"النقل الآلي الطرق في بلاد فارس. المجلد ١ - الطرق الرئيسية. ١٩٤٢" [ظ‎‎٨‎٣] (٤٩٨/١٧١)

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158
Route V—Section A.— contd.
At and near BUSHIRE the water is rather brackish and
new-comers become seriously affected by drinking it. Tube pumps
are recommended for the stages where the supply is not from
streams and by this means sufficient water for a brigade could
always be obtained ; also leather buckets and ropes are useful for
drawing water from wells.
(iii) Supplies. —With some difficulty, supplies sufficient for a
battalion of Indian Infantry, with transport, would be procurable
all along the route at any time of year. Large quantities of barley
are to be obtained in KAZERUN after the harvest in June ; also
good supplies of rice, grain, vegetables and fruit. Live-stock is
found only in limited quantities as far as KAZERUN; but at
KAZERUN and onwards, with the exception of MIAN KUNTAL,
there would be sufficient for a brigade at least. SHIRAZ has
ample supplies of all kinds in their season, and could support a
division.
For a month’s supplies at BUSHIRE for one brigade, at
least a month’s notice should be given to the British Consul-
General, BUSHIRE.
(iv) Fuel. —Fuel is the greatest difficulty along the road,
and is almost unobtainable in the first three stages. Further on
a certain amount is procurable, mostly in the form of tamarisk
bushes in the lower country, and dwarf oak in the hills. This
latter is very plentiful between KAZERUN and DASHT-I-
ARJAN. Transport should be provided for carrying at least
one day’s supply, with a force.
(v) Grazing—The grazing along the route is very scanty,
many places having none whatever for horse, mule or camel
Bhoosa (chopped straw) is the only fodder available, and sufficient
for 1,000 animals could be collected in the vicinity of all stages
Camel grazing is reported to be nil.
(vi) Petrol and oil—Large stocks at BUSHIRE and
SHIRAZ. Plentiful at KAZERUN—a few tins at most roadside
tea houses.
(vii) Repair facilities—Good at BUSHIRE and SHIRAZ
where stockists of spare parts for American lorries and semi
skilled blacksmiths and garages exist. Nil elsewhere.
Petrol pumps have now been installed at BUSHIRF
BORASTAN (Mile 43). KAZERUN (Mile 104£), and SHIRAZ
(two).
8. Tactical. —From November to April BUSHIRE is very
easily defended. No landing from sea possible owing to surf, and
surrounding country is marshy.