"تقرير الإدارة عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج الفارسي للأعوام ١٩١٥-١٩١٩" [و‎‎٨] (٣٩٦/٢٢)

FOR THE YEAR 1915.
5
leceived at the Eesidency that a party had come across to the Kuzi Nullah,
about a mile South of Subzahad, but as similar reports had been received
before, Major Oliphant, 961 h Berar Infantry, Captain Eanking, Second
Assistant Resident, went out with a small party of Infantry and the Presidency
Cavalry escort to reconnoitre. Unfortunately they came on a party of the
enemy well concealed in a nullah which immediately opened fired, killing one
of the sowars' horses which in its fall pinned the sow T ar to the ground. Captain
Ranking went to assist the sowar to free himself and was shot down, and
Major Oliphant was also unfortunately shot on coming to the assistance of
Captain Eanking. One sepoy w r as also killed and two wounded. The Regi
ment; at once niarched out a^d considerable firing ensued South of Subzabad,
H. M. S. " Lawrence," which was anchored off the coast, firing a few
shells. It is believed that the sound of this helped to turn back a party
of the enemy who were coming across the Mashilleh to attack the outpost here
on the East. It appears that the enemy had planned a simultaneous attack
on our outpost line during the night of the 12th, on the South by the party
from Kuzi Nullah and on the East by a body of about 500 coming straight
across the Mashilleh, but the discovery of the Kuzi party spoilt their scheme.
As the result of this outrage combined with general anti-British attitude of
the Persian Government and people His Majesty's Government decided to
occupy Bushire pending the fulfilment by the Persian Government of the
following demands:—
(1) Definite steps to be taken for the punishment of the Khans con
cerned in the outrage at Bushire.
(2) Indemnities for the families of officers and men killed and for men
wounded at £5,000 for each officer killed and £500 for each
sepoy killed and £100 for each sepoy wounded.
(3) The arrest and expulsion of the German and Austrian Agents
stirring up trouble all over Persia.
(4) The removal of Mukhbir-us-Sultaneh, Governor-General of Pars
(this was understood to include the appointment of Qaw T am-ul-
Mulk to act as Governor-General, and his right to nominate a
suitable man as Governor of the Gulf Ports).
In accordance wdth this decision, therefore, the Town of Bushire was suc
cessfully occupied without opposition at daylight, on the 8th August 1915, by
the 11th Rajputs acting under the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel Lane, 90th
Berar Infantry, Officer Commanding Troops. The British flag was hoisted
over the Town. The Officer Commanding Troops was appointed Military
Governor and the Deputy Resident became Civil Administrator. It had been
decided that the Persian Governor could not remain in office during the occu
pation and so, on the morning of the 8th, His Excellency was informed by the
Deputy Resident that he was relieved of his office and would have to go to
Bombay ; he did so by the following mail.
It had been intended to bombard Dilwar, the village of Rais Ali, at the
same time as Bushire was occupied but, owing to the fact that H, M. S.
Juno " did not arrive till August 5th, and a large number of the crew were
prostrated by the heat of the journey, it was decided to postpone this
for a few days. On the night of the 9th August H. M. S. <£ Juno,"
£ ' Pyramus," " Dalhousie " and 4< Law r rence " proceeded to Dilwar, the last two
mentioned carrying a wing of the 96th Infantry under Major Win tie. Owing
to bad weather it was not possible to effect a landing until the 13th August.
But after this the 96th Infantry, supported by a force of the blue-jackets and
marines under the command of Commander Blomefield, R.N., and Captain
Carpenter, R. M. L I., with some machine guns, carried out some very
successful operations against Rais Ali during which the fort was blown up
and considerable punishment was inflicted on Rais Ali and his tribesmen.
During the operations Commander Blomefieid was unfortunately killed and
7 seamen and marines, and one Kative officer and 5 sepoys were also killed;
one Naval officer and 24 seamen and 16 sepoys were wounded. The expedi
tion returned to Bushire On the 16th August.