IOR/L/PS/20/C234

This volume is History of the Great War Based on Official Documents: Operations in Persia, 1914-1919, written by Brigadier-General Frederick James Moberly, under the direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. It was published in 1929 and was printed by His Majesty’s Stationery Office, Harrow.

The volume begins with a preface on relations between Russia and Britain and the differing approaches the governments of both empires took to Persia [Iran]. It also discusses the results of the Persian Constitutional Revolution, and the significance of Persia to broader British military decision-making in Mesopotamia [Iraq] and India during the First World War.

The rest of the volume is divided into eleven chapters. Chapter one, ‘Introductory’, gives an overview of the geography of Persia, describing its class and ethnic composition, the military forces found within the country, and the religions practiced by its inhabitants. The chapter concludes with a brief history of Persia, spanning from the sixth century BCE to August 1914.

The rest of the volume consists of a chronological narrative of political and military events in Persia from August 1914 to the coup d’état of Riza Khan [Reżā Shāh Pahlavī] in February 1921. British military actions are described in detail.

Topics discussed include:

• The presence of Russian and British troops in and on the borders of Persia before the Ottoman Empire joined the First World War in November 1914
• German espionage efforts within Persia and Afghanistan, including attempts to raise a Persian military force
• Ottoman military incursions into Persia
• An attack by unspecified ‘tribesmen’ on British forces defending the Sultan of Muscat in January 1915, blamed on the German and Ottoman governments
• The movements of Russian forces in northern and western Persia
• British military actions in Persia against ‘anti-British’ tribes and other forces backed by the German and Ottoman militaries
• Fighting between British forces and the forces of Saulat Ud-Daula [Ṣawlat al-Dawlah], leader of the Qashqai [Qashqāy] tribal confederacy
• British military actions in Mesopotamia, including the occupation of Basra and the siege of Kut
• British military interventions in ‘Trans-Caspia’ and the Caucasus
• British military preparations for action against the Persian Government
• Ongoing diplomatic conflicts between British, Russian, and German officials in key cities across Persia
• British interference with the Persian Government, particularly the selection of ministers
• The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and its impact on events in Persia
• Expansion of the Persian Cossack Brigade
• Creation and activities of the South Persia Rifles
• The activities of Dunsterforce, including its clashes with Jangali [Jangalī] forces in Gilan
• The activities of the Malleson Mission, particularly its involvement with the anti-Bolshevik Transcaspian Government based in Askabad [Ashgabat]
• The position of Persia in peace negotiations following the end of the First World War, and British post-war policies in the region.

The volume also contains five appendices:

• Appendix 1- ‘Views of Field-Marshal Von der Goltz on the Situation in Persia, as stated in a Memorandum dated 16th February, 1916, addressed to Constantinople and to Great General Headquarters at Berlin’
• Appendix 2- ‘British Troops in Persia; 31st December, 1916’
• Appendix 3- ‘Distribution and Strength of the Troops with the Sykes Mission. 30th April, 1918’
• Appendix 4- ‘East Persia Cordon Field Force. Distribution of Troops .. 31st March. 1918.’
• Appendix 5- ‘British Troops in Persia, Persian Gulf and Trans-Caspia; 15th November 1918’.

The volume contains ten photographs.

The volume also contains fourteen maps:

• ‘Sketch Map to Illustrate Operations at Dilbar’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 66)
• ‘Sketch Map to Illustrate the Affair of Dasht-i-Arjan’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 128)
• ‘Affair of Kafta’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 144)
• ‘Sketch Map of Northern Fars. To Illustrate Operations of Sir P. Sykes’ Troops: September-October, 1917; January, 1918; May, 1918.’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 177)
• ‘To Illustrate the Action of Deh Shaikh. 25th May, 1918.’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 182)
• ‘Shiraz. Plan of the Neighbourhood.’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 194)
• ‘Plan of East Persian Line of Communications’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 231)
• ‘Sketch Map to Illustrate Operations for the Relief of Firuzabad’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 236)
• ‘Persia’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 275)
• ‘To Illustrate Operations at Bushire. 1915.’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 276)
• ‘Portion of Perso-Afghan Frontier.’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 277)
• ‘To Illustrate the Operations of General Dyer in Sarhad.’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 278)
• ‘Sketch Map Illustrating the Wanderings of German Parties in Persia and Afghanistan.’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 279)
• ‘To Illustrate the Operations from Bushire.’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/20/C234, f 280).