Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎314v] (628/807)

buildings intended for a machine-gun factory An East India Company trading post. situated outside the town to the
east. The Russians are on the west and north.
British Interests.
29. Colonel W. A. K. Fraser, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.V.O., M.C., tool^over
duties of military attache on the 25th Augufet.
Lieutenant-Colonel H. J. Underwood has been appointed assistant military
d't tcLclrG *
Transit Routes to Russia.
30. Investigations into the capacity of road routes and of the motor trans
port available and required have been carried out as regards routes other than
the Nok-kundi-Meshed road by the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation,
who have been charged with the operation of these routes under military control.
The Nok-kundi-Meshed route is being developed by the Government of India.
31. Lieutenant-Colonel Davis, R.E., who came to Tehran from the British
Mission at Moscow, has reported on the capacity of the Persian railways and the
available rolling-stock.
32. Negotiations with the Russians regarding the points from which they
will operate the transit routes have not yet been completed.
33. frial consignments have already been conveyed by rail from Bandar
Shahpur (P.G.) and handed over to the Russians at Zinjan and Kazvin; 200 tons
of jute have been sent by the Government of India to Meshed, and a heavy
consignment of goods is being despatched by road from railhead at Khanakin.
34. Hitherto, in spite of the confusion prevailing for some days after the
invasion, which must have offered many opportunities of sabotage, no damao-e
has been done to the very vulnerable railway or to factories or installations. The
security of the railway is, however, a matter of some concern.
Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.
Ihe company, having heard that there is to be a reduction of our troops
in South-West Persia, is concerned about the safety of its workings, particularly
those lying at some distance from Abadan. Since the Bakhtiari holdings in the
company were taken over by the Persian Government and the Bakhtiari guards
abolished, the tribe has no longer an interest in the security of the company’s
workings. ^ j
British Troops.
36. Although it cannot be said that the military occupation is anything but
unpopular, except with those who hope to make money out of the troops, there is
no doubt of the sincerity of the welcome given to British troops where Russians
are m the neighbourhood.
ttussian interests.
Russian Troops.
3J- lb e Russian troops have in many respects made a good impression on all
except Persians. I heir discipline is strict, the behaviour of the rank and file is
good their equipment and physique are excellent, but their turn-out is dirtv
and sloven y. Generally, the impression given by the Russian forces is of a rigid
and inelastic machine with little initiative left to subordinates.
. 38 - rhe actl ons of the Russian forces appear to be directed with a lack
andNn^r™,, AS m a r PeS be : the Selection of railwa y stations
and Anglo-Iranian Oil Company petrol and oil tanks as bombing targets- the
disarming of all police and gendarmerie, combined with a refusal to accept
responsibility for the protection of life and property; the stripping of Persian
civilian lorries of essential parts required by Russian forces, such Is tyres- the
confiscation of property necessary to railway working; interference with civilian
he ree tohHsh T °/ These measures must retard
the re-estabhshment of Persian administration, which the Russians profess to
desire, and handicap the.workmg of the through transit routes
39. Reliable information regarding the strength of the Russian forces in
ITtorio'nsTf U avai ah f e - The Russians give away little information and are
suspicious oi close inspection.