T H E C O V E N A N T E R
covered with locusts, for some eleven miles.
history Repeating itself?
On the way many men saw a mirage for the
first time, there being a large illusory sheet
- War in iraq 1923
of blue water with oases in it apparently
only a few miles away. On arrival at Fattah
The story of the founding of the modern
we proceeded to cross the river at once by
Iraqi State was a fascinating drama
means of a large raft attached to a tug. It
involving the League of Nations, the UK
did not take very long before the whole of
and the Iraqi people as the major players. A
the Battalion and Transport was across.
crucial role was played by the RAF and The
On the following day we marched on
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in the events,
seven miles, thereby bringing us within
the outcome of which was, amongst other
two miles of Baiji. Here we entrained on
things, the independence of both the RAF
the evening of May 15th, and arrived at
and Iraq.
Bagdad at 5.30 on the following morning,
Iraq was a product of the First World War
thus completing exactly three months of
1914-18. Following the dis-memberment
travel from the day we left Quetta. Nor can
of the Ottoman, or Turkish Empire. After
anyone say that we have not had many
Turkey's defeat in the Great War, Iraq was
Arabian night’s entertainment!
formed from the three former Turkish
R.G.T.
provinces of Basra, Baghdad and Mosul.
One of the tasks of the post-war League
Extract from first draft of display text
of Nations was to appoint advanced
democracies among the wartime victors
for Cameronians in Camera temporary
to a role of leading to independence the
exhibition 2002-3. former colonies of defeated nations. This
role was enshrined in the League's founding
"A sacred trust of civilisation" Covenant as "a sacred trust of civilisation".
League of Nations Covenant Article 22 Britain accepted the mandate for the new
state of Iraq.
iraq 1923, Palestine 1936, Trieste By 1923, Iraqi political leaders had
1949. become impatient to achieve indepen-
dence, and a serious rising broke out among
After the carnage of the Great War, an the Kurdish people in the north. The force
organisation was formed to prevent war - sent to quell the revolt was the first British
the League of Nations. The League granted joint operation. A senior RAF officer led the
mandates for advanced nations to lead to RAF and Army units.
independence former colonies of defeated At the end of the campaign, the
countries. Following the Second World War RAF commander's report to the British
the United Nations was formed with the Government gave the impression that the
power to send troops into disputed areas. victory was achieved by air power alone.
"A spring jaunt in Kurdistan" - Iraq 1923 There were two lessons drawn from this
In 1920 Britain was given the mandate campaign: firstly the RAF continued as
for the newly created state of Iraq. Bitter an independent arm instead of reverting
disappointment by Iraqi political leaders at to Army control as happened in the US.
withheld independence provoked a serious Secondly, the RAF's long-term strategy con-
rising in Kurdistan, in the north of Iraq. A centrated on developing bomber aircraft.
combined RAF and Army operation resulted The victory paved the way for Iraq's
in a gruelling march for the 2nd Battalion independence in 1932 - the first of the
as they pursued an elusive enemy. League's mandated states world wide to
reach self-government.
Sources: Encyclopedia Britannica
Some introductory notes on (1947),XII, 589
Kurdistan campaign 1923 New Encyclopedia Britannica (1981) 11,
995
Atlas of World War One
A J P Taylor England 1914-1945, 229
Prepared by TF Mackenzie MA (Hons)
Museum Collections Officer
35
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