Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎55r] (109/544)

1
fes)
15
Te revert to the Amir’s demand for arms, he should be informed that if he takes
action on the lines suggested, the maximum possible consignment will be despatched
forthwith via the Sistan Railway and the line of the Meshed cordon, where there
is a fair road, for delivery to him at oarakha or some such convenient point on the
North-East frontier of Persia. As soon as the Amir has committed himself to action
on the lines suggested, a gift of treasure and a small consignment of arms might be
sent direct to Kabul. Once the Afghan Army is committed to a campaign in
Turkestan, of which the opening stages at least will meet with relatively little
opposition, the danger of an Afghan attack on India will disappear. The highly
successful blockade of the Mohmands, and the severe punishment administered to
the Mahsuds and the Marris within the past twelve months are not forgotten in
Kabul and Kandahar.
A note on the Afghan Army and a skeleton* map to illustrate this paper are
attached.
HENRY WILSON, C.I.G.S.
General Staff,
War Office, June 21, 1918.
Appendix to the above Note.
Note on the Afghan Army.
Strength .—The number of men available for active service is as follows:—
With units of the regular army ... ... ... 80,000
Khasadars (Militia) ... ... ... ... 30.000
Khawanin Sowars (Feudal Yeomanry) ... ... 9,000
Tribesmen (fighting men) 1,000,000; of whom the maxi
mum number likely to concentrate in a single army
is estimated at ... ... ... ... 100,000
Small Arms .—The number of rifles available is approximately as follows:—
.303-in. ... ... ... ... ... ••• 50,000
Martini-Henry ... ... ... ••• ••• 500,000
Snider ... ... ... ... ••• ••• 50,000
The Arsenal at Kabul turns out 200-300 rifles per month.
Guns. —There are about 500-600 guns of modern type, mostly mountain guns.
Organisation .—It seems probable that the “ Kandak ” organisation is in the
process of being introduced throughout Afghanistan.
/ 600 infantry.
200 cavalry.
I “ Kandak ” = l/3rd Brigade= 200 artillery.
6 machine guns.
I 6 mountain guns.
Equipment.—During the past three years great progress has been made in the
clothing and equipment of the army, special factories having been set up for the
manufacture of soap, boots, uniforms, &c. ,,
Training and Efficiency. —A training school, said to be “ on the German system,
has been established at Kabul. It is also known that a large number of escaped
Austrian officer prisoners of war from Turkestan have been employed as instructors
for the army. Neidermeyer on his return to Germany from Afghanistan in April
1917, stated'that the Amir kept 150,000 men under arms, and that they had reached
a fair state of discipline and efficiency.
General Staff. War (office,
June 21, 1918.
o
* Sufficient copies of the map were not received to ciiculate one to each member of the Committee.