Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎285r] (569/807)

c
company had sent away its stocks to places then thought to be quite safe. Its
gold, silver and selenium were sent as far as Bordeaux. All these stocks when
captured by the Germans were considered prize of war.
7. The Gestapo are everywhere. In spite of this, Belgians listen in to the
B.B.C. and especially the Flemish broadcast. They wish it were possible to
ave more.
8. Much damage was caused to communications by the fighting in Belgium
and many bridges are still unrepaired owing to lack of material with which to
repair them. In consequence many canals are blocked and barges cannot be got
through.
9. On the 3rd December, M. Peers, with his family, travelled direct from
Brussels to Berlin (Friedrichstrasse) in 17 hours by express. This is about the
same time as in peace.
10. The Germans have seized everything they can in Belgium; all stores of
food, raw materials, oil, &c. Immediately after the occupation long lines of
twelve-wheel motor transport came in to carry off grain and other stocks. The
wheat and flour in Belgium will be exhausted by April, and the new harvest will
not be in until September. How the population are to feed themselves—and the
army of occupation—in the interval, is not known.
I hirtv-five grammes of radium were discovered at Louvain and confiscated.
11. The electric train service between Brussels and Antwerp is running
again, but passengers have to alight at Malines to cross the River Rupel where
the bridge had been blown up.
12. German soldiers in occupied territory are not allowed to move about to
other places except with special permission. Soldiers in the suburbs of Antwerp,
for instance, are not allowed into the city or port area.
13. It is strictly forbidden to read propaganda leaflets. Nevertheless,
many Belgians do so and pass them round their friends.
(B) Berlin.
1. Little damage was seen of the R.A.F. bombings.
2. After an aerial bombardment, large gangs of workmen, glaziers,
plumbers, &c., set to and repair all damage caused. If this cannot be done, then
the area is roped off and repairs are carried on. No expense is spared to keep up
the public morale.
3. The Black Bourse, both in Belgium and Berlin, is flourishing. Germans,
including high Nazi officials, try to buy United States dollars from travellers,
paying at least 20 reichsmarks per dollar willingly. M. Peers himself was
approached and was also asked to sell his clothes and typewriter.
4. The Iranian Mission in Berlin is very busy doing business in everything
they can and apparently making huge profits!
5. White bread can be obtained in Berlin and the meat ration is double that
issued in Belgium.
(C) Miscellaneous.
1. Two British airmen landed by parachute in a crowded market place near
Brussels. Their clothes were immediately torn off them and they were hurriedly
dressed in odds and ends of clothing given by the marketers, who also kept the
German police at a distance (not without casualties) until the airmen had been
hidden away.
2. Much amusement and ridicule was caused when British airmen dropped
some old bathing costumes with a note attached : “ For use when you decide to
cross the Channel.”
Supplement to Intelligence Summary No. 3.
Notes on Brigadiers and other Senior Staff Officers of the Iranian Army.
1. Isfandiari, Abbas Quli. —Born about 1897. Third son of Hassan
Isfandiari. Graduated at Saint-Cyr in France, and joined the French army
during the war; was wounded and captured by the Germans. Was a captain in
the French army and received the Legion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre.
Returned to Persia in 1919 and joined the gendarmerie with the rank of major.