Battles on the Tigris

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 C in C 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.

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Some books that may interest you

Special Forces in Action By: Alexander Stilwell	The History of the British U Class Submarine By: Derek Walters	Fireship By: Peter Kirsch
Augustus at War By: Lindsay Powell	The Iraq War By: Anthony Tucker-Jones	Anna Komnene and the Alexiad By: Ioulia Kolovou
Second U-Boat Flotilla By: Lawrence Patterson	The Perilous Road to Rome & Beyond By: Edward Grace	The Mighty Eighth at War By: Martin Bowman