Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎128r] (255/807)

even cheaper cost. Representatives of Belgian armament firms who visited Tehran
just after the crisis in the hope of taking over Czech contracts have met with
no success.
(6) Optical instruments have recently been purchased from the Societe
fran^aise d’Optique et de Mecanique (S.O.M.) for a sum of million francs as
under :—
8 stereoscopic rangefinders (base 3 metres).
41 rangefinders (base 2 metres).
1 rangefinder (base 70 cm.).
160 panorama sights.
50 battery telescopes (double binocular).
150 altitude measuring sights.
7. The Iranian Air Force.
(1) It is reliably reported that the two Iranian test pilots now in England
have recent visited Italy. The Italians are prepared to supply twin-engine
bombing aircraft for delivery within six weeks complete with equipment, guns,
wireless, &c. Payment to be 50 per cent, in sterling or dollars and the balance
in Iranian goods. Facilities will also be given in Italy for the training of pilots
and mechanics.
(2) Reference Intelligence Summary No. 22 (current), paragraph 7 (3). The
first consignment of eighteen Hawker “ Hind ” aircraft has arrived at Ahwaz
and are being assembled in batches of five. After undergoing the usual test
formalities the machines will be handed over to the Iranian air force and flown
to Tehran.
8. Aerodromes.
A landing ground has been constructed at Dilijan (million sheet No. 9,
square C 2).
9. Italian Interests.
Capitano di Fregata Luciano Bigi, Italian naval and air attache, left
Tehran for Italy on completion of his tenure of appointment. His successor is
Capitano di Corvetta Luigi Mola.
10. Internal Security.
(1) A number of burglaries culminating in the brutal murder of a German-
born Jew, agricultural expert (nationalised Iranian) have occurred in the centre
of Tehran. The police have shown commendable speed in rounding up the
murderers. The majority of those arrested are deportees from the Soviet Union
recently arrived in Iran.
(2) The number of beggars in the streets of Tehran have greatly increased,
these, too, are largely deportees.
11. The Iranian Navy.
An unconfirmed report states that Naokhuda (Captain) Bayendor and his
brother, who is also a naval officer, will leave shortly for Italy in connexion with
proposals for the acquisition of additional fleet units.
12. The Funeral of the late Turkish President.
Reference Intelligence Summary No. 3 (current), paragraph 3. The Iranian
delegation to the funeral of Ataturk have returned to Tehran. The party
travelled via Khaniqin, Kirkuk, Tel-Kotchek to Angora and returned by the same
route. . .
As already stated, considerable prominence was given in the press to
Ataturk’s career. These articles emphasised the close paiallel between Iran and
Turkey. There was, however, an undercurrent of apprehension at the thought
of what might happen if the new Iran, like the new 1 urkey, were suddenly to
find itself without its present ruler.
[489 ff—1] B 2