Page 531 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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The horses on charge are all fit. In last year’s
report it was stated that it was proposed to attempt to bread
a mule with a view to using them in future for 2.75 guns, This
has not yet been possible as, owing to an unfortunate liaison
the mare is in fool to a Stallion.
The eitra fodder grown at Ruwi and Bait-al-Falaj was
sufficient for all animals up to the end of October. Since
then a certain amount has had to be purchased outside.
Unfortunately the heavy rain last year which caused the
Falaj to flow for the first tirae in many years does not appear to
have had any lasting effect as dried up in the middle of the year.
The damage to the various channels was very great and we have
been working throughout the year clearing the stoppages.
(b) M.T.: Please see reports for 1943 and 1944, Our
M.T. to all intents and purposes has been non-existent. Two
30 cwt. Chevrolets were sent to Karachi for repair but were
"written off" by the I.E.M/E.workshops as beyond repair.
We have managed to keep one lorry going by stripping the f ourth
which was also unserviceable. This lorry can do the journey
between Muscat and Mutrah, but the radiator has to be filled
up eight times in the 4i miles.

The old R.A.F. lorry has been purchased from the Consulate,
and although this requires a lot of attention, it is helping us
to carry on.
The Government of India has agreed to supply four lorries.
It is now learned that they are 15 cwt. and second hand Fords.
They are apparently in Bombay and shipment is being delayed
pending the receipt of an Export Permit.
It appears that the issue order for these lorries was
published in Delhi in January 1945 and received in Bombay in
December 1945.

We now hold a very large stock of Chevrolet spare parts
as a result of the past three years' indents. All these spares
arrived too late to be of any use and Trill have to be returned
or disposed of and Ford spares indented for. The same applies
to tyres, of which we have a considerable 6tock.
9. Medicali

Captain Matthews, the Agency Surgeon, continues to
officiate as our Medical Officer. His report is appended
belowt
ANNUAL HEALTH REPORT ON THE MUSCAT INFANTRY
from 1st January 1945 * 31st December 1945-

+ Tk® general health of the Unit has not been very satisfac­
tory. Although there waB no epidemic of an infectious nature,
nevertheless the numbers of sick have been high. I feel that
the summer of 1945 must be regarded as accounting a great deal
for this rise in sick numbers.

• and the average maximum temperature
*a8afto2 ® 102Oc* 1110 W0t bulb reading was between 94®C to
?° **th 0 bigh maximum temperature and a relatively high
umidity reading, a very dangerous period exists. Fortunately

no eases