‘M.T. Routes in Persia. Volume 1 – Main Routes. 1942’ [‎121r] (246/498)

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Route VII.—Section A.— contd.
3. Character of Adjacent Country—In this section the road
traverses some of the most inhospitable and barren country in the
whole of Persia or possibly the whole of Asia Most of it is
desert except when for the last 15 miles into YEZD, it consists of
gently undulating gravel plateau and is not commanded at any
point. Operations off the road are possible for all arms through
out the section. Concealment from the air is totally lacking.
4. Climatic effects. The average annual rainfall is very
small After exceptionally heavy thunderstorms (which usually
occur in the spring and early summer) spates may be encountered
but seldom impede traffic for more than a few hours. Snow does
not block this road. The heat in summer at mid-day is
intolerable and in winter the clod is severe. In either
seasons the utter lack of cover, vegetation and habitation
renders this route a very trying one for infantry to use. Its
passage by M T. on the other hand, which can traverse quickly
the waterless stretches and pass in a day’s run from town to
town, presents no insurmountable difficulty.
*5. Exceptional Features. —Nil.
6. Repair Facilities.—Gravel is available throughout. No
steam rollers exist. Traffic is so infrequent that the Persian
Government, it is estimated, employs, at the most a man per 5 miles
on maintenance duties.
7. Suoply facilities. —(i) Camping ground. —Suitable sites
are unlimited.
(ii) Water. —As always in East and Central Persia, this is
the crux of the problem. The present road has been aligned
with a view to (a) directness and (b) freedom from inundation.
It keeps to the high ground and water is scarce and brackish.
The old caravan route (Routes in Persia Volume III, No. 20)
lying from 5-15 miles to the north is better supplied though the
water there too is mostly brackish.
(iii) Supplies.-KERMAN, RAFSINJAN (RAHRAM-
ABAD) and YEZD are the only towns w ence suppl es can be
obtained in large quantities. At no other place could supplies
for more than half a battalion for a day be reckoned on.
j Fuel, fodder and grazing are practically unobtain-
(vi) i abl -
(vii) Petrol and oil—Are obtainable in large quantities at
KERMAN and YEZD, in small quantities at RAFSINJAN and
unobtainable elsewhere.
(viii) Repair facilities —Garages, blacksmiths, and the
vendors of those spare parts most commonly in demand for
American lorries and cars, exist in KERMAN and YEZD but at
no other p.ace.
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