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File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎185r] (374/804)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (398 folios). It was created in 1916-1917. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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9
At Dasht-i-Arjan I gave orders for tlie South Persia Rifles to accom
pany the Clolumn to Khan-i-Zinian, whereupon some confusion took place and
many of the muleteers threw off the loads from the mules and galloped off with
the mules. In the dark some looting was done, probably by villagers, but the
whole force, with its wounded, was got safely over the Sineh Safid by 6 a.m.
on the 26th and continued its march to Khan-i-Zinian, where it arrived at
9*30 a.m.
The posts of Sineh Safid and near by were attacked by the enemy at 9 a.m*
and Dasht-i-Arjan with its South Persia Rifles pickets, who had been unable
to accompany the South Persia Rifles as ordered, was taken and their
rifles seized.
At 1 a.m. Jamadar Pab Din and 19 men of the 124th Baluchistan Infantry
returned safely to camp, having had a most adventurous experience and bring
ing in 3 cavalry horses and rifles with other property lost during the night
attack.
At midnight on December 26th-27th the Camp was again attacked by
a party of 40 to 50 enemy horsemen w r ho were easily driven off by the pickets.
No supplies being found at Khan-i-Zinian, it was necessary to retire to
Cbinarahdar, which was reached at 4 p.m, on December 27th. Six miles from
camp the Column was met by the Wireless Section, who were ordered to
return to Shiraz, and shortly afterwards I reported to you on the road.
On the 28th December the Column returned to Shiraz.
In a fight of this description, where a position which would require a
division to properly attack and where communication is almost impossible,
there must have been numerous incidents which will never come to light.
Tbe enemy were determined and excellent marksmen and, did not waste a
shot. In a few moments my tiny force was swallowed up by the intricacies of
the ground, and I consider that all ranks of the Indian troops behaved
splendidly in an impossible position.
Those of the South Persia Rifles who fought (about l-3rd) fought ?
bravely and deserve the highest praise for their gallantry. The action would |
have ended about 3 pm. but the wounding of Captain Wittkugel made it
imperative to continue it. As I was unable to see the details of the action
owing to the great extent and intricacy of the position, I attach Lieutenant-
Colonel Hunter’s report and fully endorse all he says.
I attach (1) Copies of casualties reports.
(2) Abstract of expenditure of ammunition.
I beg to bring to your favourable notice the following individuals who
particularly distinguished themselves by gallant or skilful conduct or both
and request that my recommendations may have your sanction.
(1) Throughout the operations Lieutenant-Colonel Prederick Eraser
Hunter performed the duties of the Staff Officer to the Column in a most
efficient manner, and afforded me the greatest assistance.
I would especially commend to your notice the skilful and very gallant
conduct of this officer when directing the fire of tbe South Persia Rifles
Machine Gun Section, which he first brought into action in support of the right
flanking movement detailed in my report, and subsequently very efficiently
made use of to cover the withdrawal of the wounded.
I would further submit that the very intrepid behaviour of
Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Eraser Hunter in his gallant attempt to bring
in Captain A. E. Wittkugel, who was lying in the open desperately wounded,
appears to be worthy of some special mark of appreciation.
(2) Major S. M. Bruce, 15th Lancers, in his usual cool and efficient manner
carried out the work of reconnaissance by day and protected ofer rear by
night. The behaviour of his squadron was excellent.
(3) Major R. S Rothwell, R. A., and his two guns certainly prevented
a failure to carry out the impossible from becoming into disaster. The
shooting of this section was magnificient. To Major Rothwell’s Battery I

About this item

Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, and memoranda, comprising miscellaneous correspondence on British involvement in Persia in the period 1916-17.

Topics discussed include:

  • the activities of the German Vice-Consul, Bushire, Wilhelm Wassmuss, including reports of an attack on him (folio 312)
  • an account of the escape of German and Austrian prisoners (folio 281)
  • translations of letters from German prisoners transferred from Shiraz to Russia (ff 43-48) including a translation of Dr Zugmeyer's diary
  • discussion of German and Russian activities in Persia
  • tables, statistics and reports on troop numbers and weaponry, deployments, military engagements and casualties
  • British relations with local chiefs and their dealings with the Germans and Russians
  • transcripts of local newspaper articles on various topics including the Russian Revolution (folio 136v)
  • discussion of money required to pay to tribes
  • miscellaneous Army Department memoranda
  • general reports on the political and military situation in Persia including the 'Bakhtiari country' (ff 320-321)

The file is mainly divided into sections on events by weekly date period. Correspondents include: the Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Department; HBM Minister, Tehran (Sir Charles Marling); HBM Consul, Bundar Abbas [Bandar Abbas]; HBM Consul, Shiraz; HM Consul-General, Meshed; HM Consul for Kerman and Persian Baluchistan, (David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer); HBM Vice-Consul, Ahwaz (Captain Edward Noel); HM Consul-General, Isfahan; General Officer Commanding, Sistan Field Force; The General Staff, South Persia Rifles, Shiraz; the Inspector-General, South Persia Rifles (Brigadier-General Sir Percy Molesworth Sykes); Chief of the General Staff, Simla; Chief of the Imperial General Staff, London; the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire; and the Deputy Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Bushire.

Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 volume (398 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file. The subject 3360 (Persian Correspondence) consists of three volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/612-614. The volumes are divided into three parts, with each part comprising 1 volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 400; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎185r] (374/804), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/612, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100044323282.0x0000af> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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