Page 314 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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(8) AMMUNITION.
S.A.A. oxpondod in practice sinco January 1943 ie as
follows i-
.303 Ball • • • • • • 25,842
.303 Blank • • • • • • 432
.303 Tracer • • • • • • Nil
.455 Rcvolvor • • • • • • 380
Grenades • • • • • • Nil
Cartridges, Ballietite • • t Nil
The R.A.F., Muscat had somo 30,000 rounds of .303 Ball
which was time-barred for use in R.A.F. machine guns and it
was proposed to 'dump* it. With a view to saving money I
offered" to take it over free or if necessary purchase it at
a reduced price but the quotation given by the R.A.F. was
Rs.136/- per 1000 as opposed to Rs.56/- per 1000 for new
ammunition from India. The R.A.F. therefore still have 30,000
rounds lying useless in Muscat as it has for years.
(9) ANIMAL TRANSPORT.
The M.G. donkeys are in fair condition but are entirely
grass fed and would not stand up to hard, prolonged work.
Grain is unobtainable and dates which at one time formed part
of their ration arc prohibitive.

Three horses on charge are in good condition.
The camels which were originally kept for the transport
of artillery before It was carried on M.T. have been handed
over temporarily to various Walls and can be called in should
it be necessary to transport the guns to some place inaccess­
ible to M.T.

The cost of feeding combined v/ith the fact that suit­
able pack-saddlery was not obtainable rendered them useless.
The Farm at Ruwi has effected a large saving in fodder,
a considerably larger area has been put under cultivation
producing Cherri, Bajri and Lucerne; unfortunately this can
never support the animals entirely owing to the paucity of the
water supply except from December to February.
Motor Transport.
Four Chevrolet 30 Cwt. and V/8 Station Wagioniaro on
charge. One lorry has been immobilised for the past ten
months for want of a new cylinder heed. The remainder were
overhauled (decarbonised, valves grounded) under ray personal
supervision at the beginning of the year. We had a period of
three months when only one lorry was going owing to lack of
batteries; these have now been received.

The question of spare parts has now become acute and
daily minor repairs are necessary. We have no fan belts, old
web pack straps being used instead, re-inforced with Field
Telephone cable, these are averaging 600 miles. All radiators
require replacing as the present ones are "plugged" with
cement. Tyres require replacement and springs are most
urgently requirod.

All these items together with many other essential
spares have been under indent for the past yoar but nothing
has boon supplied although it was agreed 4n December 1942
that the I.A.O.C. should undertake the supplies. This is

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