Iraq 1941- A wargamer's Guide
This section covers the insurrection in Iraq in 1941 when Britain and her Empire stood alone against the Axis. Europe was overrun and North Africa in danger. Written off by the Americans and most of the world the forces and facing defeat our only support outside the Empire came from the escaped forces of conquered Europe. Then, when danger threatened in Iraq a small nation joined the struggle much against the opinion of the world and of his Arab neighbours the King of TransJordan allied himself to the Allied cause creating a special relationship that lasts to this day.
It is a story of a beseiged outpost in the desert surrounded by a vastly superior foe. Of daring, bluff and outright will to win. Of a relief column of aristocratic cavalrymen charging to the rescue across the desert. Of spectacular feats of arms and logistics; the strategic deployment of troops by air, of long range desert travel, of psychological warfare and individual initiative. And of bold and resolute men.
There is a lot of information here for the wargamer and it is written that way. There is a bibliography as well for those who want to go into the history. I will say that it was very difficult to find out much about the Royal Iraqi Armed Forces and what is presented here is based on scant information, photographic interpretation and a bit of conjecture.
I have published some of this material in the Journalof the Society of Twentieth Century Wargamers No 68
http://www.sotcw.net/ where you can buy back copies and join this society. A really worthwhile investment if you are interested in warfare from 1900 to the present day.
INTRODUCTION
I became very interested in the military operations in Iraq when I was mobilised
in 2003 and then spent eight and a half months there. While
I was there I read about the operations there in WW1 and visited the
Commonwealth war graves at Shaibah and Al Amarah however it was not until a
veteran of the Iraq Levy appeared, with his ID Card, to report for duty that my
interest was sparked. This
unit was unknown to me and I spoke with some of the RAF Regiment lads guarding
us and learned something about them. By
coincidence the squadron’s predecessors had fought in Iraq in 1941. After
I came home that I became interested in the operations there in 1941. This
was partly due to the Osprey “Iraq 1941”I was given as a present and then I read
the articles by Adrian White in the Journal of the Society of Twentieth Century
Wargamers and in Miniature Wargames.
Since then I’ve been collecting information in books, from the net and from a
few veterans. What
follows are my notes written up into a sort of logical way. When
I have anything new to add I’ll submit it to the SOTCW Journal and maybe publish
it on the SOTCW forum and Group on the web. I’d
also be very grateful for any additional information, corrections, additions
that will improve the information here.
What really attracted me was a strategically important campaign where the
heaviest (only) tank is the Italian CV-33, the armoured cars date back to WW1
and the artillery is barely more modern. Where
else could I have silver biplanes, ancient transports, yellow trainers, modern
monoplanes and biplanes from Italy, Britain, America and Germany all battling it
out? Then there was
the amazing variety of troops: regular,
irregular and militia soldiers from Iraq, regulars from India, Nepal, Britain,
Australia, Palestine, Germany, TransJordan, Italy as well as Bedouin tribesmen
from Arabia riding to war in cars, trucks, busses, ancient biplanes, on horses
and camels and sailing in river boats, rowing boats, sailing craft and steamers. Where
else did improvisation and bluff count for more than military probability? If
that strikes your fancy then read on.
The campaign has all that is needed for a Hollywood epic as well – except for an
American as a lead character! A
small outnumbered and outgunned outpost of the Empire lies in the desert
surrounded by a huge enemy army and under threat of annihilation. Hundreds
of miles away a force of aristocratic cavalrymen speeds across the desert to the
rescue while the Empire sends a relief column by sea and air to the rescue. In
the background the Nazis and Fascists supply weapons, gold and fighting forces.
The modelling notes that are included suit my style and budget and if anyone has
suggestions for my collection I’ll be pleased to receive them. One
point I will make is that my models have a bit of a “retro” look to them because
most of my stuff dates back as far as the late 60s and was influenced by the
style of that period – Airfix Magazine conversions, Airfix Magazine Guides and
the like. That means
that “look” is more important than absolute accuracy.
The rules that we use also date back to the late 1960’s and have been revised
occasionally to improve play or expand into air and water operations. The
scale for forces is about 1/6 for both vehicles and troops. The
exception to this is that we generally round up infantry support weapons even to
the extent of doubling them. In
our rules that we used in the scenarios that follow an infantry company has
about 21-23 figures. Whatever
rules you choose to use, they need to favour infantry action over armoured
warfare and allow the use of aircraft. You
will see why as you read on.
It has not been easy tracking down information on this campaign. There
were few reporters and photographers because of the suddenness of the onset of
hostilities.
Salt being collected after the rains (2003)
The ground of most of this area is flat with only a few low hills. The most
significant features are the dried water courses, shallow valleys and the
occasional pool of natural tar bubbling up from underground. The
importance of preserving water is reflected in the bunds that criss-cross the
flat lands to contain flood and rain water. As
the water from the rains evaporates quantities of salts are left behind
providing a useful income supplement for the locals. The
salts around Nasiriyah, for example, include Epsom salts and in many places they
are common salt. The
land near the rivers is very fertile.
The buildings are often the home of an extended family enclosed by a wall and several of these combine into villages and towns. The most obvious building in these areas is the mosque. While the largest are the industrial complexes around the towns, cities and railway lines.
A feature of the Iraqi landscape to this day is the bund. These
are sand dams, sometimes reinforced with stone along river banks. They
vary in height and width but are frequently at least wide enough to support a
single track road on top. Throughout
the campaign the bunds along the banks of the rivers including those supporting
the roads and railways and those of the irrigation system were cut by the Iraqis
to impede movement and deny ground. They
significantly affect movement and visibility.
Having read many of the history books, visited many websites
and researched the experience with veterans I have found that for almost every
statement there is a counter statement. Buckley’s
short history is excellent (and I’ve drawn on it heavily) as is Lyman’s “First
Victory” whereas his Osprey Campaign “Iraq 1941” contains several errors though
none too serious. Many
of the commentators were, until near the end, the actual combatants themselves. And
here I commend the books by Dudgeon, de Chair, Glubb and Masters for firsthand
accounts. All of these
have their own peculiarities and sometimes quaintness in terminology. One
thing becomes apparent as the reader progresses. The
excellent but sort lived co-operation between the RAF and the Army was a signal
feature of the victories up to and including Fallujah. Regrettably
the new RAF commander stopped this and many of the histories perpetuate the myth
that the RAF won virtually on its own. As
in all wars, this one was won on the ground.
One example of the terminology is the use of the term “dragon”. This
may be taken to mean the “Dragon” gun towing tracked vehicle. However,
I think that it is often used in its original meaning of “gun tractor” from
“drag gun”. And so in
some cases I’ve interpreted “dragon” as the Light Dragon in the Iraqi Mechanised
Brigade artillery but in the Royal Artillery “dragon” I’ve taken to mean “Quad”
or “Morris 6x6” or
other gun tractor. Until
I have better sources I’m happy with this.
And now, on to the Guide, but first a word about a society well worth joining:
For those wishing to keep up to date with developments in this campaign and WW2
and other wargames related matters you really should join the Society
of Twentieth Century Wargamers (SOTCW). Here
you will find a most helpful bunch of people who are kind enough to respond to
questions and give help in finding that elusive model. In
addition you will receive the highly interesting and informative “Journal” with
articles, scenarios and adverts. Not
only that a large number of suppliers give Society have discounts that can let
you easily recover the cost of your subscription.
NOTE ON PICTURES AND MAPS: The
recent pictures of Iraq are my own. Most
of the others and some of the maps have been taken from the internet and if I
have infringed copyright then it is inadvertent.
If the owner lets me know of any infringement I will give due credit or remove them as you wish.