File 3443/1914 Pt 3 'German War: Afghanistan and Persia; German agents; British troops in East Persia' [‎139r] (288/345)

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Dated 30th November 1915. —To-day we forced the enemy to fight,
our casualties were only about 100 killed and 100 wounded. We took
300 prisoners and captured three barges and a boat laden with guns and
ammunition, also two gun-boats named “Comet” and “Gloss” (? Bloss)
containing 17 guns, the latter will be fit for service after repairs have been
effected, it has been sent to Baghdad for repair and re-named “ Salman Pak ”.
The English made a stand between Kut and Bafileh, they fired 120 shells but
little damage resulted.
Dated 1st December 1915 .—We have taken Bafileh and captured a small
boat named Alsaven (?) and an iron barge containing 250 tons of coal,
ammunition and provisions, also some prisoners amounting to 8 officers and more
than 120 men. The material captured is valued at more than £100,000.
Eight of the prisoners were Turkish subjects and were shot.
Dated 2nd December 1915 .—On 30th November the English retreated to
Kut. We captured much material including a wireless installation with the
officer in charge of it and five aeroplanes. The English Cavalry Commandant
was killed and the Commander-in-Chief has gone to Basrah.
“ The venerable priest Haji Ali Agha had donned a soldier’s uniform and
drills with the Nationalist recruits in the drill hall which has been established
in the Masjed-i-No.”
A telegram to the Shah states that the people of Shiraz have heard with
indignation that he has made a compact with the English and Russians and
intends to act contrary to the interests of his subjects and his fellow-religionists
the Turks. If this is true they will be compelled to disown him and they
intend to fight in the sacred cause of Islam.
Enclo. No. 2 to Serial No. 53.
Telegram B., No. 309, dated the 3lst December 1915 (received 1st January 1916).
From—His Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To—Major Trevoe, Bushire.
Your 772-C., 29th December 1915.
Persian Government has received information that Qawam is being
worsted. They have no details but believe he has been forced to quit the town.
Have you any confirmation ?
Enclo. No. 3 to Serial No. 53.
Telegram R., No. 3-8, dated the 2nd January 1916.
From—Major Trevor, Bushire,
To—His Majesty’s Minister, Tehran.
(Repeated Basrah departmentally and copy (by post) to India.)
My information up to yesterday morning was as stated in my 1-1. But
last nio’ht Darya Begi got a message from his man at Borasjun, for which he
says he 5 cannot vouch, to effect that Qawam had been compelled to leave Town
owing to bombardment by Gendarmerie guns. Apparently Mosques referred
to in m y telegram 1-1 are near Qawam s Headquarters.
Darya Begi thinks Qawam’s men will hang about outside Shiraz and harass
the Gendarmerie.
Addressed Tehran, repeated Basrah departmentally and copy (by post) to
India.
Enclo. No. 4 to Serial No. 53.
Telegram R., No. 1, dated the 3rd (received 4th) January 1916.
From—His Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To—’Major Trevor, Bushire.
Your telegram 3-8.
Persian Government’s information confirms Darya Begi s.
S. G. P. L, Delhi— No. 858 F. D —19-1-16-6.