Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎138v] (276/807)

2
Preparatory to the advance, the infantry were well extended and had utilised
available cover, excepting the officers who were standing about conspicuously.
This, however, may have been for instructional purposes as all the officers seen
were wearing greatcoat and swords.
Several light tanks were seen to be in difficulties when crossing a dry boulder-
strewn nullah. Obviously no attempt had been made to reconnoitre a route
previously.
(ii) A British civilian eye-witness at the funeral of the late Turkish President
states that the Iranian contingent did not distinguish themselves either in soldierly
bearing, turn-out or marching. Many were out of step and they kept up a con
tinual stamping during the procession. The German contingent was also very
noisy. The Russian contingent were one of the best, being well turned out and
drilled.
(iii) An Ahwaz consular report states that a special travelling commission
composed of representatives of the Ministries of the Interior, Justice, War,
Education, &c., on a recent visit to Khuzistan, have discovered that several
senior officers of the 6th Khuzistan Division were implicated in extensive
smuggling operations and corrupt dealings with the local tribes. Considerable
quantities of smuggled goods have been found in the houses of nearly all military
officers. Sarhang (Colonel) Jamshir, Divisional Chief of Staff has been arrested
and is in military custody. The General Officer Commanding Sar Lashgar
(Major-General) Muini is also under strong suspicion as he has been making
extensive purchases of land in Resht, his own district. Sar Lashgar Muini has,
however, taken energetic and apparently successful steps to discredit the findings
of the travelling commission by attributing it to enmity, jealously, &c. Never
theless, it is probable that he will be replaced in the near future.
There is no doubt that the military authorities have been bleeding the
local Arabs, so much so that the left bank of the Shatt-el-Arab has lost numbers
of its population who have fled into Iraq. This is having a marked effect on
the grain produced in the province which formerly exported its surplus wheat
and barley.
5. The Iranian Air Force.
(i) It is reliably reported that the Iranian Government has asked Messrs
Handley Page for quotations for the “Hampden” bomber. They have also
approached the Bristol Aeroplane Company (Ltd.) in connexion with the purchase
of six long-nosed “Blenheim” bombers and twenty-four Mercury VIII engines.
The Iranian Government are also obtaining tenders for the supply of bomber
aircraft and engines from other aircraft producing countries. Delivery dates
are specially asked for.
(ii) Reference Intelligence Summary No. 25 of 1938, paragraph 7 (ii).
Eighteen of the new Hind machines have already been flown from Ahwaz
and aie now at Qila Murgha Military Aerodrome where they are being tried
out. The remaining seventeen are expected to arrive during the month.
(iii) Eourteen “ Audax ” machines belonging to No. 1 Air Regiment at Qila
Murgha have been sent into the aircraft factory An East India Company trading post. at Doshantappeh for ur°’ent
overhaul, after which they are to be allotted to the new squadron which is to be
formed at Tabriz.
It is interesting to note that the flight from Ahwaz to Tehran by the “ Hind ”
machine is done in little more than two and three-quarter hours. ’
(iv) Mr. L. Knight, acting technical adviser to the Imperial Iranian Air
Force and employed at the aircraft factory An East India Company trading post. , has declined to renew his contract
when it expires on the 15th May of this year. His reasons for this step is the
state of chaos existing at the factory An East India Company trading post. as a result of the constant disregard of
his advice by the air force authorities.
6. The Majlis.
The Majlis have recently passed several important and interesting measures.
Among these is an act for the readjustment of house and shop rents. The
intention of this law is to force down the exorbitant rents imposed by landlords
and to protect tenants from being evicted in favour of anyone offering higher
rent. During the past few years there has been a decided movement fronTthe