Hello, I am currently reading in depth about two largely relatively unknown or forgotten aspects of the War in 1941, namely: the Anglo-Iraqi conflict of about 30 days occupying the month of May that year, and the subsequent Allied-Persia conflict mainly fought from August 25 to 17 September 1941. Strategically that part of the Middle East was vitally important for three main reasons, viz: * Defence of British oil interests and facilities needed for the conduct of war and domestic fuel supplies. * The southern supply route northwards for war materiel into the Soviet Union (once Stalin had become an ally of the UK following Germany's invasion of Soviet Russia) * A land connection between British military forces in Egypt and India HMS Euphrates, initially the naval base at Basra on the Shatt-al-Arab and subsequently at Khorramshahr was a vital link in the operations to fulfil the above. Does anyone have any pictures of the facilities at these naval bases which supported units of the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Indian Navy? Such images, including naval ships in the narrow Shatt-al-Arab, would most likely be in private collections of forebears who served in this theatre in WWII. Thanks in anticipation. Regards Rattler
Rattler, I've touched upon the strategic importance of Abadan / Basra in WW2, so it might help to search here for threads where eitehr city appears. For example: From: Oil and War Yes, geography shows as you say: Except it meant crossing Baluchistan and a large part of southern Iran which was minus a railway and roads, let alone the depredations by local bandits. Plus, there was very little water. I have yet to see any account of land movement. Instead it was shipping from Bombay (Mumbai) and Karachi, complete with ASW overflights and escorts. There are a few threads here on Persia (now Iran) and possibly the most useful are those on the local command PAIFORCE. Or PAIC. For the Anglo-Iraqi war see: Battle of Habbaniya 1941 Try Habbiniya too. Try: A fascinating subject the Levies. See two small threads that I added to: Britain and Assyrian refugees after WW1 - TNA blog and RAF Armoured Car Companies - Iraq, Kurdistan and Palestine Yes, the RN and I assume others knew the upper reaches of the Gulf, which was well-known to be unhealthy and damm hot. I expect the RN used cooler places, notably Bahrain, maybe the limited Omani ports. Not in order, so back to: Somewhere here and not spotted so far is information on the route northwards, including I think some stats. Although the UK occupied southern Persia, it was the USA who came to dominate facilitating the overland route, with a new railway and better roads. Finally I have not seen in my journey many photos of naval vessels and their base facilities.
Davidbfpo, Many thanks for your response which is much appreciated. Public resources I have tried for relevant photos include the IWM and National Archives - but to no avail. Tomorrow I will try the RN Museum at Portsmouth. It's early days yet in the response chain but a private source of "Grandpa's or Dad's old naval photos" may exist ..... somewhere. Rattler
