Page 312 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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of living and tha onormous docroaoo in the value of tho rupco
and baiza which, combined, give a 70035 increase on pre-war
prices couplod with tho fact that coolies at Masirah and
Raa al Hadd and R.A.F. Levies at Sharjah and other places draw
vory much bettor pay and, in the caso of tho R.A.F. Levies,
much better rations than is tho case here. Tho complete
absence of any clothing duo to our 1942 clothing over-carrying
to Andimoshk and to tho 1943 clothing not arriving is also a
contributory factor.
It is impossible for sepoys to support a family on their
pay at tho prosent high cost of food but should the suggested
arrangements for the supply of rations to sepoy’s families at
cost prico bo possible I consider that service in the Infantry
will becomo a much more attractive proposition than it is at
present.
There has been one promotion to Jemadar during the
current year. This is B.H.M. Lashkaran, a Muscat born Baluchi.
He has turned out very satisfactorily and has taken over the
Machine Gunners who were originally under Jemadar Saiyid Tarik
bin Taimur who proceeded on a Police Course in India in 1942
and is now doing an attachment with the Zhob Militia.
Jemadar Allah Dad has been promoted to Subedar (I.A.)
and Local Subedar Major and Jemadar Hassan Gul to Local Sutedar.

(6) TRAINING.
The general standard of training is, in my opinion, good
when taking into consideration the very low standard of educa­
tion of the men available. Practically none of the men could
read or write and consequently any learning from Army Manuals
is out of the question. I have trained instructors for use in
a school but I have been defeated by the impossibility of
obtaining writing materials, even slates. 1 have however
managed to train all signallers, a number of machine gunners
and gunners, all Havildar Majors and a number of N.C.O’s to
read and write. It is hoped to carry on with this and eventu­
ally make a simple educational examination compulsory for
promotion beyond Paid Lance Walk.

The new recruit training period of 12 weeks instead of
21 has been found to be quite sufficient. After 12 weeks men
appear to develop more rapidly if put on ordinary duty with
their company.
The Training Camp which it was hoped to hold early in
the year was impossible owing to the lack of tentage and
transport. This has been replaced by schemes covering several
days and during the cooler weather men go out for three or four
days at a time moving on "Hard Scale" without tentage etc.
Normal Individual and Collective training has been carried out
and Cadre Courses held.
Signallers.

All are up to I.A. Standard in Flag but a few are still
below in Hello and Lamp. This has been due to shortage of
equipment. This has now been received and it is hoped to raise
the standard. Jemadar Ahmed Sher, in charge of the gunners, is
a Trained Army Signalling Instructor and superintends the work
of the Signal Havildar.

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