File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎191r] (386/804)

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Remaeks.
sho , u 3 d like t0 draw attention to the fact that
nln = ’ h ° Ut l p e dlstrl0t . m which the above movements and operations took
place means of communication, other than messengers are totally lacking. All
which’ t r - ePOrt ^ et 0 '-t tt ^ ef01 ^ t I 00kse ' reraldaysto reacl1 their destination, by
unceLbTL^r M U f'T h ? d P robab, y entirely altered. Messengers are
my letters to slrjin. 8612 “ r0bbed “ ° CCUrred ° n tW ° 0CCaSi ° nS t0
imnrove e thk W st 0 ? 0 U nf der ff AbbaS '?T rman . t , ele g ra P h line wi U to a great extent !
ia^shrnl^nl ! h f affalrs an d 1 consider it extremely important that Sir- :
]an should also be connected with Kerman by telegraph. Sirian is one of the
most important strategical and political points in this district, is practically
the gateway between Kerman and Pars, and lying as it does close to the borders
by eventsfntotown countries, these tribes are considerably affected |
„ There is very fair roa d from Kerman to Sirjan which with very little
w rk couM be made fit for motor traffic. The road from haft to Kerman and
Bait to Sirjan cari also be made fit for motors without great difficulty
ffithisXS^ greatGSt ass ' stance t0
fn ~7 A11 ^ rans P orfc em P lo y e( i during these movements had perforce
^l r ® d cam ® ls This method of transport is very slow, unweildy and
difficult to guard on the road, and was the cause of delays and slowness of
movement. Mules m any number are impossible to obtain in this District and
1 would urge that mules be purchased at Ispahan or Shiraz and sent to Kerman
t0r m 86 ! 9,8 tran 1 s l :)0r . t } n tllls district. Large wagons, or better still motor lorries
could be used with great advantage on the Kerman, Sirian, Baft Circle,
n concluding this report I should like to bring to your attention and special
notice the work performed by the following officers. ^
Captain Wagstaff. ( 2 nd Kajputs), South Persia Rifles. For his sound
dispositions and successful attack with numerically inferior force against
the walled town of Saidabad on the 28th September. Although the attack
did not result m the recapture of the prisoners it undoubtedly went a long wav
to establishing our prestige in the district. ° J j
Lieutenant Fraser. (15th Lancers). This officer successfully escorted
a large and unweildy convoy of arms and ammunition over a difficult and
dangerous road from Bunder Abbas to Kerman, and although followed by
bands of Baharlus bis dispositions prevented their attacking and looting the
convoy. This officer also made a very energetic attempt to cut off the escap
ing prisoners on the night Btlwth September riding some 40 miles in the dark
in unknown country and followed by only 30 sowars.
Captain Merrill. South Persia Bifles For his energy in raisino- levies
at Sirjan and for the bold front he showed when alone without support fcr
several weeks in very difficult circumstances.
All reports agree that all officers and Indian troops showed great gallantry
under fire in the attack on Saidabad on the 28th September. I should like also
to mention Lieutenant Fowle (15th Lancers), South Persia Bifles, for his excel
lent work in training and organizing the South Persia Bifles at Kerman. It is
greatly due to the energies of this officer that the South Persia Bifles are now
a very promising force of about 600 men.
G. L. FAB BAN, Major,
{4th Cavalry I. A.)
Commanding South Fersia Bijles, Kerman.
The 25th October 1916.