File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎520r] (687/1080)

185.—Bolshevik Garrisons.
Askhabad. July 13th. There is nothing to add to last week’s account
except that the place has received a visit from the Commander of the “ Turk-
front ’ ’ and members of the Be volutionary Military Council of the Republic of
Turkestan. There was a review of the “ Terpolk ”, or in less abbreviated
language, the Transcaspian lerritorial Regiment, on the 13th July in the after
noon.
Merv. July 15th .—The strength of the garrison remains the same. One
report says the units have lately arrived in relief but does not classify them.
Russian Sarakhs. July 26th .—A report from an authentic source says the
garrison of Tejen is 50 men who have ’ately arrived on relief from Khiva. The
same informant says there has been a reduction of the Merv garrison lately to
1,500, new troops replacing the old. Confirmation of this is awaited from Merv.
Turkmen arriving at Russian Sarakhs from Takhta Bazar report that
1,000 troops have newly arrived there with 4 guns, 8 machine guns, and 10
motor cars. Leaving out proneness to exaggeration, these may also be reliefs,
rather than an augmentation, and confirmation is awaited from this area.
The same men say that about 3,000 troops of [all arms have passed through
Takhta Bazar to Kushk, the movement lasting three days.
The number of troops at Russian Sarakhs and its subordinate posts has been
increased slightly. From Ghanghalli post to Ak-Robat including Russian Sarakhs,
there are 850 infantry and cavalry.
Charjui. July 72^.—Garrison 1,600 including 600 mounted. In addi
tion there are now 400 sailors. Two aeroplanes and 5 armoured cars are quoted,
the latter item being difficult to believe.
Qala Kamarov. July 77$.—One hundred men. From this point the gar
rison of Kushk is put down at 5,000.
Termez. July 8th. —The report of a man who was butcher to the troops
gives the garrison as 5,000 consisting of 3 regiments, 3 battalions, and one Cavalry
brigade, namely, 2nd Frontier Amu Darya Cavalry Brigade, 1,000 strong,
distributed from Kilif to Sarai Kamar.
9th Kazan Regiment .. 10th Turkestan Regiment.
2nd Samara Regiment .. 11 th Battalion, Fortress Artillery.
16th Battalion, Sappers and Miners.
6th Pontoon Battalion.
Twelve guns, 2 armoured cars, 8 light cars. Wirelesss station. Two electric
projectors, one in the fort and the4)ther at Shurab, eight miles from Termez.
Two aeroplanes.
Guzar. July 16th. —Garrison 1,500, majority Muslims. Units, 9th New
Bokharan, 4th Aral, and 4th Semirechia Cossack battery. One hundred of each
of above regiments are mounted. The 9th New Bokharan regiment has now three-
line rifles of inferior quality.
One armoured car, 1 lorry, 1 searchlight. An aeroplane comes occasionally
from Karshi.
The Guzar reporter states there are about 2,000 troops at Shahr-i-Sabz and
1,500 at Karshi.
Bokhara July 9th and 23^.—Estimates of garrison are too discrepant to
allow of record one giving 1,000 and the other 5,000. The latter estimate states
that there are only 2000 rifles available. All accounts testify to conscription in
he former Khanate and to the presence of Usmanli officers as mtructors and
organizers, one account giving a total of 80 Russian and 20 Usmanl. officers
though doubtless thefee numbers would mclude subordinate ranks.
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