Anglo-Iraqi War more serious

The Vulture

Banned
How could the Anglo-Iraqi war have tied up more British troops and generally gone on longer and been more costly? Perhaps if the Italians or Germans were to try and meet up with Rashid Ali's forces?
 
How much support within the Iraqi military and the general Iraqi populace did Rashid Ali have?
 

Ak-84

Banned
The British had several divisions of Indian Troops available nearby. Would have had to grow to ASB levels for more British* troops to be sent from the UK.

*Not counting the British battalions attached to Indian Army, something like 3 to a division.
 

Markus

Banned
How could the Anglo-Iraqi war have tied up more British troops and generally gone on longer and been more costly?

After the quick defeat of the Iraqi Military resistance continues in the form of an insurgency that is supported by a large part of the population and requires a large force to garrison and pacify Iraq.
 

The Vulture

Banned
After the quick defeat of the Iraqi Military resistance continues in the form of an insurgency that is supported by a large part of the population and requires a large force to garrison and pacify Iraq.

That sounds vaguely familiar.
 
After the quick defeat of the Iraqi Military resistance continues in the form of an insurgency that is supported by a large part of the population and requires a large force to garrison and pacify Iraq.

In the 1940s the Iraqi general population is far too lightly armed to mount an insurgency of the kind you suggest and the British are substantially more ruthless.
 

Markus

Banned
The defeat of Raschid Ail is followed by a periode of general lawlessness lasting long enough for the plundering of arms depots(like in OTL).
Eventually the Brits will get the situation under control but it will take more time and troops than in OTL and that was the WI is about.
 
In another discussion about Rashid Ali (I think it was the "Minor Axis Power" thread), someone said that if the Germans used Vichy Syria to greater effect, they could have helped Ali more.
 
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