Seistan Force
The Seistan Force, originally called East Persia Cordon, was a force of
Unit history
In August 1914 (at the start of World War I) a small force, under the orders of the
Despatches
The following is part of the text of a despatch by General Sir
In conjunction with the Russians a small force was maintained in East of Persia to ensure the tranquillity of this region and frustrate the activity of German agents. Raids on the lines of communication of the force were made by certain tribes of Persian
Baluchistan, notably the Damanis of Sarhad. In order to prevent these, and to control the Damanis, Brig.-Gen. R. E. Dyer, Commanding in East of Persia, moved a part of his force to Khwashin May, 1916.In July the hostile attitude of the Damanis necessitated punitive measures. The Damanis are divided into two main sections, the Yarmahomedzais and the Gamshadzais. Brig.-Gen. Dyer determined to move to Gusht in order to intervene between these two sections, and to deal with each in detail. Operations in the vicinity of Gusht from 12th July to 29th July resulted in the capture of the bulk of the Yarmahomedzai flocks and herds, the infliction of considerable loss, and the separation of the two Damani sections. During this period several small actions were fought under trying conditions of climate and terrain, the chief engagement being one at Kalag, near Gusht, on 21st July.
During August General Dyer traversed without opposition a large part of the Gamshadzai country, returning to Khwash on 24th August.
On the 5th October 1916, Brig.-Gen. Dyer returned to India on account of ill-health, and was succeeded in command of the Sistan force by Brig.-Gen. C. O. O. Tanner.
As a result of the above operations agreements were arrived at with the chiefs of the Damanis, by which they promised to pay certain fines and to refrain from future hostility. The fines imposed have now been paid in full, and the settlement has allowed of a portion of the Sistan force being withdrawn to
Sistanwere engaged with hostile bodies on three occasions.At Lirudik on 13th April, 1916, a force of 70 men of the Punjabis with a party of levies, under Capt. A. D. Bennett, Punjabis, inflicted considerable loss on a lashkar estimated at 700 men.
At Kalmas, on 26th September, a party of 23 men of the Light Cavalry and 36 levies, under the command of 2nd Lt. Wahl, attached Light Cavalry, defeated a party of gunrunners, capturing a large number of rifles, ammunition, and camels. 2nd Lt. Wahl was killed on this occasion.
Near Chorab, on the 24th March, 1917, a party consisting of 16 men of the Light Cavalry and one British officer and 25 men of the Punjabis, the whole under the command of Captain J. A. C. Kreyer, Cavalry, attacked a gunrunner's caravan. The whole of the transport of 20 camels, as well as 447 rifles and some 23,600 rounds of ammunition were captured.
Commanding officers
- Lt Colonel J. M. Wikely, August 1915
- Brig-General Reginald Dyer, March 1916
- Brig-General C. O. O. Tanner, October 1916
- Lt Colonel (later Brig-General) G. A. Dale, May 1917
See also
Footnotes
- ^ Collett 2006, pp. 144–145
- ^ Hopkirk 2001, p. 117
- ^ "No. 30360". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 October 1917. p. 11270.
References
- Collett, N. (2006). The Butcher of Amritsar: General Reginald Dyer. Continuum International Publishing Group. ISBN 1-85285-575-4.
- ISBN 0-19-280230-5.
Further reading
- Hughes, Thomas L. (October 2002). "The German Mission to Afghanistan, 1915–1916". German Studies Review. 25 (3). German Studies Association: 447–476. JSTOR 1432596.
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| Ghadar | ||
| Berlin Committee |
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| Indian figures | ||
| German figures | ||
| Conspiracy | ||
| Counter-intelligence | ||
| Related topics | ||