'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' [‎17r] (33/40)

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On arrival m the foothills, which were very rough and in formation a series
0 gullies the robbers opened fire on us from direct front and things became very
hot indeed. We had previously split up into 3 parties and approached the sup
posed camping ground from different directions dismounted. The robbers then
appeared on all the surrounding knolls and the infantry on our left were also
engaging them, they were steadily creeping up behind stones towards us and
1 saw we could do nothing as we were, so ordered men to retire to a higher knoll
behind us. This we did and after arrival there the 35 men of “ B ” Company
turned up. The robbers then began to see the tables would be turned and made off!
In the. retirement Naib Safdar was killed. The following were also killed
No. C. F. 40 Ghuli, 3rd Cavalry.
*No. C. F. 921 Mirza Mohamad Hassan, 3rd Cavalry.
Wounded .—
*No. 31 Hassan, 3rd Cavalry.
No. C. F. 2974 Ali, 3rd Cavalry.
No. C. F. ? Ghulam Hussain, 3rd Cavalry.
Missing.—No. C. F. 3505 Vakil Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. Rahim, 3rd Cavalry.
Horses. —Killed 4, missing 6, wounded 1.
Ammunition expended —
3rd Cavalry, 405 rounds.
3rd Infantry, 472 rounds.
Lost on killed, wounded and missing, 6 carbines L. E., 1
540 rounds ammunition.
M auser carbine and
The robbers who numbered about 150 to 200 unmounted and 20 mounted are
said to be Boir Ahmadis from Mullah Kobad. They were evidently expecting us
and had themselves extremely well hidden. The horses killed and missing together
with the men marked* above who were horse-holders, were surrounded after the one
party had dismounted.
The behaviour of the men was excellent although we were ourselves nearly
surrounded and owing to false report as to numbers were taken somewhat by sur
prise. J
When I realized the strength of robbers I sent a sowar In the East India Company army and later Indian Army, an ordinary native cavalryman or mounted cavalryman. back to Yezd-i Khast
to order out all troops left behind but they did not reach us in time and as it was
getting dark it was useless our attempting anything else.
I sent out men from the village to try and ascertain where the robbers are
making for and am remaining here until I hear from you or get information to the
effect that the robbers are in a more easily attacked place. I am holding caravan
up to-morrow but if there is nothing to effect that robbers are in a more suitable
position for us to attack them will accompany the caravan to Aminabad and return.
Casualties of robbers not ascertained but it is certain 6 were killed and taken
off. I feel that had we had bayonets we might have rushed them and I think the
men would not have held back.
I cannot say enough for the way the men behaved under the circumstances
and considering the difficult ground. The robbers, too, showed great pluck.
Sergeant Battle received a very slight scratch on the shoulder due to a splinter.
Note by Captain Fraser, dated the 12th March 1918.
Since writing my report information has been received from Hanna that the
robbers passed through that village on their homeward journey, that they had 3
wounded with them and said they had 8 killed in the fight. Another 7 or 8 had
died of exposure in the snow and two-thirds of the stolen sheep had also perished.
G. M. Press, Simla.-No. C80(w)G.S.B.—18-7-18—80—E.A.