File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎677r] (1001/1080)

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69. Troop movements .—The westward tendency continues with the object
of reinforcing the Caucasus. Some reduction in the Kushk garrison is reported,
troops drawn thence having been despatched both westwards and towards
^ Charjui, the latter probably to strengthen the Bokharan front.
70. Bolshevik garrisons. Khojent. —9th February. 3,400 troops mostly
Russians. The total includes 400 cavalry drawn from the 3rd Turkman Brigade
and the 6th Kazan squad ron. Infantry units are not complete but the following
are represented: 3rd Turkistan, 8th Kazan, 6th Kashiraski (?), 2nd Tashkent,
7th Chernfaev.
Two 6-gun field batteries. 2 armoured cars and 2 armoured engines, the
latter in constant readiness. The town and railway for 6 miles in each direction
are strongly defended.
Shir Muhammad is credited with 40,000 men and on the 5th February
there were strong rumours that he had surrounded Khoqand. The Sarts
constantly harass the Bolsheviks by raids on the towns, and the latter, having
lost heavily in the past by doing so, are careful not to pursue the rebels far
into the districts. It will be noted, however, that in the Bolsheviks own
accounts great stress is laid on their pursuit.
Kagan. —3th February. 3,000 troops including 250 cavalry. Troops are
mostly Russians. 1,000 at Amirabad. 1 heavy and 8 field-guns seen. 1
airplane and 2 armoured cars. 2 field batteries. (These presumably include
above guns.)
On 3rd February 2,000 troops arrived from the direction of Charjui. Half
of these were despatched to Karshi, the remainder being detained and expected
to be returned westwards. , (Presumably these troops were from Kushk.)
Rumours of sharp fighting near Guzar and Shahr-i-Sabz were prevalent
and Bolshevik troops apparently not doing too well.
The commencement of railway construction from Bokhara towards Khiva
’was reported.
Charjui. —12th February. 3,000 troops mostly Mushlmans in New Charjui
and 800 to 1,000, mostly Young Bokharans, in Old Charjui.^300 cavalry included
in the garrison practically all Turkman. 1 heavy, 6 field-guns seen. 2
airplanes, 2 armoured cars.
A munition factory An East India Company trading post. employing 4,000 hands and working day and night
has been started.
River communication with Kerki was expected to reopen shortly.
Reports of serious Turkman risings round Kerki were received and on the
6th and 8th February reinforcements received both from east and west were
despatched to Kerki by road.
Reports of fighting in Ferghana and in the Karshi area were also current.
On February 12th (when informant left) 800 troops of the local garrison were
in readiness to proceed to Kerki.
On the same date reports of risings near Samarkand were received.
Kushk. —13th February. 10,000 troops or upwards. Some 1,500 cavalry
including Jamshadis and Hazaras in this total. (It appears probable that both
this total and the number of troops despatched earlier are exaggerated.) 5 6*gun
field batteries, 3 to 4 heavy guns, 3 airplanes, 3 armoured cars. Some 5,000
troops reported to have been sent away during last 5 days of January and first
5 of February. Some had been sent to Askhabad and some eastwards.
Bolshevik and Afghan frontier officials are on more cordial terms.
The Jamshadis and Hazaras in Bolshevik service frequently raid Afghan
villages. This is w inked at as long as the men do not wear uniform.
Informant left on the 13th February on a train carrying the 12th Turkistan
Battalion for Krasnovodsk.
wm