Coll 28/67 ‘Persia. Annual Reports, 1932–’ [‎164v] (328/644)

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(6) Educational Establishments.
519. A school for cadets has been opened at Tabriz. Presumably a school
will be started in Meshed also.
(7) Organisation.
520. Two squadrons, each consisting of seven “Audax,” seven “Fury”
and two “ Tiger-Moth ” machines, are to be located at Tabriz and Meshed
respectively.
(8) Parades and Manoeuvres.
521. Air manoeuvres were held by the Iranian air force on the
26th November. His Imperial Majesty the Shah wms present and expressed
satisfaction at the manner in which the manoeuvres were carried out. All ranks
were granted three days’ leave. No invitations to witness these manoeuvres were
issued to foreign military attaches.
522. During the review held on the 22nd February some fifty-six machines
of the “Fury,” “Tiger-Moth" and “ Audax ” types flew in formation, arriving
from the East and passing over the saluting base. Four machines returned and
performed evolutions in the air.
(9) British Mechanics.
523. The British mechanics employed by the Iranian Government for service
with the Iranian air force have, in the past, experienced much difficulty in
obtaining their salary when it became due. In several instances it has been
ten days overdue. Representations were made direct by the men concerned to the
General Officer Commanding, and satisfaction was obtained.
(10) Foreign Air Missions.
524. Early in the year the Belgian Minister reported that His Imperial
Majesty the Shah, in the course of an audience, had expressed his satisfaction at
the efficiency with which the Belgian advisers and instructors were carrying out
their duties (they number one colonel, one major and six warrant-officer
instructors). Later in the year the Minister hinted that the French were
intriguing against the Belgian air mission, and said that he had instructed
Colonel Bever to avoid any “ incidents,” to be as obliging as possible and to ensure
the continuance of the mission at whatever cost in efficiency and self-respect.
525. As far as the colonel is concerned, these instructions are being carried
out to the letter.
526. More recently there is evidence to show that the Belgian mission has
been actively engaged in discrediting the Hawker products and attempting to
prevent further orders from this firm and to secure orders for “ Fairey ” aircraft
made under licence in Belgium.
527. They were able to profit by complaints (some of which were justifiable)
made by the Iranians themselves about the unreliability of the Hawker machines.
528. It is true that the propellers have proved unsatisfactory, but there are
other causes (such as a paucity of spares and an insufficiency of mechanics) the
blame for which can in no way be laid at the company’s door. One of the
company’s test pilots has arrived in Tehran and is engaged in rectifying the
defects.
(C) The Navy.
(1) Naval -Exercises.
529. In May, the sloops Babr, Palang and the smaller sloops Simurgh,
Karkas and Shahrukh assembled at Bushire and steamed to Kharg Island, where
they practised naval manoeuvres and gunnery.
(2) Establishment of Naval Posts.
530. In May, the Palang visited Hen jam and Basidu and established small
naval posts of a petty officer and twelve men at each of these places.
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