'Iraq Command Report. December, 1932 - December, 1934. C. D. 110.

ARABIAN PENINSULA.

Published by London: Air Ministry, July 1935

First and only edition of this report by the Iraq Command (1922-1941), at the time of Britain's "policing from the air" strategy. It examines key issues including Iraqi independence, the death of King Faisal, and the Assyrian massacre. This is copy 27 of a print-run of 400. "Iraq was the RAF's biggest challenge in the 1920s. First, the area of operations included three separate fronts or areas of concern. Consequently, the operations in each area had their own unique circumstances. Second, Britain and the RAF stayed engaged in the area throughout the interwar period, and as such, doctrinal development is easily tracked in successive command reports" (Longoria, p. 19) The first chapter looks into the likely effect of the termination of the British mandate and the death of Faisal on British relations with Iraq, after its entry into the League of Nations. A great concern was the loss of influence of British advisers in Iraqi politics, and "factors affecting British prestige in the Persian Gulf". The second assesses the consequence of the exodus of Assyrian soldiers into Syria in 1933, and the resulting massacre by the Iraqi army. The third chapter analyses how Britain's position in the Gulf would be affected by the increasing influence of Ibn Saud, the development of Persian administration on the Persian coast, along with their claims to Bahrain, Tambu, and Abu Musa, the discovery of oil in Bahrain, the growth of US influence in the region, and Japanese trade. The last two chapters are devoted to developing British air routes. In particular, the report highlights the necessity for Britain to provide increasing tangible commitment to Gulf sheikhs, through the implementation of "promises of protection against land attack. by Ibn Saud or other neighbours". M. A. Longoria, A Historical View of Air Policing Doctrine, 1993. Octavo (182 x 122 mm). Original printed blue wrappers, wire-stitched. Ink stamps "For Official Use Only" and "A.P. 1930", "Copy No." overwritten with six stamped X symbols, and "Confidential" obscured in ink on front wrapper. Wrappers lightly rubbed and soiled, contents lightly toned: a very good copy. Seller Inventory # 184624

Bibliographic Details

Title: 'Iraq Command Report. December, 1932 - ...
Publisher: London: Air Ministry, July 1935
Edition: 1st Edition