Battles on the Tigris: The Mesopotamian Campaign of the First World War [Paperback]

In 1914 the British expedition to Mesopotamia set out with the modest ambition of protecting the oil concession in Southern Persia but, after numerous misfortunes, ended up capturing Baghdad and Northern Towns in Iraq.Initially the mission was successful in seizing Basra but the British under Generals Nixon and Townshend, found themselves drawn North, becoming besieged by the Turks at Kut. After various failed relief attempts the British surrendered and the prisoners suffered appalling indignities and hardship, culminating in a death march to Turkey.In 1917 General Maude was appointed CinC but, as usual in Iraq, policy kept changing. Hopes that the Russians would come into the war were dashed by the Revolution. Operations were further frustrated by the hottest of summers. Fighting against the Turks continued right up to the Armistice. The conduct of the Campaign was subject to a Commission of Inquiry which was highly critical of numerous individuals and the administrative arrangements.In 1914 the British expedition to Mesopotamia set out with the modest ambition of protecting the oil concession in Southern Persia but, after numerous misfortunes, ended up capturing Baghdad and Northern Towns in Iraq.Fills an important gap in recent bibliography of WW1.A little known but dramatic campaign, which has been ignored by historians.Numerous intriguing and topical comparisons with current events in Iraq.The appalling mistreatment of British POWs by Turks make for shocking reading, on level of that by Japanese in WW2.Scandalous levels of incompetence, including outrageously poor medical evacuation arrangements, by military authorities blend with many acts of great courage and sacrifice.GB