Page 37 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

TOR THE YEAR 19J2. 27
His Majesty's Government had scarcely come to a decision with regard to
their policy in Fars as detailed above, when
Death of Captain Eckford.
a further outrage, involving the death of
British Officer, occurred, necessitating a reconsideration of the whole situation.
ft
The section of the road between Dashtarjin and Shiraz having been officially
declared safe and in the control of the gendarmerie, a party of 20 sowars witn
yj followers and 17 baggage mules of the Central India Horse, accompanied by
3fajor Kcttlcwcll and Captain Eckford proceeded with the consent of the Gover-
nor -Gcneral, for some days shooting on the Dashtarjin lake, about 40 miles from
Shiraz- They were ambushed, however, between Khaneh Zinian and Dashtarjin,
on llth December, by a largo body of tribesmen estimated at between 200 and
300 men.
The following is the official narrative of the incident, as telegraphed at the
tfmc by Major O’Connor, based on Major Kettlewell’s detailed report:
Party consisted of Major Kettlewcll, Captain Eckford, 1 non-commissioned
officer, 2G sowars, 17 followers and 17 baggage mules. They started from Khaneh
Zinian 7 a. m., llth December, half an hour after party of about 160 Persian
sarbazes who were marching down road independently. Twelve men were told
off as baggage guard, remainder with officers as advance guard. At bridge over
Kara Agach river Persian officer of gendarmerie with two mounted gend armes
Tvho had accompanied Major Kettlewell to river, galloped on ahead to inspect
gendarmerie post at Burj-i-Timuri on top of Sineh Safid Pass. Major Kettle-
well also sent on ahead native officer and 2 sowars to prepare quarters at Dash­
tarjin. Scouts were also posted on wooded hills on left flank. After short halt
party proceeded. Road here runs through tamarisk and thorn jungle for about
1£ miles. The two officeis accompanied by six or seven sowars had passed
beyond jungle, and just as leading mules were appearing from jungle
hot fire was opened on paity from hills on left. Advanced party gallop­
ed ahead, got under cover, dismounted and started to climb lull. It was
difficult to discern enemy through thick jungle but shots were exchanged and
it was now that Captain Eckford was shot through heart. Few' minutes later
Major Kettlewell saw from crest of ridge 150 to 200 men rush out from bottom
of ravine below towards river bank His men fired at them but they quickly
disappeared into jungle. Meanwhile sowars of baggage guard had crossed to
north bank of river and taken up position in low hills. They report that
smaller body of robbers joined attack also from north. Major Kettlewell now
collected men with him, descended hill and crossed river bed- taking Captain
Eckford’s body writ-h him. They joined other party and a native officer and two
sowars, who had gone ahead, also rejoined party here. Meanwhile robbers
appear to have made off over hills to north with their booty. "Whole party
tnen returned to Kbaneh Zinian moving bjr north bank of river. During this
movement some 15 to 20 horsemen were seen on hills to north and shots
exchanged. Major Kettlewell states that he saw no caravan either at Serai at
Khaneh Zinian or on road. Small party of Persians with three or four mules
who left Serai after sow'ers had started were robbed and their mules taken. They
returned to Serai on foot where ^ Major Kettlewell saw them but he had not
seen them on road.
Major Kettlewell also stated that, beyond the firing, no attempt was made
to attack his small party. Robbers were apparently only out for plunder and
cleared off at once when they had seized mules. As to gendarmes, it would
appear that Persian officer, when he reached the Burj, brought his men back
along crest of hills and it was there that they were wounded. Major Kettlewell
?My saw them in the distance moving along hills to south when he was return-
tog towards Khaneh Zinian.
Dp to the end of the year it was not ascertained with certainty to what
tribe or tribes the robbers belonged, but it appears fairly certain that Buwair
^hinadis, Mamasanis and Kashkulis were all implicated, and there is reason
to suspect that Muhammad Ali Khan, Kashkuli, whose dependants were
Sponsible for the attack on Mr. Smart last year, was, at all events, cognizant
°f the intention of the band, if he did not actually instigate the raid.
# Major O’Connor reported that it was clear that the attack was aimed not
*§atost the officers and men, but was actuated purely by motives of robbery,