File 5257/1919 'Persia: the Military Commission' [‎109v] (225/534)

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(4 'l In the W and S W. Areas, to establish a small staff to enable the War Office to
( } control “he area bnt otherwise to naarntam the exiting bodres there, the
3 endeavouring to.reduce cost wherever posstble.
( 5 .) To start an air force as in the scheme.
The above will involve a start being made with about 33,000 reorganised troops
and keeping about 10,000 of existing fo ™ atl “ S n ] “ ^Jen ^ 1 ' ' 638 " ntl1 th#
C0 “S Thfr^fsIepT!™ ich the° Commission recommend that the above
should be undertaken, are as follows .
(a 1 To reorganise the War Office in accordance with the scheme. This is mos t
( } important as the reorganisation of the areas can hardly be undertaken nntil
We is a centre to deal with the questions and problems that will arise.
The establishment of a finance branch as m the scheme is most
important Arms, ammunition and equipment should be obtained at this
stage for the numbers to be reorganised. , t , ,,
(b) To commence the establishment of a central military cadet school bj
amXamating the existing Gendarmerie, Central Brigade and War Office
schools into one. Until a separate War School for the higher education of
officers can he established, classes for senior officers should be held by the
instructional staff of the new cadet school.
(c.) When the above steps have been taken, the Peisian Government should
^ ^ definitely take over the South Persia Rifles and the Cossack Division.
The existence of separate forces not controlled by the Central War Office
is not only very expensive hut it is totally opposed to the idea of a uniform
military force and to the interests of the country. The gendarmerie sliould
at the same time be brought under the War Office and its headquarters
amalgamated with the War Office Staff, the units of the gendarmerie should,
however continue to he employed on their present local security duties.
this stage taking over should merely mean these formations being paid
and administered by the War Office instead of through the present channels,
the reorganisation proceeding gradually later when the area staffs get to
work. The Commission do not recommend the Levy Corps in East
Persia being taken over. They are organised as Indian units and are
unsuitable for inclusion in the Persian army. Suitable men who leave that
force and enlist in the new Persian army should he accepted.
(d.) Area staffs should at the same time be formed and proceed to the headquarters
of their areas if not already there. The finance branch of area staffs
should take over payment of all formations as existing and at existing rates
pending reorganisation The formation of new units can then be begun in
the area either by enlisting new recruits or by transferring men from
existing formations.
(e.) Simultaneously with (c) and (d) the commencement of the formation of an air
force as proposed in the scheme.
297. In order to carry out the proposals contained in the preceding paragraph,
the Commission consider that though the employment of foreigners in any country is
highly undesirable on principle, yet the fact that at present there exists only a small
number of Persian officers with expert military knowledge and experience, renders it
essential that a certain number of expert officers and n.c.os. be obtained on loan from
abroad to start the new organisation and train the new army and so place Persia
position thereafter to carry on and manage her own affairs.
298. The Commission recommend that regimental units be regarded as being i n
three categories for the purpose of having British personnel attached to them, viz. i"
First .—Certain existing units of Persia’s armed forces such as the gendarmerie,
which can be brought into the new army, and which are now commanded by capable
Persian officers. To these no British officers or n.c.os. should he attached. These
units should he visited periodically by inspecting officers attached to the area staff, and
these officers would furnish, during their visits, such expert assistance as is needed.
Second .—New regiments being formed for the uniform army, either by enlisW
new recruits or taking men discharged or transferred from other formations. h is
considered that for these regiments, during the period only that they are being r aisftd
and trained, there should be a British sarhang, assisted by two officer and four n.c-o-
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