'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' [‎15v] (30/40)

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28
Copy of a report No. 243-L., dated the 5th March 1918, from the Commandant, Abadeh,
to the Officer Commanding, Fars Brigade.
I have the honour to report as follows as regards certain operations against
robbers undertaken by the troops of this garrison between the dates of 24th and
28th February 1918.
I had received between the 18th and 22nd February Several reports as ta
robbers in the vicinity of Yezd-i-Khast, most of which contradicted each other.
Vague reports were received of four separate bands reported to be Boir Ahmadis,^
Sarhaddis, Nafaris. Vhe estimated strength of bands varied form 80 to 200 .
Naib Safadar Khan who commands the posts north of Abadeh, who was in here at
the time that the reports were received, considered that it was quite impossible
that the Boir Ahmadis should have come across yet owing to the snow on the passes.
Keports all agreed that the bands had crossed the Isfahan road and proceeded
towards Yezd.
On the 22 nd (afternoon) a report was received that there was a party of men in
the vicinity of Yezd-i-Khast who had so far not interfered with caravans or flocks.-
Northward bound caravans had been stopped at Yezd-i-Khast and Shulgistan and
were waiting for orders.
On the same day a report was received from a traveller from Isfahan that a
party of Boir Ahmadis under Bakhtiari influence intended to make an attempt to get
a caravan of Ziegler's which was then halted at Yezd-i-Khast.
I had had a report on the 16th that the Boir Ahmadis were preparing a raid on
the Isfahan road, but I was assured by all the local expert opinion that the Bom
Ahmadi could not come down yet owing to the snow.
However, I decided to send out a column under Captain Duggan to cleat up
the road as far as Aminabad. 1
1 his column, consisting of 1 troop, 3rd Cavalry, and 1 (“ C ”) Companv 3rcT-
Infantry, started on the 23rd. r'. J’ ^
i i °fi uf 2 Y ’ a , b ,° Ut 2 P ' 1 r 1 ec, -' iml a re P° rt from Captain Duggan that he had
had a fight with robbers near \ ezd-i-Khast and had lost some men, rifles and horses,
is report is attached Considering the information as to the number of the
robbers and the way they fought, I thought there might be some truth in the
rumours that a serious attempt was to be made to hold up the road and capture the
Ziegler caravan and I hoped that, elated by their temporary success in holding off
Captain Duggan s men the robbers might be tempted to stay I was very anxmus
to recover the lost rifles and horses, so decided to take out a sufficients strong
orce to surround the robbers or at least cut off their retreat. The available cavahv
Salta's SEfsar —»^—-»- £
collect, I decided to start on the followL dYv^to to “" n 7 . u ’ d ta ke some time to
Khast and arrive there after dark in theViall’ hoot throu ^ t( !
become known. I therefore sent out a TssLe toV,t m ?, amVal ml g ht no{
publish abroad that he was going back to Ahadef , „ i / ptal , n H ”"' 111 to him to
tions for doing so. g 8 Abadeh> and to make alt outward prepara-
ed the 2 ° th and -nsist-
E; 70 ^
numb^Yf ToYbmfhold^feaYlr mS^ 7V V 8 received of a Ia ^
believe this report. At 6 4 the catl^VT^ ^ 1 didnot
there at 10-30 p.m. The infantry left Shuleistui 7 ezd l '^ ka st and arrived
at 2-30 A.M., having marched 40 miles in To hours 3V ^ reaclled Yezd-i-Khast
ancs as the last half of the march was done amiinst » h 1 u a T ei T fine Perform-
on very heavy going. They arrived very tired' atd the T7 d driving S ‘ eet a ' ld
y nreu, and the lack of rations, especially