Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎24r] (47/544)

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As regards aeroplanes, the distance from Basra to Bushire was
250 miles, which was too great a distance for machines in view
the hot weather and the liability of engines to overheat; vvhile, ii
they were sent, they would have to he packed and shipped from
Baghdad. As General Marshall was unable to send either troops < r
transport, the Chairman enquired whether there was a possibility <f
reinforcements being found from other sources.
General Wilson said that some two or three months ago four
companies of infantry and two sections of artillery had been sent to
Bandar Abb is, while one add'tional squadron of cavalry was formed
in Persia. Of the aforesaid troops, all except two companies were at
Shiraz when the trouble occurred. The position of the remaining two
companies was not known.
Mr. Montagu said that Sir Herbert Cox had mentioned a
battalion being near Neriz, south of the lake of that name. 1 here
should also be 600 rifles (“ Regulars ”) near Saidabad. He enquired
whether these troops were yet under Sykes or were marching to
join him.
General Macdonogh said that all troops landed at Bandar
Abbas and all troops at Kerman cams under the orders of Sir Percy
Sykes.
Mr. Balfour thought the Committee might assume that Sir
Percy Sykes was in real difficulties, and that he must l>e reinforced.
The point was whether assistance should be sent to him from
Mesopotamia or from India.
General Smuts doubted whether they might not be exaggerating
his difficulties. Apart from the South Peisia Rifles, Sykes had 1,600
Indian regular infantry, 200 mounted infantry, and a squadron of
other mounted troops. These constituted a formidable force
to oppose irregular tribesmen. Moreover, Sykes had defeated the
tribes, and he, apparently, had made no definite request for any
assistance except aeroplanes
The Chairman said that he was personally acquainted with the
terrain between Bushire and Shiraz, which presented enormous
difficulties, especially when the whole countryside was hostile. He
thought that they must enquire at once from Sir Percy Sykes :
(a) exactly what his military difficulties were; and (5) whether he
needed reinforcements other than aeroplanes. He further thought
it very desirable that the Committee should be in possession of a
connected account of the circumstances which led to these
disturbances in the south, and of the reasons for military action
there.
General Macdonogh undertook to furnish, at an early date, a
complete statement of the events which had led up to the present
situation. He further stated that Sir Percy Sykes’ operations had,
as one of their principal objects, the maintenance of his com
munications with Bandar Abbas which was his base of supplies.
As regards aeroplanes, the flight from Bushire to Shiraz would
be 50 miles over the plains and 50 miles over hills. It would not b^*
possible to establish an aerodrome in Shiraz, nor to get spare parts
and petrol there.
The Chairman pointed out that apart from the question of heat
affecting the aeroplanes, there were no starting or landing places in
the neighbourhood.
Mr. Balfour suggested that Sir Percy Sykes should he told that
it would he difficult to reinforce him, and it would take weeks for
troops to reach him via Bushire.
Mr. Montagu referred to a statement by Srr Percy Cox that
reinforcements via Bushire would have 170 miles to travel along a
difficult road infested with hostile tribesmen ; travelling via Bandar
Abbas, on the other hand, they would have a better road but it was
nearly t\Gce as long.