Coll 28/67 ‘Persia. Annual Reports, 1932–’ [‎193r] (385/644)

(8) Conscription.
274. Conscription has been working smoothly, and the quotas forthcoming
from the various districts. After a successful effort in 1935 to extend conscription
into the remote parts of Kurdistan, further extensions to embrace the settled
Turcomans and a small section of the Qashgai tribe in and around Tul-i-Khusravi
have been made.
(9) Manoeuvres.
275. In all probability manoeuvres were arranged during 1936 for all
provincial formations as well as for the central garrison. Those actually reported,
mainly from consular sources, were as follows :—
The 6th (Khuzistan) Division in May.
The 9th (Khorasan) Division in July.
The Central Garrison in September.
The Kermanshah Independent Composite Brigade in December.
276. As usual, no descriptions of these manoeuvres appeared in the press
nor were any invitations to attend them extended to foreign military attaches
(excepting the Turkish) or to the civilian public.
277. Two Russian-speaking officers (one from the 3rd and one from the
4th Division) attended, by invitation, some manoeuvres of the Caucasian forces
of the U.S.S R.
(10) Reviews and Parades.
278. The usual review was held on the 22nd February, the anniversary of
the coup d'fitat. Sixty-eight aeroplanes, 25,000 troops (in which figure large
civilian elements consisting of boy scouts, girl guides and students are included)
5,000 animals and 80 motor vehicles were on parade. The turn out, drill and
marching were a definite improvement on last year. The usual displays were
eliminated and the parade consisted only of a review and march past.
(11) Military Operations.
279. Though there have been no operations worthy of the name, troops have
remained under field service conditions throughout the year in Baluchistan and
Kurdistan. In Baluchistan little actual fighting has taken place, and the Iranian
Government appears to be playing off one tribal leader against another. Little
has been achieved as the leaders are suspicious of the Government s sincerity
when promised a pardon.
280. A food blockade directed against the Ismailzais is reported to have
been partially successful and to have caused much distress among, and desertions
from, the tribe against whom it was directed. In Kurdistan the Government s
policy, if reported correctly, is on the whole conciliatory. They have undertaken
minor’ offensives against recalcitrant tribes and subsidised others with rifles,
raised a form of tribal levy and attempted to win over to permanent Iranian
nationality and residence the migratory tribes who move from Iran to Iraq and
vice versa. Any further considerable progress seems improbable until such time
as the conclusion of a treaty with Iraq, the demarcation of the frontier and the
inauguration of better relations will pave the way for the formulation of a definite
tribal policy advantageous to both States. A slight fracas occurred between
Iranian and Afghan soldiery on the frontier, the cause being a dispute over the
Helmand water rights. A general disarming and clearing up of Tangistan and
Dashtistan was reported to have been begun in the summer.
(12) Military Works.
281. The construction of a new fort at Khwash was reported. Work on
strategic roads has been active in South-East Iran, where construction of a load
from Zahidan to the port of Charbar via Khwash and Iranshahr is in progress.
(13) Foreign Military Missions.
282. The French military mission, which now numbers eleven, appears to
be contented and working to the satisfaction of the Ministry of War. The less
harmonious atmosphere in which the Belgian air mission works is noticed in the air