File 3516/1914 Pt 11 'Persia: protection of Anglo-Persian Oil Co's fields etc' [‎258v] (521/550)

12
ground springs at Maidan Napthak, distance about 5 miles to north-west of
Station. Underground springs in dry weather give about 10,000 to 12,000
gallons per diem which about suffices for requirements of Oil Company—water
for mules (brackish) from stream close to oil fields.
Pipe line to Maidan Napthak lies over undulating country and is vulnerable
throughout—pumping station situated in an open plain easily defensible—a
stream close to the pumping station is calculated to supply now i ,000 gallons
an hour good water—this diminishes considerably in dry weather and sometimes
dries except in pools.
Maidan Napthak would form a very suitable camp. The number of troops
accommodated would only be limited by the amount of water available (at present
about a Brigade and Transport)—grazing good—no firewood except few bushes
at source of stream, but troops would have to use oil.
The source of the stream about miles beyond the pumping station would
require guarding otherwise this water supply would be easily cut ofb A good
camp site exists near source of stream. ^ Two or three^other good springs exist
to the north of Maidan Napthak especially Chasm Ali which has been measured
in dry weather to give 1,800 gallons per hour—Chasma Zuliak 100 to 120 gallons
per hour, and as all other water in the neighbourhood of the oil fields is salt
Maidan Napthak and the springs to the north of it would probably be used for
hostile concentrations.
A route said to be fit for pack mules, and as far as I could see fit for mules
leads along the high ground north of the Tembi river to Batwand thence vid
Abgah to Shuster—this route was formerly used for pack mules by the Oil
Company. The descent to Batwand is said to be difficult and practically no
wa t e r—until Batwand is reached—in some places route said to be commanded
by hills.
Taking into consideration water difficulties, the best way to locate troops to
defend the oil fields would be 1 Battalion at the fields (about all water would
suffice for in addition to Oil Company’s requirements) a double company at the
Power House at Tembi—the bulk of the force about a Brigade at Maidan
Napthak.
Summary of distances.
f Ahwaz to Wais
Miles.
16
Bavi country
.< Wais to Moola Thanieh
^Moola Thanieh-Khazineh or Haddam
10
g to Haddam.
12 to Khazineh.
9*
8
f Haddam Khazineh-Abgunji
Gunduzlu country Abgunji-Darra Khazineh
^Darra Khazineh to foot hills
("Foot hills to Watershed via Charbasha
Watershed to Abgah via Gaosar
Abgah to Tembi River
•».
... 4
... 4 i
... 12 \
••• si
Bakhtiari country
Up Tembi River to Tembi station
Tembi Station to Oil Fields ...
^Oil Fields to Maidan Napthak ...
5
Cart Road
Mule Road
Mule Road
.„ Tembi to Bahdarun Plain over Chalbatun ... 5i
... Rahdarun Plain to Shor Darrah River ... 2£
... Shor Darrah River to Abgunji via Anjirak
Pass
• ••
• ft
7