Coll 28/97(1) ‘Persia. Diaries. Tehran Intelligence Summaries.’ [‎345r] (689/807)

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British Affairs.
16. His Majesty’s Minister has gone to Moscow by air with His Majesty’s
Ambassador at Angora.
„ ..A ^7 A P^lic Relations and Propaganda Bureau is now in process of
organisation as a part of His Majesty’s Legation.
American Affairs.
18. General Wheeler and Colonel Gillies arrived in Tehran on the 18th,
bringing much goodwill and, it is said, a call on large financial resources. They
were here mainly interested in plans for the acceleration of the transit of
munitions and aircraft to Russia. They visited the Caspian ports and found the
Russians nearly as difficult of approach as do the British. They left on the 28th
by train for Alhwaz.
—. J .
Polish Affairs.
19. General Sikorski, accompanied by General Klimecki and General
Anders, returned from Russia on the 16th December. He was very well satisfied
with his mission. The Poles in Russia are to be concentrated in Trans-Caspia
and there trained and equipped, with the exception of 25,000 who are to be
evacuated through Persia to Mideast and Great Britain. After certain
conferences in Tehran regarding arrangements for the evacuation of these Poles,
General Sikorski left for Cairo and General Anders for Russia. A Polish mission
under Colonel Machnowski, who has already arrived, is to come to Persia from
Mideast to assist with the evacuation.
Russian Affairs.
20. The local Soviet authorities are insisting that the operation of the
1 ail way from Qum northwards should be under their control. The serious
objections to this are obvious. I he matter has been referred to London and
Moscow. In this, as in other matters, co-operation with the local Soviet
authorities is difficult, largely owing to the restrictive orders issued to them by
Moscow and the very small scope of the initiative allowed to them.
21 . The first consignment of tanks destined for Russia to arrive by the
Trans-Persian route—twenty light British tanks—was handed over to the
Russians at Zinjan on the 21 st December. Two British officers and five British
n.c.os. remained at Zinjan until the 27th as instructors with the Russians, who
themselves decided that instruction was unnecessary beyond that date.
22. The Soviet authorities continue to release batches of Persian officer-
prisoners.
23. The port of Bandar Shah (Bandar Caspian) is being dredged by the
Russians. They anticipate that by February there will be a 13-ft. channel to
the jetties.
24. Various new consular posts are being opened in Persia by the Soviet
authorities. The old consulate-general at Meshed has been reopened and consuls
also been appointed to Bush ire, Ahwaz and Kermanshah.
Tehran, December 29, 1941.