Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – March 23, 1981

I woke up at five o'clock in the morning to the sound of the building's anti-aircraft guns. After prayers and breakfast, I went to the Oil Company Hospital to visit the war wounded. Last night, they had brought in one martyr and one wounded person. The morale of the patients and the conditions of the hospital were good. At eight-thirty, I went to visit Fada'iyan-e Islam at the Abadan Hotel; most of the wounded were from the Fada'iyan [forces], who were managing part of the Zolfaghar front. Overall, what I had heard about the bravery and self-sacrifice of the defenders of this crucial front was less than the tangible realities of the front line and battlefield in Abadan and Khorramshahr.

I had visited this island many times before and after the victory of the Revolution, and comparing that former prosperity and development with this destruction and desolation deeply pained me—although the valor and resistance of the revolutionary forces inspire hope and promise a bright future.

We then returned to Mahshahr by helicopter and came from there to Ahvaz by car. At noon, we reached the vast, flat, but barren plains of Khuzestan. The abundant and wasted water was a cause of regret. After prayers, lunch, and rest, we went to the Hamidieh Barracks near Susangerd. We visited the headquarters of the 16th Qazvin Division, and I spoke to the soldiers in the barracks mosque. They chanted passionate slogans in support of the Imam's line. I think the commanders were terrified of Mr. Bani-Sadr's subsequent reactions. We inspected the dam under construction on the Karkheh River. This dam is being built on the proposal of Engineer Sabzevari to divert water toward Iraqi army positions. They say it will have a major impact on the outcome of the war. It was in its final stages. They were about to install the large sluice gate, but we were unable to stay to watch this interesting stage.

We arrived at the airport two hours late. The plane was waiting. Hurriedly, I gave a brief interview to Ahvaz Television. We arrived in Tehran at night. There was some danger involved; because planes navigate over Tehran at night with difficulty, the likelihood of friendly fire from our own anti-aircraft defenses is high. I was not frightened, and it turned out fine. After arriving home, some of my companions developed stomach aches and diarrhea, either from the food in Ahvaz or the refreshments on the plane.