Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎111v] (222/807)

(ii) It is reported from a reliable source that the Divisional Signals has been
reorganised. Each division has two signal companies which form part of the
Engineer Battalion. They are organised as follows :—
No. 1 Signal (Construction) Company, consisting of Four Sections.
No. 1 Section (Construction). —Equipped with field telephone cable on hand
drums.
No. 2 Section (Construction). —Equipped with field telephone cable on hand
drums.
No. 3 Section (Construction). —Equipped with cable-laying horsed vehicles.
No. 4 Section (Communications). —Equipped with sixty sets of field
telephones.
No. 2 Company (Communications), consisting of Four Sections.
No. 1 Section (Visual). —Equipped with flags, helios and lamps (electric).
No. 2 Section (Visual). —Equipped with flags, helios and lamps (electric).
No. 3 Section (Wireless ).—Equipped with sixteen wireless telegraph sets,
both sending and receiving.
No. 4 Section (Wireless). —Equipped with sixteen wireless telegraph sets,
both sending and receiving.
(iii) The courses at the officers’ school in Tehran have been reorganised.
There are now two courses, one of three years’ duration and the other of six years.
Students are volunteers, and must be between the ages of 17-22. Students of the
three years’ course are accommodated, fed and clothed free and receive 60 rials
(15s.) per month pocket money. Students of the six-year course receive 120 rials
(£1 10 s.). On the successful completion of these courses they are commissioned
third and second lieutenants respectively.
(iv) Messrs. Bofors of Sweden have brought out two of their latest pattern
anti-aircraft guns, 40 mm. It is reported that their experts will demonstrate
these guns to the Army Purchasing Committee within a few days.
6 . Security.
From three different consular reports it is stated that plain-clothes detectives
of the Criminal Investigation Department are now stationed at the post boxes of
certain towns (Tabriz, Isfahan and Zahidan) to examine the addresses on all
letters posted. The receipt of anonymous letters addressed to His Imperial
Majesty the Shah is said to be reason for this procedure.
7. Tribal.
Qashqai and Kuhgalu .—A consular report states that during August, as a
result of spasmodic acts of banditry, it was decided to despatch two small punitive
columns (strength about two regiments of cavalry and a battalion of infantry
each) from Shiraz and Ahwaz respectively into the difficult mountainous country
in the Shulistan area (million sheet No.' 10 , square D 2 ). This area has been
difficult to control for some years.
The Shiraz column left Shiraz by night and advanced along the Shiraz-
Ardakan (million sheet No. 10 , square D 2)-Tal-i-Khosrovi (Diz-i-Khurd) road.
The southern column advanced by Behbehan (million sheet No. 10 , square C 2 ) by
a new military road, passing through Diz Mardan (million sheet No. 10 ,
square C 2 ) to Tal-i-Khosrovi. The tribesmen were completely surprised and the
majority of the bandits were captured.
This small expedition, although unimportant, proves the efficiency of the new
military road systems which have been gradually built up within the past three
years in tribal territory. The roads are only fit for light motor traffic in good
weather, and are reserved entirely for troops.
Both last year and this year the plan carried out was to trap the tribesmen
between a northern and southern force, and for the second time it was completely
successful. The operations were also carried out with great secrecy and efficiency.
It has been decided to establish a small garrison permanently at
Tal-i-Khosrovi, and barracks are already being constructed there. For this, too,
workmen were secretly drafted in from Isfahan, and not from Shiraz.