Coll 28/67 ‘Persia. Annual Reports, 1932–’ [‎127v] (254/644)

58
Command.
487. The only change in the higher appointments has been the appointment
of General Mohammad Khan Nakcnevan as Acting Minister of War in place
of the late Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Assad, and of General Azizullah Khan Zarghami, Comman
dant of the Gendarmerie, as Acting Chief of the General Staff.
(2) Expenditure.
488 v The budget allotment for the Ministry of War for the year 1933-34
was 203,/29,980 rials. This included the navy and air force votes for which no
separate headings are given. This shows an increase of 20.010,000 rials over
last year's figures and, when 29,205,000 rials for the gendarmerie, 5,500,000 rials
for the frontier guards, and 350,000 rials for conscription expenses are added,
the sum arrived at (238,784,980 rials or about £3,183,666 at the present rate of
exchange) represents nearly 38-5 per cent, of the total budgeted expenditure of
the country.
489. During the year an additional £2 million was voted by the Majlis for
purchase of war material. This sum was found from the Persian Government’s
holdings abroad.
Strength.
490. The strength of the Persian armv has increased slightly since last
year and is not far short of 80.000 men.
Organisation.
491. Last year the General Staff planned a considerable reorganisation
scheme, which entailed extensive regrouping of the independent formations in
the centre, south and east of Persia. Owing, however, to their preoccupation with
tribal risings, they have not been able to put this scheme into effect, and no note
worthy changes have taken place since the submission of last year’s report.
C onscription.
492. Conscription is working smoothly and extensively, though the Persian
Government has not felt itself strong enough to attempt to impose it on the tribes
as yet. The more settled state of the country has rendered its operation more
extensive and effective, and the prospect of clothing, food and shelter has done
much to popularise—or at any rate to render less hateful—^compulsory militarv
service among the inhabitants.
(3) Arms and Equipment.
493. These have been extensively purchased. In the main the light auto-
matics are of Czechoslovakian manufacture. The artillery, comprising mountain
medium guns and howitzers, have been bought chiefly from Sweden. The aircraft
have been of British manufacture. America has supplied some heavy tractors
tor artillery, and Germany some heavy lorries.
(4) Training and Manoeuvres.
Lt ..Twining has necessarily included a high proportion of elementary
squad drill for the newly conscripted, but field work has not been neglected and
training in fire and movement for formation up to a battalion has been'very
regular Manoeuvres for the troops of the central garrison took place in
November and lasted three days. The Eastern and Western Azerbaijan divisions
took part in a combined exercise in October. No details or account of these
manoeuvres were published by the General Staff or appeared in the press.
(5) Arsenals.
495. Increased output of small arms ammunition is aimed at but owino- to
delay m the installation of new machinery, has not been achieved. r