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File 299/1918 Pt 2 'Persia - policy; Shiraz situation; Bushire operations' [‎33r] (71/605)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (297 folios). It was created in 29 May 1918-15 Apr 1920. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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squadron of cavalry, one section mount*, u av illery and about 400 rifles, should
converge on locality now harbouring rebel Khans, who, if not captured or surrendered,
would at any rate be expelled, together with more important supporters, new loyal
headmen being appointed in all principal villages.
‘ First two columns would advance from north, and would be furnished by South
Persia Rifles, and would concentrate at Jirreh and Farrashband respectively on
13th February (an earlier date would hardly be possible as even that (corrupt group)
necessitate troops from Shiraz started on 31st January). Third column would
advance from South and would concentrate at Ahram on 13th February. It would
have to be furnished by Bushire force, South Persia hides not having sufficient men.
It was agreed operations could not be successfully carried out without three columns,
so 1 trust Government will be pleased to sanction this, as no extra administrative staff
required, and not much extra expense involved. It is hoped operations will be
concluded within (? six) weeks from date of concentration, so as to permit withdrawal
of force by 1st April.” General Officer Commanding’s telegram referred to suggests
following plan of action :—“South Persia Rifles to furnish two sections artillery, two
squadrons, 600 rifles, supplying two columns.
‘A’ Column of South Persia Rifles, principal -object - 1 concentrat wg^at Jirreh;
‘ B ’ Column of South Persia Rifles, Farrashband on 13th February.
“Bushire force furnishes:—‘ 0 Column, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Hunter,
117th Mahrattas, consisting of one section, 36lh Mountain Battery; 600, 117th
Mahrattas, to concentrate at Auram on 1.3th February. Forward movement
15 th February :—‘ A ’ Column to line Deh-Rud-Bushkan, exclusive; ‘ B ’ Column,
Bushkan, inclusive Chiniz ; ‘ C ’ Column to line Khaviz-Ashi-Taleh. Squadron 15th
Lancers from Bushire to line Sana-Mund, river Shumbeh. The object is to occupy
locality favourable to rebellious Khans, and place our own headmen in hostile
villages.”
We have throughout been opposed to further operations in Bushire-Shiraz area,
and now that detailed proposals are before us, our misgivings are confirmed for the
following reasons :—
(1) There is no assured prospect of capturing rebel Khans (see Trevor’s
telegram 1555 (R.) of 21st Hecember 1919, especially (corrupt group)
extraordinary rugged and broken nature of the country).
. ( 2 ) Greater expense and more extended use of troops are involved than we
approve (corrupt group) (see ray telegram 1577 S. of 21st November
1919).
(3) We profoundly distrust policy of installing new loyal headmen in hostile
villages in view of fact that our troops will certainly be withdrawn at
beginning of the spring (corrupt group) (? and therefore) will be unable
thereafter to operate in hostile country. Experience has already proved
doubtful success of this policy, and if operations did not succeed in
capturing rebel Khans, and we then withdrew, situation would be worse
than before.' For Khans would be embittered in their hostility and thev
would certainly return and retaliate on our nominees who would be
helpless without support of our troops. We might then be called upon to
retain our troops still longer for (corrupt group) our prestige.
We therefore do ngt recommend proposed operations, but would be prepared to
sanction aerial bombardment proposed by Trevor (vide his telegram quoted above),
if Cox recommends this. Recent reports have (? stated) no serious activity on part of
Khans.
Postscript.— Since drafting this telegram we have received telegram from Cox
intimating his general support of Burdiire’s operation proposals, but we regret we are
unable to modify views.

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Content

The volume comprises telegrams, correspondence, memoranda, and notes relating to policy on the political and military situation in Shiraz, and Bushire military operations in the period 1918-1920.

Topics discussed in the volume include:

  • Situation at Shiraz as recorded in the telegrams
  • Situation in the Bushire hinterland
  • The authorisation for the commencement of the advance from Bushire
  • Proposed advance from Bushire: Persian Government's instructions to the governments of Gulf ports
  • Bushire-Shiraz operations and the question of withdrawal and evacuation
  • The Bushire-Shiraz road and the proposed further operations by the South Persia Rifles against the rebel khans, and the question of aerial bombardment.

Included in the volume is a map of Bushire and its hinterland (folio 30).

The principal correspondents in the volume are: the Viceroy; Inspector-General, South Persia Rifles; and HBM Minister, Tehran.

The volume includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 volume (297 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

The subject 299 (Situation in South Persia) consists of five volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/727-731. The volumes are divided into five parts with each part comprising one volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 299; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 299/1918 Pt 2 'Persia - policy; Shiraz situation; Bushire operations' [‎33r] (71/605), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/728, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100087724670.0x000048> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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