Award OBE Al Qaid N.O. Lash, Arab Legion (Middle East)

brithm · Nov 21, 2022

Award Order of the British Empire Al Qaid Norman Oliver Lash, Desert Mechanised Force Arab Legion Transjordan

Al Qaid Norman Oliver Lash has been in command of the Desert Mechanised Force of the Arab Legion since the commencement of the war. In April 1941, he took part in the Iraq operations up to the capture of Baghdad and subsequently the operations in Syria, against the Vichy French.

From the end of the Syrian operations in August 1941, Lash Bey has been the key man of the expansion of the Arab Legion Desert Mechanised Regiments. The original force of 350 men which he commanded has been expanded fivefold and he now commands the first regiment. But all the N.C.O.s for all the units have been supplied from the original force commanded by him. The whole Brigade which is now nearing completion has been made possible only by the years of work done by Lash Bey in the desert.

In addition to this, he has lived continuously for the last year in the desert, ranging from the Turkish frontier to Sinai and has completed many important reconnaissances and going maps. During a period of six months which he spent in the Syrian deserts, there can be no doubt that his presence and that of the Regiment under his command, did much to prevent a major outbreak of tribal disorder. While he had orders not to interfere directly in internal security, the tribes were never quite certain that he would not be used against them.

Throughout all this time, however, he succeeded in maintaining cordial relations with the Free French.
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WO 373/78/217

Norman Lash - Wikipedia

Andreas · Nov 21, 2022

brithm said: ↑

Throughout all this time, however, he succeeded in maintaining cordial relations with the Free French.
Click to expand...

He did better than Middle East Command or the BBC then.

All the best

Andreas

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Award OBE Al Qaid N.O. Lash, Arab Legion (Middle East)

brithm Senior Member

Andreas Working on two books

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Award OBE Al Qaid N.O. Lash, Arab Legion (Middle East)

brithm Senior Member

Andreas Working on two books

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