1914-1945 campaigns in Iraq: Learning from the past

[davidbfpo]

From an earlier thread a reminder of Iraqi history and external intervention, in this case post-1918:

In late 1920, a serious rebellion (in Iraq) against British rule was in progress; the 80 British and Indian battalions (120,000 troops) garrisoning the country were being hard pressed to maintain order. An additional 15,414 men sent from India were quickly absorbed in trying to control an insurrection of at least 131,000 armed men.

There then followed a dramatic draw down:

The army began to withdraw from Iraq during the summer of 1922, leaving behind four battalions of British and Indian troops and three armored car companies.

From:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ghlight=omissi