"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية: العمليات في بلاد فارس ١٩١٤-١٩١٩" [ظ‎‎١‎٨‎٨] (٥٦٦/٣٨١)

328
OPERATIONS IN PERSIA
Action of Accordingly, early on the 16th June, Colonel Orton, leaving
Ahmadabad; a small garrison to hold the defensive perimeter, moved out
16th June the g re ater part of the Indian troops and a few of the
I9 Map fo 6 ) South Persia Rifles. His intention was to hold the enemy along
the Masjid-i-Bardi-Bagh-i-Janat line, while he moved with the
bulk of his force on Ahmadabad—where the Kazerunis were
strongest and secured a footing on the low hills to the south
of it. He would then advance north-westward towards Chenar-i-
Rahdar and, after inflicting as many casualties on the tribesmen
as seemed necessary, he would return to Shiraz.
For the holding force under Lieutenant-Colonel G. R,
Vanrenen (16th Rajputs), which was to take up a position
immediately west of Afifabad, Colonel Orton detailed one troop
15th Lancers, one section 36th Mountain Battery and a
company and machine gun section of the 16th Rajputs, to
guard his left flank, he sent a platoon 3/124th Baluchis and a
squadron and machine gun section South Persia Rifles cavalry,
under Major C. Chapman, to observe some low hills which lie
about three miles to the south ] and he detailed one troop 15th
Lancers and one company 3/124th Baluchis for the occupation
of various tactical points within three miles of the city. This
left him with one troop 15th Lancers, three squadrons Burma
Mounted Rifles, 36th Mountain Battery (less one section) and
the 3/124th Baluchis (less 1J companies), i.e., a total of about
25 sabres, 4 guns and 750 rifles, for the main attack.
To divert the enemy’s attention from the Ahmadabad
direction, a South Persia Rifles field gun (manned by British
instructors) started the operations by firing a few rounds from
the defensive perimeter into the gardens round Masjid-i-Bardi
at about 5 a.m., just as Colonel Orton’s troops were starting on
their way to their respective destinations. By 7.15 a.m. Lieu
tenant-Colonel Dyer, with his Burma Mounted Rifles, after slig t
opposition had secured a low ridge about a mile to the sout •
east of Ahmadabad, and the main body had reached tna
place. A company of the Baluchis was then sent forwar ,
supported by the guns and by enfilade fire by the Burma
Mounted Rifles, to take Mottled Hill ,* a task which they carrie
out with such dash that the Kazerunis fled headlong be ore
them. At 8.30 a.m. another Baluchi company was ^
supported by the guns and by enfilade fire from Mottled >
to take Brown Hill. This operation also was well carne o
and caused the enemy considerable casualties. Large ene y
mounted reinforcements then appeared, having come from