2. The Government of India replied as follows:— "The possible introduction of aviation in operations in Persia has been under consideration for some time: problem, however, is attended with serious difficulty. Owing to absence of motor roads and roughness of the country, the aeroplanes used would have to have wide radius of action, and recovery of any obliged to make a forced landing would be generally impossible. Aviation in Southern Persia, therefore, would be attended with considerable danger. Indeed, it is only with use of latest pattern of aeroplane that it would be feasible at all. It would for similar reasons be highly expensive, especially as it is against present policy to train other than British personnel to aviation work. To use of aviation as a permanent instrument for police work in peace time in Southern Persia, there are additional and still more weighty objections: the impossibility, for instance, of discrimination between innocent and guilty in carrying out punitive measures by aeroplane, and necessity of protection and support by regular troops which would mean the permanent location of regular garrisons in several posts in Bushire hinterland. Latter consideration alone precludes aviation being (to quote your words) presented to Persian Government as an effective force capable of being utilised immediately and curtailing as far as possible the stay of our troops in the country." 3. It seemed clear from this reply that the Government of India has not adequately appreciated the very great practical and moral value of aeroplanes—for which General Officer Commanding, Bushire, has been pressing for months past; and both I and my deputy urged on Major-General Salmond the importance of pressing for their despatch (they could have been spared for months past from Mesopotamia). This he was successful in doing, and on return from a visit by air to Bushire with the flight despatched thither, I telegraphed to the India Office as follows — "I submit for consideration of His Majesty's Government that question, which I regard as of vital importance and as likely to modify our future dispositions in Persia, should not be regarded as being disposed of by foregoing pronouncement. " For past six months we have maintained from Baghdad a flight of aeroplanes at Kasvin whose radius of action has extended to Senna, Urumia, Tabriz and Baku. This work has been carried on at a great personal risk to pilots with machines not the latest pattern. Now, however, the best machines are available. The flight now at Mosul is in a position to control Sulaimaniyah, Rowanduz, Zakho, and places even further distant. "Landing grounds have been prepared at every town of importance in occupied territories between Baghdad and Baku, Arabistan, on oil fields and at Tehran. "Stores of petrol and oil are maintained at every place at which a Political Officer is stationed. I have every confidence in ability of Royal Air Force to lend powerful aid to civil power in maintenance of order in Mesopotamia and in North-West Persia without the intervention of troops. They should be in a position in future to do for us on land in Middle East what the Navy have done for us in Persian Gulf in past. “Our experience in Mesopotamia and in North-West Persia does not bear out the view that discrimination between innocent and guilty is more difficult when carried out by Royal Air Force than by troops, and I have little doubt that it will prove far less costly than our present methods. "Aeroplanes are now being used with success in connection with operations of Bushire Expeditionary Force; it can scarcely be doubted that, had they been made available two years ago, the present situation in Fars would never have arisen. "If I may express a personal opinion, the establishment of works and hangars at Bushire, combined with landing grounds at all principal towns, and petrol stores at all places where British of officials are posted in South Persia, would go far towards solving the problem. “It will be borne in mind Bushire is an important stopping place of main air route from Europe to India, and expenditure on workshops there will thus serve a double object. Workshop lorries, could probably even now reach Shiraz from Kasvin via Tehran and Ispahan with a little work, and it is within my personal knowledge the construction of roads, fit for motors from Shiraz to most of principal points in Fars would involve little difficulty or expense." 4. I added that I had seen a good deal during the past ten years of the limitations of troops in Persia, and had practical experience of the use of aeroplanes for police purposes in Mesopotamia and West Persia. Experience shows that effective discrimination can be exercised, and there is less risk of complications on the way to and from the scene of action, and greater moral effect. The attitude of tribes is: “We are not afraid of your troops. Guns cannot reach us: but we cannot fight against your aircraft.” In point of fact the advent of the aeroplanes and their active participation
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