Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎314r] (627/807)

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never had been any serious intention of resisting. It is generally believed that
up to the last moment the Shah was confident that Great Britain and Russia
would not go to extreme lengths, and this optimism reflected itself in the faulty
dispositions of the army. Moreover, no A.R.P. measures had been taken in the
towns, with the result that the first hint of aerial bombardment created panic,
whioifcpread rapidly to the headquarters of military formations. These with
drew with speed and their troops disintegrated.
21 . The causes of the poor morale of the Persian troops are not hard to find :
the rank and file underfed and underpaid; senior officers corrupt; lack of training
for modern warfare and in the use of the very good weapons they possessed; and
an almost complete absence of supply arrangements. To these may be added the
conviction prevailing among certain officers that war against Great Britain and
Russia was a madness of the Shah.
22. Demoralisation quickly spread through the Persian army. The 5 th and
12th Divisions, which had been on the front of the 10 th Indian Division, and the
3rd, 4th, 11 th and 15th Divisions on the Russian front in North-West Persia
disintegrated. The 9th and 10th Divisions in Khorassan are reported to be
considerably disorganised, but the 6 th and 16th, which were engaged with the
8 th Indian Division in Khuzestan, are reported still to have units with some
cohesion.
23. The demoralisation spread to troops who had not been engaged in
operations. ^ Desertions were reported from the forces in Ears and Isfahan
provinces. The 1 st and 2nd Divisions in Tehran were little affected until the
arrival of Russian troops at Tehran. The latter occupied most of the Persian
barracks, evicting the Persian troops. Desertions then began on a large scale,
running to hundreds a night. Steps have been taken to round up these deserters
in unoccupied areas and areas occupied by British troops, but the Russian troops
will allow no armed Persians in their area, consequently no steps are there
possible.
24. If internal security is to be restored and maintained an immediate
reorganisation of the Persian forces and restoration of morale is necessary. A
smaller and less pretentious army will suit present needs. It is unlikely that
any effective steps towards reorganisation will be taken by the Persian Govern
ment until some clear indication is given of the wishes and intentions of the
British and Russian Governments.
Allied Military Operations.
25. British and Russian troops entered Persian territory on the morning
of the 25th August. The Shah ordered his troops to cease resistance on the
28th August and in the next few days the following areas were occupied :—
British troops—
10th Division : Khanakin, Kirmanshah, Hamadan, with detachments
later at Sanandaj and Sultanabad (Arak).
8 th Indian Division : Khuzestan and the main workings of the Anglo-
Iranian Oil Company.
Russian troops—
Army of the Caucasus : Tabriz, Rezaieh, Sauj Bulagh, Zinjan, Kazvin,
southern shore of Caspian Sea.
Army of Transcaspia: south-eastern shore of Caspian, Semnan,
Damghan, Meshed.
26. It has hitherto been impossible to obtain any reliable information of the
strength of Russian forces in Persia. Those in the north-west are unreliably
reported to be three Infantry Divisions, one horsed Cavalry Division, and one
Armoured Division. They are commanded by General Novikoff. In the east the
invading troops probably did not amount to a division. They were commanded
by General Schlapkin, who is now reported to have returned to Askhabad.
27. Very little resistance was met by either Russian or British troops in
their advance. Tabriz was captured by one motorised battalion of Russian troops,
and some A.F.V’s. . . •
British operations were conducted with impressive speed and efficiency.
28. On the 17th September Russian and British forces (the 9th Armoured
Brigade) reached Tehran, but did not enter the city. The Russians have occupied
a number of Persian barracks which lie outside the town, evicting the Persian
troops at a moment’s notice. The British troops are occupying newly-erected
[23—25] B 2