Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎258v] (516/807)

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(ii) At the recent manoeuvres seventy-eight tanks, both medium and light,
were employed. An unfortunate accident occurred at Takistan during the
unloading of a light tank from a motor lorry. A colonel G.S.O., instructor of
the Ecole superieure de Guerre (Stafi College) v^as run over, sustaining a
compound fracture of the leg. A subaltern of the Tank Battalion (Lieutenant Ali
Zulqadem) who went to his assistance smashed his right hand.
Helio' signalling was carried out by both sides. Little effort, however, was
made to conceal the signal stations.
As the manoeuvres had been rumoured to last for ten days, there was surprise
when they were brought to an abrupt conclusion by order of H.I.M. the Shah
after only two and a half days.
(iii) The following general officers were in command during the
manoeuvres : —
Sarlashgar (Major-General) Hidayat, Director.
Sartip (Brigadier) Isfandiari. G.O.C. Red Force.
Sartip (Brigadier) Jahanshahi, G.O.C. Blue Force.
(iv) Twenty-five new Demag Diesel-engined troop-carrying vehicles were
observed at the manoeuvres.
(v) Enquiries are being made in Japan for the purchase of land mines and
tanks, as well as a large quantity of dynamite.
(vi) On the 23rd September H.I.M. the Shah, accompanied by H.I.H. the
Crown Prince, were present at the Staff College (Ecole superieure de Guerre)
for the annual prize-giving ceremony. The Imperial party were received by
Sarlashgar (Major-General) Zarghami, C.G.S., who proceeded to read the annual
report of the college’s activities. The Shah then briefly addressed the graduates
and presented diplomas.
(vii) On the 24th September H.I.M. the Shah, accompanied by H.I.H. the
Crown Prince, attended the annual “promotion” or “passing-out” ceremony
of the senior term cadets at the Officers’ College. Sarlashgar (Major-General)
Yazdan Panah (Military Attache’s Personalities, No. 301, and Foreign Office
Personalities, No. 212), Commandant of the College, read the annual report, after
which the Shah addressed the newly-commissioned officers and presented special
prizes.
The number of cadets who were granted commissions is
as follows : —
Commissioned second-lieutenants—
Infantry ...
123
Cavalry ...
68
Artillery ...
52
Engineers
15
Mechanised forces
6
Commissioned as third-lieutenants—
264
Infantry ...
35
Cavalry ...
25
Artillery
25
Engineers
15
Commissioned as third-lieutenants (reserve)—
100
Infantry ...
163
Cavalry ...
100
Artillery ...
60
Engineers
40
363
After the ceremony the Shah closely inspected the new buildings of the
college and left after a visit of three and a half hours for the Imperial Palace.
A soiree was given later in the evening at the Officers’ School, at which a
comedy was played by the Cadet Officers’ Dramatic Society.