Coll 28/39(2) ‘Persia. Printed Correspondence, 1937–’ [‎117v] (234/320)

~4
28
.There were also troops mounted on local bred chest-nuts and blacks.
The greys were a mixture of Arab and locally bred ponies.
The greys were indifferently turned out, many showing stable stains
which are evidence of faulty grooming. No attempt appears to be made
either to pull or trim tails.
The troop horses are never clipped during the winter. This may be
sound from the practical point of view but when they are badly groomed
they look untidy. Heels had not been trimmed and there was no evidence
of feet having been properly gone over with hoof oil before parade.
Equipment .—Saddlery still varies in type. Bridles and bits similarly
varied from light single bridles with a snaffle to heavy head stalls with
double bridles and universal bits.
It was noticed that the sabre scabbard is carried on the off-side.
Horsemanship .—The standard of riding was good. Dressing was only
fair. The rear ranks in particular were inclined to let their horses almost
tread on the heels of the front rank.
5. Engineers .—See remarks for Infantry.
6 . Independent Mechanized Brigade —
This was very smartly turned out indeed. All vehicles had been newly
painted. It was noticed that after passing point “B” all the covers over
the drivers heads on the tanks were opened to allow of free air circulation.
All the personnel wore black leatherjackets and semi-crash helmets. The
No. 1 gunner in each A. F. V. stood up in the turret and saluted when
passing the saluting base.
Two wireless cars and one light workshop car were included. No.
P. 0. L. lorries were driven past.
7. Artillery —
Gun carriages and limbers .—These had all been newly painted and
were spotless. Gun breeches had been removed in all cases.
Battery protection—AW gunners and drivers carried a slung carbine.
No light automatics were observed.
Draught horses. The Field Artillery were drawn by the heavy
Hungarian horses imported within recent years. The animals were in good
condition. The fact that they were unclipped gave one the impression of
slovenliness in grooming and care which perhaps is not the case.
Drivers .—Besides riding their own horses they also held in their right
hand reins for the off-siders. This appeared to be most uncomfortable both
tor the horse and the drivers themselves. No guiding whips were carried.
Officers. Officers were well mounted. Many junior officers commanded
batteries. There is still an obvious paucity of officers in this arm.
8 . Bands —
Besides the Boy Scout band, the following bands plaved during the
march past of their respective units :—
Band of the 1 st Infantry Division.
Band of the 2 nd Infantry Division.
Cavalry Mounted Band.
Am whe f < ; d bef 1 ore caching Point “A” and drew up in three line 9
opposite the saluting base. No counter inarching was attempted. Each
Fl?i Wa T, COmpOSed of t br ^instruments ( Trum pets, Bugles, Drums and
wl f The average strength was about 30. The march time maintained
. r indeed. The turn out of the bands was indifferent. None
ot the brass instruments were polished. The tunes played was evidently
an adaption from French and Russian military music.