Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎287v] (574/807)

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(vii) The aerodrome at Isfahan was used for the first time for the annual
military parade on the 22nd February. Formerly the parade was always held on
the ground east of the barracks.
(viii) An army order has recently been circulated that no officer will use his
batman as a chauffeur. So far little difference has been noticed.
3. Iranian A ir Force.
(i) A large quantity of building material for the hangars of the new air
bombing regiment at Doshantappeh has recently been delivered from England.
. The contractors are Messrs. Boulton and Paul.
(ii) It is reported that one Iranian air force warrant officer, named
Naimzadeh, escaped to Russia (Askhabad) in a new Hind aircraft (Mercury
engine) on the day of the review (the 22 nd February) prior to the fly-past. The
pilot in question has a Russian mother. Arrangements are being made for the
aircraft to be handed back.
4. British Interests.
(i) Three of the British aircraft personnel of the Doshantappeh aircraft
factory An East India Company trading post. have received one month’s notice of termination of employment—a
draughtsman, an inspector and a toolmaker. The contracts under which they
are serving are not with the individuals, but with the British companies
concerned, and, moreover, they contain no provision for termination except for
misconduct. The three men are therefore refusing to accept the notice.
(ii) The reports about the export of wheat are very confusing. One good
source says that none has gone out for six months, and the Iranian Consul-
General in India stated orally that wheat was being exported until seven months
ago, whereas the Ministry for Foreign Affairs maintain that none has gone out
for three years, and produce decisions and orders calculated to show that the
export of wheat has been prohibited throughout that period. On the whole the
evidence goes to show that any quantities which were going out recently were not
large. His Majesty’s Minister has recommended that the balance of the first
30,000 tons should be released on grounds of general policy, and that future
applications from the Imperial Government should be considered in conjunction
with our desire to buy from the Imperial Government wool, &c., which we want
to deny to the enemy.
5. U.S.S.R. Interests.
On the 23rd February the Soviet Military Attache invited all the foreign
military attaches and officers, and their wives, of the Imperial Iranian army and
air force to a tea-party in the Soviet Embassy in commemoration of the
anniversary of the Red army. This is the first time that this has been celebrated.
Many Iranian officers were present. Neither the British nor the French Military
Attache was present.
6 . Communications.
Yezd-Shiraz .—According to the press, a new and shorter road is being
constructed between Yezd and Shiraz, shortening the distance by about 81 kilom.
The new road branches off the present road at Deh-i-Shir (degree sheet 17.E.B.3),
and passes through Dehrishk (degree sheet 17.E.D.2), Damak-Aliabad-Faizabad-
Taft to Yezd. The new road passes close to the Dehbala district, the hill station
of Yezd.
7. Census.
(i) The result of the census of Kerman, up to a radius of 6 kilom., carried
out on the 20th February, is as follows : —
Men ...
Women
Families
llfm } Total 50 ' 048
12^000 "
(ii) The result of the census of Yezd, up to a radius of 6 kilom., carried out
on the 28th February, is as follows :—
Men ...
Women
Families
28 822 } Total 60 ’ 066
14,518