiang. One or two troop trams
a week have been passing through Kokand
from Chernayev in the direction of Andijan.
14. Requisitions. —G. P. TT. troops ha\e
recently been engaged in confiscating horses,
carts and bicycles for Military purposes.
15. Rations .—In the bakery (where the
informant worked), reserves of Army
biscuits are being prepared.
There is a scarcity of bread in Uzbegis-
tan Government servants who formerly
received fixed rations have had them re
duced by about 25%. This also applies
the troops.
L6. Railway Communication.—The^ line
bween Chernayev and Kokand is being
3 aired, considerable labour is being em-
wed on this work. Passenger trains run
ilv. Postal trains twice a week, Iroop
d* goods trains at irregular intervals.
17. Samarkand .—An individual resident
metime in Samarkand who left that town
the 22nd of February reports as
[lows :
18. Garrison .—The principle garrison
Samarkand is located at Pyanjkent
out 50 versts from Samarkand and con-
cted to it by rail. A mission to Pyanj-
nt is only permissible on a pass issued
the Military Authorities.
According to the informant Pyanjkent
central Military Station of
Uzbegistan.
The strength of the garrison at Pyanj
kent is given as 8,000 of all arms. That of
Samarkand as :
2 Companies of Infantry of Regimei^
No. 9 (? 9th T. M. R. Regimenv
a possibility).
1 Squadron of Cavalry l No iderltifica .
1 Battery / tion3 -
These troops are located in the fort which
is situated between the Old and New cities.
19. Conscription. —This has been finish
ed for the year. It will start again from
the beginning of 1932.
The informant also states that women
have been enrolled in numbers and sent to
Tashkent under their own officers. He
gives the number as 500 (probably an
exaggeration). These women are said
to include Armenians, Mohammedans and
others.
20. G. P. About 300 all ranks.
21. Inspection. —On the 20th of Febru
ary 3 senior officers from Moscow carried
out an inspection of the Samarkand gar
rison and on the 25th of the Pyanjkent
garrison. In the latter place manoeuvres
were arranged. They afterwards left in
the direction of Termez.
22. Clothing and hoot factories.—WL&ny
factories exist in Samarkand for the pro
duction of these articles. They are said
to be working overtime to supply troops in
Uzbegistan awaiting orders. {Comment.
This sentence is not quite clear, it might
mean that they are under orders to move
at short notice.)
23. General. —This informant confirms
the enforced requisition of wheeled trans
port, bicycles, and animals reported by the
other source in paragraph 14 above. A
large number of horses have been collected
in the vicinity of Samarkand.
24. Aerodrome. —This is extensive and
lo 3 ated on the side of Samarkand towards
Zarafshan. There are a few buildings on
it. Postal planes alight there regularly.
25. Aerial Manoeuvres. —It was an
nounced on the 20th February that there
would be aerial manoeuvres on the 28th
when the release of gas from aeroplanes
was to be tested. All inhabitants were
warned to close their doors and windows
and remain in their houses during the
manoeuvres.
26. Morale. —The soldiers are stated to
be discontented with the Government but
afraid of the political control and do not
express their opinions openly. The condi