Motor column of the South Persia Rifles, 1918 (b/w photo)

Motor column of the South Persia Rifles, 1918. Photograph, World War One, Persia (1914-1918), 1918. The South Persia Rifles were raised in June 1916. Commanded by British officers, this force eventually consisted of around 8,000 Persian, Arab and Baluchi men in regular cavalry, infantry and artillery units. They protected British interests in the region and helped maintain law and order until their disbandment in 1921. The Rifles spent much time in small forts and posts guarding roads and the lines of communication to the Gulf coast. From an album of 27 photographs.