Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎10v] (20/807)

equipment. Such equipment as guns, bombs, wireless gear, navigation and nig -
flying lamps are said to be in store. The gun-rings and bomb releases aie rus
up. There are no spare air frames and only one spare engine, rso spaie pai s
are available for minor repairs; it is understood that these are being despatcne
from Tehran. , , ,
The aerodrome is spacious and level. It would be excellent it it could De
used all the year round. Rain, however, makes it soft and unreliable. Ike
hangars are in good condition, but contain no equipment or workshops. I wo
buildings are in the course of erection, one to be used as a store; the purpose or
the other is unknown. j on-
The machines, with the exception of one trip to Tehran, Isfahan and bhiraz
to inspect aerodromes for air mail purposes, have been used for local flights only.
The foregoing report deals with Hawker machines only.
4. Communication*.
Bridges. —(i) A report from Ahwaz states it is rumoured that the pillars of
the new bridge are slightly affected by cracks. Although the bridge is not yet
officially opened for traffic, cars and lorries pass on it.
(iij The Dizful bridge is nearing completion, but the Iranian Government
refuse to take the bridge over from the contractors (Santab Company) because it
will be completed ahead of contract by about two months.
Railways. —Reference Intelligence Summary No. 2 (current), paragraph 1(b).
The northern section of the Trans-Iranian Railway having reached the capital,
the inauguration of this section (Tehran—Bander bhah) took place at the Tehran
railway station on the 18th February in the presence of His Imperial Majesty the
Shah and a large gathering. The town was bedecked with flags in celebration of
the occasion.
5. A ssassina tion.
On or about the 10th February, a lieutenant named Asadullah Shahbazi.
having been sentenced by a military court to two years impi isonment, drew a
revolver and shot the president of the military court, Colonel KhaTatbari, dead.
He then fled, and tried to kill himself in the same way. He only succeeded in
wounding himself, and is expected to recover.
6. Obituary.
(i) Haji Sheikh Abdul Karim of Qum. one of the leading mullas, and a great
supporter of the Government in their schemes of progress.
(ii) Mehdi Ala (Ala-us-Saltaneh), a former Minister m London and elder
brother of Hussein Ala (P. in I.. No. 9), who has recently held that post.
A. C. TROTT,
(Acting for military attache).
Tehran. February 27. 1937.