'Despatch by Brigadier-General Sir P. M. Sykes, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Inspector-General, South Persia Rifles and Commanding British Mission Escort in Persia on Minor Operations in Southern Persia. From 7th November 1917 to 31st March 1918' [‎7v] (14/40)

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IS Adi.
The hospital is well equipped and organized. The good work of the senior
Medical Officer, Major Hance, has already been brought to the notice of Army
Head-Quarters, India. Venereal disease is unfortunately still rampant, and com
petent authorities consider that 80 per cent, of the total population of Kirman is
diseased. Every effort is being made to reduce the prevalence of venereal disease
in the Kirman Brigade.
18. At Kirman, Chief Genstaff telegram No. 17203 of 4th March 1918 was
received, which pointed to the probability of Indian reinforcements being sent to
Bandar Abbas in the near future. It was known that until the next harvest (July) no
supplies would be available from the adjacent districts, owing to the failure of the
harvest of 1917. It was also known that the collection of transport and some sup
plies for the echelons of Indian troops along this route in March 1917 had taken
three months. Anticipating orders from Delhi, confidential instructions were
accordingly issued at once to Kirman Brigade and Bandar Abbas Area to commence
collecting transport, and forming dumps on their respective sections of the road.
Kirman Brigade’s task was a specially difficult one, and but for the able assistance
of Mr. Wetli, the Supply Agent to kirman Brigade, the sections between Gakum
and Katru could not have been stocked in time for the passage of the Indian reih-
forcements from Bandar Abbas. Mr. Wetli undertook to have the supply! dumps
formed in six weeks from 10th March, i.e., by the end of April 1918.
19. In order to be in a position to move a column of all arms at short notice
against the robber tribes lying west of the Kavir, or salt swamp, the artillery and
machine gun squadron received orders to move from Kirman to Saidabad in the near
future. Kirman itself and neighbourhood is quiet. The maintenance, therefore, of a
large South Persia Rifles garrison at Kirman, now that the brigade has been
raised and trained, can no longer be justified. The area of the Kirman Brigade
has, accordingly, been extended considerably to the west, thus relieving the Ears
Brigade cf the protection of line of communications south and east of Niriz.
Saidabad with a South Persia Rifles garrison of one squadron cavalry, 1 battery
mountain artillery, an infantry battalion and a machine gun squadron, becomes
an important strafcegetic point. It is the focus of several trade routes. The Brigade
commander and his staff officer will, in future, spend a considerable part of the
year at Saidabad, and thus get in closer touch with the robber tribes. Kirman,
although the capital, is merely a pleasant backwater from the military point of
view.
*20. A visit was paid to Bam, Narmashir, from Kirman and arrangements werQ
made with Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Mujulal, the Deputy Governor of Bam, for the South Persia
Rifles to raise the Baluch Levy Camel Corps referred to on page 44 of Colonel
Orton’s scheme of organization for the South Persia Rifles. The local authorities
are anxious for the protection of the South Persia Rifles, and this force will serve as
a link between the South Persia Rifles and the Indian troops at Dehani Baghi.
Lieutenant-Colonel Farran and Mr. Skrine, His Majesty’s Consul at Kirman
motored on from Bam to Dehani Baghi to report more especially on the water
supply. The result of this reconnaissance has been telegraphed to the Chief of the
General Staff.
21 . During the Inspector-General’s stay at Kirman a very successful military
display was given by the brigade. This took the form of an attack on a mud fort
constructed for the purpose. The guns shelled the towers and the machine guns
opened fire from a flank, while the infantry were moving up to the assault. Finally
the cavalry were brought up at a gallop. They charged and took up the pursuit of
an imaginary enemy fleeing from the fort.
22. Physical training receives especial attention in the Kirman Brigade
Classes representative of each unit are held in the large central gvmnasium whirh
was originally the dining hall in the time of the Swedes.
A good display of horsemanship and vaulting was given by the 1st Cavalry
and sports, including several military events, were held during the Inspector-
General’s visit. 1
23. Kirman was left by motor on 11th March, and Shiraz was reached on 18
March. Owing to heavy ram a detour of 75 miles had to be made round the nor
end of the Saidabad Kavir. Here a band of 18 robbers from Chah Haq w
t