File 3443/1914 Pt 3 'German War: Afghanistan and Persia; German agents; British troops in East Persia' [‎85v] (181/345)

2
In January there were no other Europeans in Kerman but Bohnstorff had
gone to meet an Austrian reinforcement of unknown strength at Yezd.
Consul Wassmuss with Doctor Lenders formed expedition No. ShutWinckel-
mann does not know where they are. After the battle of Nasiriyah a large
number of German officers belonging to the Turkish Army had left the Turkish *
force and returned to Baghdad forming a 4th party, which afterwards made its
way to the Biver Karun. Many German civilians together with 20 German
officers at the least formed this 4th. expedition hut Captain Hoffmann, Bauer,
Dr. Schach, a civilian Stern and Lieutenant Suthschenkfrhauck as the only
members remembered by Winckelmann.
At Hamadan and Kungavar the Russians met a large number of officers
with the 5th party which was intended to enter Azerbaijan province under
Consul Schunemann.
In addition to above-mentioned Germans Count Kanitz Ehren Sommers*
Doctors Sillberg and Becher with Prince Henry of ileuses and Herr von
'Wutsrowtiewend are in Persia, possibly Becher is in Kerman.
C —One Indian was with Winckelmann’s party and he had seen 2 Indians
at Kerman at the Consulate but he does not know the names of any Indian.
Captured Indian soldiers who had been set free also some civilians, so lie
had been told, had joined in large numbers the different expeditions.
D. —Winckelmann before departing from Berlin was ordered to proceed
to Constantinople and report at the embassy. Together with other officers he had
been put at the disposal of the Turkish General Staff and Colonel Rauf Bey
who had and (an ?) independent command had given him (Winckelmann)
his orders. To lead his troops to Afghanistan had been Rauf Bey’s intention.
Winckelmann’s business had been the training of troops at Aleppo. At
Baghdad the German officers quarrelled with Rauf Bey and parted from him
but apparently got no more orders from Berlin.
E. —Prom Constantinople to Aleppo the Germans took a large number
of boxes of gold wffiich were later given to the German Consul at Baghdad.
Eight boxes of gold had been taken to Kermanshah by Winckelmann. The
financing of these expeditions was carried out by buying bills in Baghdad and
cashing them at the places they were drawn on.
F. —It is not known to Winckelmann whether the Persian Government
are helping his countrymen in Persia, but German relations with Persian officials
have always been amicable and Germans were always met with demonstrations
of joy.
G. —Winckelmann had heard that guns were being brought but had seen
neither machine nor any other type of gun.
In August last a wireless set had been taken to Kabul by Paschen while
another set was destined for Herat; Ispahan has a station and Kerman a receiv
ing one but latter is now at Khabis.
Replies to the other questions will be sent later.
147
{Received with Army Department memorandum No- E.-984, dated the 7th
February 1916.)
{Copy.)
Telegram P., No. S.-45L dated the 4th February 1916.
From—The Officer Commanding, Sistan,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Delhi,
Your 36849 of 31st January.
Owing to rain having fallen it is now possible for strong parties to cross
the Lut from Khabis by many routes. The road would not necessarily be
blocked by a force at Neh. Unless I receive early information from Khabis