Boots on Iran's Soil: A Memoir from Iran’s turbulent WWII Era

By Abdollah Dashti

This powerful journal depicts the tumultuous time during WW II when the British and the Russians forces had a significant influence on Iran, especially in the south and north regions respectively. The author’s firsthand account of the atrocities committed against his community by foreign forces serves a powerful reminder of the human toll of politics and war. Through his leadership and unwavering dedication to justice, Dashti inspires hope and galvanizes the resistance movement against oppressive foreign domination, leaving a lasting legacy on the history of Iran. This journal is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human experience during times of political upheaval and global conflict.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369400739

Book preview

BOOTS ON IRAN’S SOIL

A Memoir from Iran’s turbulent WWII Era

Author: Abdollah Dashti

Compiled by Badieh Dashti

Translated from Farsi by Sayeh Dashti

Publisher Xlibris 2023

Copyright © 2023 by Sayeh Dashti.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Cover designer: Behrad Javanbakht

Rev. date: 07/26/2023

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

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May this dedication serve as a tribute to the indomitable spirit and enduring bond of the Iranian people, both past and present. From the atrocities imposed by the foreign countries to the ongoing struggles from within the country faced today. The unwavering resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the strength of our nation.

CONTENTS

Translator’s Note

Introduction

Notes on the Eyes of Foreign Countries on Iran

Village of Dalaki

Emergence of Qavam al-Molk

Movement in Fars Province

British Infiltration into the South of Iran

Southern Ports’ Declaration of Jihad

Death of Rais Ali Delvari

German Wassmuss

Aftermath of the British Occupation (Fatwa)

Telegrams Sent to Sheikh Mohammad Hossain by the British and His Reply

British Evacuation from Bushehr

Shiraz, the Capital City of Fars Province

Ghazanfar Joining the Mujahideen

Aftermath of Defeat

Dust Storm

Sheikh Mohammad Hossain’s Disappearance

British Settlement in Borazjan; in Search of Sheikh Mohammad Hossain

Sheikh Mohammad Hossain on the Run

Events in Borazjan

Marriage of Agha Khan and Ghazanfar’s Daughter

British Involvement Lessening; Mossadeq

Return of Ghazanfar; Affairs of the Local Khans

Mohammad Ali Khan’s Assassination

British Trying to Impress the Khans

Sheikh Mohammad Hossain Moving to Borazjan

History of Animosity Between Ghazanfar and the Shabankareh Tribe

Zirrah and the Khans of Zirrah

Rulers of the South; Noosh Afarain

Local Khans; Gholoo Sozoo

Onset of the weakening of the Khans

Riot of the Qashqaies and the Boir Ahmadies in Shiraz

Sardar As’ad

Return of Crown Prince Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

Sheikh Mohammad Hossain Escaping the Pillage and the Night of Pillage

Disarming the Khans

Killing Ghazanfar and Ghazanfar’s Profile

Involvement of Foreign Forces in the Internal Affairs of the South

Leadership of Sheikh Abdollah Dashti in the Disarmament; the South Movement

From Tabriz to Jam and Reeze; the Russians

Now Once Again Jam-Reeze; Disarmament Resumed

Abdollah Dashti, about 1909-1971 Facts Known About His Life

Translator’s Note

T HE TEXT OF THE 224 pages of this book is taken from handwritten notes recorded as a memoir by my father, Abdollah Dashti. He began writing his memoir at the urging of his close friend, Mohammad Ali Nezam al-Saltaneh. Dashti opens his memoir with this statement:

It has been years that I have felt obliged to record the memories of the lifetime that I have lived—what I have personally seen and or have heard as facts—so that they do not go to the grave with me, so that facts can be told regarding the situations and the atrocities of the time. I especially feel obliged by the request of my friend, Mohammad Ali Nezam al-Saltaneh, who insisted and emphasized that this was my duty. It is most unfortunate that my commitments and preoccupation with politics and a variety of responsibilities have denied me that opportunity up to this time. Now I am not confident to what degree I can succeed, how I can rely on my ability to recall, and how I might find the supporting documents. I am indeed one of the few individuals who can strongly claim to have personally experienced the acts of brutality and cruelty visited upon our people. I testify and claim that, without a doubt, there will be no grievances or prejudices in my own testimony.

While working on this memoir, Abdollah Dashti was diagnosed with lung cancer and was not able to complete the memoir prior to his death in Tehran, Iran, on January 2, 1971.

Dashti’s handwritten memoir was recovered in the 1990s by his second daughter, Badieh, from piles of papers in his study in his last home in Shemiran, Tehran. Badieh organized his handwritten memoir, added a typewritten version, an introduction, and an index, and arranged for it to be published with the title Az Jam/Reeze ta Tabriz [From Jam/Reeze to Tabriz]. The subtitle of the book is Dashtestan-e Kabir [Greater Dashtestan]. The book was published by Farhang-e Hezareh Sevvom in Tehran in the fall of 2006. She also included photographs of Abdollah Dashti, documents related to his career, as well as photographs of his family and friends.

In 2022, I translated this memoir into English. I used both Badieh Dashti’s transcription and Abdollah Dashti’s hand-written text, which was included in Az Jam/Reeze ta Tabriz. I compared both sources and where there were discrepancies, I relied on the hand-written copy. In this volume, I have added my own introduction to Abdollah Dashti. I have made an effort to stay close to the contents of the memoir as much as the translation and my method of organizing the text allowed. The memoir was written as one continuous narrative, with few organizing elements that were evident to me. As such, I decided to divide the text into sections by topics with titles. My hope is that this will make the memoir easier to navigate.

In addition, I have moved some of the definitions and explanations given by Abdollah Dashti from the body of the text to the footnotes. With the exception of six footnotes that I added (footnote numbers 2, 21, 27, 31, 32, 33), the rest of the footnotes consist of information provided by Abdollah Dashti.

Asterisks *** are used in this book to indicate where one story ends and another begins. A bracketed space [] is used to indicate where words are missing or illegible as a result of damage to the manuscript, or where Abdollah Dashti could not recollect a name. In this memoir, Abdollah Dashti refers to himself in the third person. In my translation, I have added (myself) following his name to add clarity. Punctuation and capitalization are added according to the Chicago Manual of Style. Aside from the above points, the events described in the memoir are translated without any other changes.

In the memoir, most dates are given in the Hejri or Shamsi calendars. However, for this translation, I have added dates in the Gregorian calendar as well (using the Iran Chamber Society’s calendar converter). The names of places such as villages, rivers, and mountains have been verified by Abdollah Dashti’s surviving kin who still live in and know the history of the locations. That information has been confirmed using Google Maps. A few of the locations no longer exist on modern maps. These are indicated in the text.

A contribution that this translation offers is the additional research conducted to verify details of the narrative. This research would not have been possible without the tireless effort of Ahmad Archin, Abdollah Dashti’s first cousin. Archin provided careful information, wise counsel, and encouragement to bring this translation to the finish line. He researched many questions, travelled to locations, and interviewed local residents in order to find accurate information.

Sayeh Dashti

Berkeley, California

June 20, 2023

Introduction

A BDOLLAH DASHTI AND HIS FAMILY are descendants of the scholar Solaiman Mahoozi Bahrani (1665-1709 AD / 1075-1121 AH). Bahrani, along with his brothers, were Shiite Muslim authorities who migrated to the southern regions of Iran, fleeing conflicts with the Sunni rulers of Bahrain. After arriving in Iran, they settled in various areas of Bushehr Province, such as Borazjan, Dashti, Kolol, Sarkavirdan, Dashtestan, and Kazeroon in Fars Province. The members of the Bahrani family were dedicated to service and assumed leadership roles as statesmen, scholars, and religious leaders. The Iranian governments of the time often relied on the influence of the Bahranis to maintain peace in their regions.

One of Sheikh Solaiman’s descendants was Sheikh Najafali, the son of Sheikh Davood. Najafali had three sons: Sheikh Mohammad Hassan (Mirza), Sheikh Mohammad Hossain (Mojahed), and Sheikh Davood (Fazel). These men played leadership roles in their communities as both spiritual leaders and respected political figures.

The oldest son, Sheikh Mohammad Hassan (Mirza), married his cousin Fatemeh from Sarkavirdan, Bushehr Province. Together, they had four children: Sheikh Esmail, Sheikh Davood, Khanoomi, and Sheikh Abdollah. Sheikh Abdollah, whom I will refer to as Abdollah Dashti was born in Kolol, Bushehr Province, in 1288 SH (1909 or 1910 AD) but grew up in Borazjan with the rest of his father’s family. Unfortunately, tragedy struck the family when his oldest brother, Sheikh Davood died in October 1918 as a result of the flu pandemic. Shortly after, his mother, brother (Sheikh Esmaiil), and sister (Khanoomi) succumbed to other diseases.

During this time, Abdollah Dashti witnessed his family’s security being threatened by the British, who exerted dominance in the region, even inside their own home. In a vivid memory, Dashti recounts watching his proud father on his knees, begging the British generals for mercy. As the youngest son, Dashti was raised by his uncle, Sheikh Mohammad Hossain, who was the head of their extended family. His own father, who had lost his wife and other children, spent the rest of his life in grief and isolation. Mirza passed away in 1937.

Following family tradition, Abdollah Dashti was sent to Najaf in Iraq to study jurisprudence. After graduation, he returned to Iran and continued to stay with his uncle, Sheikh Mohammad Hossain. It was there that he married Sediqeh, one of his uncle’s daughters, in 1930.

By virtue of his birth, Abdollah Dashti inherited an opportunity to become an influential member of his community, which he fully embraced. He dedicated himself to every mission given to him, driven by a sense of duty rather than personal profit. His actions reflect a recognition of his responsibility to carry on his family’s legacy.

As a young man, Dashti accompanied his uncle, Sheikh Mohammad Hossain, when the latter was exiled to Tehran in 1931. In Tehran, Abdollah Dashti began his career in the Ministry of Economy and Finance and eventually rose to the position of chief financial officer.

Although Dashti resided in Tehran, the government frequently entrusted him with sensitive missions that required him to venture beyond his comfort zone and what he was accustomed to. Abdollah Dashti was renowned for his devout and unwavering dedication as a public servant, consistently recognized for his honesty, selflessness, and genuine love for his country. One notable example of his extraordinary commitment to the government’s orders was his role in disarming and rearming the khans, which presented a significant challenge due to his personal relationships with them. Despite the difficulty of breaking through the traditional bonds with the khans, Abdollah Dashti demonstrated remarkable dedication by prioritizing the government’s directives, driven by his deep belief that it would ultimately benefit his people. His unwavering commitment to his duties exemplifies his exceptional resolve and selflessness in fulfilling his responsibilities.

In February 1930 Dashti was commissioned to disarm the khans of the south as part of the Pahlavi government’s attempt to reduce their regional power. However, years later, the Shah ordered Dashti to re-arm the same khans to strengthen the nation’s defenses against foreign infiltration. The emotional challenges of these policy choices and the burden they placed on him and his people are reflected in his memoir.

In 1949, Dashti became the managing director of the social, political, and literary newspaper, Shafaq-e Sorkh [Red Dawn], which was published by his spouse’s uncle, Ali Dashti. Under his editorship, Abdollah Dashti wrote a series of articles titled Situation of the South [Oza-e Jonoob], which shed light on the state of affairs in the southern regions of Iran, potentially revealing them to Tehran’s political elite for the first time.

In addition to his work in the South, Abdollah Dashti held various appointments throughout the country. In 1941, he embarked on a mission to Tabriz, which was occupied by the Soviet Union at the time. His task was to oversee and bring order to the chaotic financial situation of the region’s Ministry of Economy and Finance [Vezarat-e Daraii]. During his time in Tabriz, he experienced the aggressive and oppressive nature of the Soviet Union as another foreign power operating in the North.

When the 1927 Persian-Russia Fisheries Agreement expired in 1953, the government nationalized its facilities and established the Iran Joint-Stock Fisheries Company under the Ministry of Finance. Abdollah Dashti was assigned the responsibility of regulating the fishing industry along the southern and northern shores of Iran.

Abdollah Dashti served as the elected representative for several principal cities and ports of the south of Iran, including Bushehr, Borazjan, Ganaveh, Sa’dabad, Dashti, Khormooj, Dayyer, Bandar Abbas, and Qeshm, for four consecutive terms in Iran’s parliament from the sixteenth through the nineteenth terms (1949/50 to 1958). His tenure in parliament coincided with the terms of several prime ministers, with whom he closely advocated, including Ali Mansur, Mohammad Mossadeq, and Manouchehr Eghbal, who was his close friend and respected mentor during Dashti’s last term in the House.

In 1957, political parties were created in Iran: the People’s Party (Hezb-e Mardom), headed by former Prime Minister Asadollah Alam, and the Nationalist Party (Hezb-e Melliyoon), led by Manouchehr Eghbal, who was the prime minister at the time. Abdollah Dashti was a prominent and celebrated member of the Nationalist Party.

The period from the sixteenth through the nineteenth terms of the Iranian Parliament was crucial, marked by negotiations for the nationalization of oil and movements for democracy and Iran’s independence from foreign influence. The seventeenth term, in particular, was characterized by political turmoil and unrest, with elections facing many difficulties and some seats remaining empty during the Parliament’s abnormally short period. On August 17, 1953, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi briefly went into exile but was soon restored to power during a CIA-sponsored coup d’état. Upon his return, he dissolved the Parliament.

Abdollah Dashti’s service in Parliament, spanning up to and including the nineteenth term, brought significant improvements to the southern region of Iran. Infrastructure development, including

Abdollah Dashti’s continued service in Parliament, extending up to the nineteenth term, resulted in unprecedented improvements in the southern region of Iran. The cities witnessed significant progress in their infrastructure, including the establishment of ice factories, modern electricity plants, health centers, the construction of roads and schools, and the administration of vaccines. These social and economic infrastructure projects brought about positive changes in the lives of the people.

Apart from his official responsibilities, Abdollah Dashti considered it his duty to support his community. He created job opportunities, referred people to career prospects, and even opened his home for extended periods, accommodating individuals from his hometown who sought employment, education, medical care, and more in the capital city.

Abdollah Dashti’s memoir provides valuable insight as he actively participated in or witnessed many of the events he describes. It offers a wealth of information contributing to the broader understanding of the events that transpired in southern Iran during the first half of the twentieth century.

His life was characterized by an abundance of moral principles and ethical inspirations. He firmly believed in empowering the central government of Iran and viewed the governance of the Pahlavi Dynasty as completely aligned with the dignity and well-being of the nation. This belief resonated with the philosophy of influential figures in his family, such as Sheikh Mohammad Hossain Borazjani and Senator Ali Dashti. Abdollah Dashti himself possessed a deep sense of awareness, grace, and pride in his home country.

Integrity, humility, trustworthiness, moderation, courage, justice, patience, diligence, simplicity, and modesty—all the elements of character ethics as described by American educator and author Stephen Covey—defined his personality without exception. Furthermore, there was a gentle magnificence and intriguing sophistication in his manners.

Despite his disciplined nature, Abdollah Dashti emphasized grace and joy in life. He had a profound love for his family and expressed it by silently paying quality attention to his loved ones and never burdening them. He would prepare his own simple meals, retire to bed at dusk, and wake up before sunrise to prepare and share breakfast with his family before embarking on his work or another mission.

Abdollah Dashti’s remarkable character and dedication to his duties, community, and family left an indelible mark on his life and the lives of those he touched.

Notes on the Eyes of Foreign Countries on Iran

T HERE IS NO NEED TO review the history of the different eras of Iranian political affairs. Let it be said, however, that from the reign of the Safavids [AD 1501–1736] and after the rule of Nader Shah Afshar [reigned AD 1736–1747], radical changes in the international scene along with the increasing attention of foreign countries toward Iran disrupted Iran’s political scene. As a result, until the time of the Qajar Dynasty, Russia and Great Britain used all their power to gain and improve their influence in our region. Their competition eventually resulted in the ruinous attacks of the Russians that in turn led to the loss of a vast territory in Iran’s Azerbaijan region. Obviously, the British became apprehensive and engaged in an even more despicable act by which Iranian territories such as Herat and Baluchestan were forfeited. The outcome was British dominance in the south and the Persian Gulf. To maintain the power, they did not stop at any atrocity; they rode on the backs of the disgraceful and ignominious Qajar kings. To challenge the Russians in the region, the more Russia increased its forces to conquer territories and succeeded in taking over the rich and fertile lands of Iran, the more aggressive British policies became. These led to the 1856–57 war of Herat when the British attacked the southern ports of Iran.

The government of the time (Qajar) sent an army of soldiers to the various regions of Fars. The military, along with young men from different provinces and the tribesmen of Fars, approached Dashtestan and settled in the Shahzadeh Ebrahim Mountains (two farsangs from Borazjan). These mountains are still known as kooh-e naqarehkhaneh-toopkhaneh [drum house-artillery house mountains]. Many trenches from that time remain behind the fort of Borazjan, all along the eastern side.

The riflemen of Dashtestan settled in Bushehr. Simultaneously, the British brought many warships to the port of Bushehr. Initially, the British were defeated badly in a single attack. However, again, from Dastak, the southwestern region of Bushehr (Bahmani), they attacked from the sea and demolished the port of Bahmani. In this attack one hundred and ninety-eight Dashtestanis including Ahmad Khan Tangestani, son of Baqer Khan Tangestani, were buried in the ruins. The people of the region were heartbroken. There are many poems about this tragedy such as this one:

Khabar dadand ke Dashtestan bahar-e, zamin az khoon-e Ahmad lalehzar-e

khabar bar madar-e peeresh resoonid, keh Ahmad yek tan o doshman hezareh

In Dashtestan, where the tulips red

Are nourished by the blood that’s shed

From brave Ahmad, who fought with might

Against the enemy in this fight.

Now spring has come, the news is dear

But still, his mother sheds a tear

For though her son was one of few

The enemy numbered thousands too

From that point, the British navy deployed its forces and headed toward Bushehr. The brave men of Borazjan defended it as much as they possibly could but the force of the British gunmen was overwhelming. Therefore, the mujahideen were pushed to the eastern corner of Bushehr. There was no way to escape by land; our fighters were besieged. From Bahmani to the tower of Maqam—a piece of land outside Bushehr—was occupied by the British. With only the sea in front of them, it meant surrender or be killed. Even then our fighters resisted bravely. On foot or on their horses, they marched forth to the sea. Many of them drowned, some were saved, and what was left of them positioned themselves about one farsang (six kilometers) from Borazjan, in the western part of the village of Khosh Ab.

There was a formidable British military force led by General Gough that had fought its way inland through Borj-e Maqam, Choghadak, Ahmadi, and Isvand to settle in Khosh Ab. There they chose to encamp, either they were exhausted or perhaps because there were more army camps nearby (one or two farsangs) that were waiting to join them to form a well-equipped military force.

A large tribe called the Baigs [or Bagal] of Borazjan and the surrounding regions, usually settles in the villages of Khosh Ab, Khosh Makan, Gez Boland, Deh Now, Chah-e Arabi, Isvand, and Sar-e Pol-e Chah Khani. The people of this tribe are known for their bravery, elegance, tall stature, and excellent manners. A member of this tribe, Mohammad Reza Baig, a skillful rider and a brave nationalist, aimed to resist the enemy of his country.

This courageous man could not tolerate the pressure that his country, his region, and his family were enduring. He could not stomach the fact that a foreigner could take over his home. He planned to attack the British army. Some people brought him arms and pistols (at that time guns had a large bore and used gunpowder) and he attacked the British army riding on his horse multiple times. One