INDIANS' FEAT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 206, 1 September 1941, Page 7

INDIANS' FEAT

| ENTRY INTO IRAN

Exposed To Fierce Sniping On Shore Unili'd I'rcs- Ai;i l :<.ll. —«:iij>yrifrlit. Rec. l.:J0 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 31. A special message giving an account of the capture of Abadan. in southern Iran, indicates that Indian troops carried out the almost impossible feat of landing on the waterfront irom naval vessels, using only small arms. The difficulty of the task was increased by orders I that heavy guns and mortars must I not be used because of the possibility of damaging the vital oil plant. The waterfront wns also ringed with very high iron fencing, out the Indians smashed down the iron gateways while being sniped at. A very ncrce batr.e ihen ensued. Three British members of the British-Iranian Oil Company were killed by tommy-gun lire m tne main oil building. Several others were | injured by stray bullets. The relinj ing and production of the normal j million gallons of oil daily was pracj tically unhindered by the entry of j the troops, and the oil continues to ■ flow northwards. I The Teheran radio announced that the new Premier, Ait Furanghi. has 1 made a statement to the effect that [Parliament expected a satisfactory conclusion of the talks with the British and Soviet representatives. "Our discussions and actions have reached a clearer stage," lie said. "Some concern is felt in the people's state of mind about the many untrue rumours current, which. I am sure, are spread by the dissentient element. ! assure Parliament that there is no danger for Teheran or the Government. There is plenty of food." { It is officially announced in Mos- j : cow that Soviet troops yesterday I occupied the Iranian towns of Resln.j I Sharhud and Zinjan. I I Following an official communique 1 issued from British headquarters in' India this morning, a "small token I force of Iranian troops is being per|mitted to remain in Kermanshah. ' I under the Iranian fiag." • I Otherwise the Iranian forces are j withdrawing from the oil areas, in; accordance with the agreements! reached between the British and' Iranian local commanders. Iranian prisoners captured during the opera-1 tions are generally in a verv poor i way, their clothing and boots parti-' cularly being in a bad condition. I Though some groups put up a j spirited fight, the great majority; showed little inclination for sustained > resistance. Many have since pro-1 tested their friendliness and readi-' ness to assist the British forces dur-I ing the operations. j The action of the li.A.F. and as i far as is known, that of the Russian j Ail Force, was confined to close sup- ' poi t of the land forces, to dealing j with the Iranian Air Force and to i dropping lcauets. There is no foun-1 dation for Iranian and Axis alleea- ' tion.s that, bombing of open towns took place.