Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎256v] (512/807)

2
(') Not printed.
I he spectators, who included all provincial general officers commanding,
viewed the operations from several convenient hillocks close to the main road
and did not require to he mounted. His Imperial Majesty reviewed the troops
before leaving and appeared satisfied with what he had seen.
It was noted that no blank ammunition was used and no bayonets carried.
Both sides were allotted a squadron of aircraft each, but little notice was taken Jp
by either side of aircraft. A (red) tank attack was supported by bombing
aircraft. I lie taking of aerial photographs and message-dropping was also
practised. The supply organisation appeared to work well, but as there was
not much movement it cannot be said that much experience was gained.
The manoeuvres terminated rather earlier than anticipated, which naturally
ga\e rise to many rumours. One is that the Soviet Ambassador, acting on
instructions from Moscow, asked for an explanation of why this year the
manoeuvres were held so unusually distant from Tehran and why the scheme
consisted mainly of the defensive against an enemy coming from the north. It is
hoped to give further details in the next summary.
(ii) Gurgan district has been declared a military area. It is now extremely
difficult for Europeans and also Iranians to obtain permits to enter this zone.
(ni) A new regiment of artillery (number at present unknown) has been
formed of the sixteen 150-mm. (5-9-in.) guns recently delivered from Germany.
4. German Interests.
(i) The German seamen of all the five interned Hansa Line steamers have
now returned from their rest camps near Tehran.
(ii) Two different sources report that a Qaiar Prince, said to be Mohammed
Hassan Mirza (Military Attache’s Personalities, No. 224, and Foreign Office
Personalities, iSo. 164). is in Berlin, where he is gathering followers.
(hi) On the 7th September the German Military Attache, Major von Geldern
Crespendqrff, left for Berlin to attend a conference of military attaches. He was
accompanied by his sister. Fraulein Frika von Geldern Crespendorff. who may not
return as she has resigned all her appointments in the Brown House.
( 1V ) It 18 reported in German circles that the former German Minister in
lehran, Dr. Smend, is now in a German concentration camp Dr Grobba the
former German Minister in Bagdad, is also in disgrace.
5. Italian Interests.
Italian seamen have now' all returned to their ships from Tehran.
The Iranian naval director at Bandar Shahpur is not impressed with the
movement of strength through Joy ” as he is in constant and daily attendance
on all who have returned. Several Somali seamen are causing trouble and
strenuous efforts are being made to repatriate them. The master of steamship
Bronte, who is an ex-nayal officer, has been given telegraphic instructions to take
on board as much oil as he could obtain. The steamship Bronte is a tanker navy
grey m colour. Lnusual quantities of water have recently been pumped on board
and about 80 tons of oil. ^ r r
6 . Czechoslovak Interests.
A note on the Czechs in Iran is given as appendix (A)(') to this summary.
7. Danish Interests.
M. O. Konstantin-Hansen of the Fish Canning Factory An East India Company trading post. , Band
left Denmark at the end of July, has been interviewed by His Ma
Kerman. As several of M. Hansen’s statements are interesting t
m appendix (B)(’) to this summary.
8 . Soviet Interests.
(i) It is stated on reliable authority that the Soviet insist on the Germans
paying railway fares and freight charges in United States dollars.
(n) 1 he Turkish military attache believes that the Soviet are once again
concentrating troops in the Caucasus. &
(iii) Iranian employees of the Iran-Soviet Caspian Sea Fisheries Board are
gradually being replaced by Soviet nationals.
ar Abbas, who
jesty’s Consul,
hey are shown