alternatehistory.com

On 16 May William Slim was promoted to major-general to succeed Fraser (who had gone sick) as commander Indian 10th Infantry Division.


The Iraqi Air Force (IAF) was on paper better equipped than the local RAF strength. But by 10 May, bombing by aircraft from Habbaniya disabled the IAF as a fighting force.

However, the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) now intervened. At the direction of German Colonel General Hans Jeschonnek, the Luftwaffe sent Sonderkommando Junck under the command of Oberst Werner Junck to Iraq. Junck's unit flew 15 Heinkel 111s and 14 Messerschmitt 110s into Mosul via Vichy French airbases in Syria, arriving from 10 May to 12 May, then commenced regular aerial attacks on HabbaniyaPlans were drawn up to supply ground warfare equipment and also troops, but the German high command was hesitant and required the permission of Turkey for passage. In the end, the Luftwaffe found conditions in Iraq intolerable, as spare parts were not to be had and even the quality of aircraft fuel was far below the Luftwaffe's requirements. With each passing day a reduced number of aircraft remained servicable and, ultimately, all Luftwaffe personnel were evacuated on the last remaining Heinkel He 111. Only one German aircraft was lost in action, due to Iraqi friendly fire.



On 18 May Kingcol (named after its commander, Brigadier James Kingstone), the flying column of Habforce, arrived at Habbaniya from the British Mandate of Palestine, too late to intervene at Habbaniya but in time to participate in the thrust from the base towards Falujah and thence Baghdad to force an early Iraqi capitulation.

On 18 May 1941, Colonel Roberts, commanding a force of the King's Own Royal Regiment, RAF Armoured Cars, RAF Assyrian Levies, and the reinforcements from Kingcol, using improvised cable-drawn ferries crossed the river and then overcame the other water obstacles created by the flooding, and moved on Fallujah. After nearly a whole day of fighting, Fallujah was taken by the evening of 19 May. Kingcol then pressed on to Baghdad.

By the time of the Fallujah battle, British aircraft were operating unopposed against the Iraqi army. The British managed this despite the presence of twin engine fighters and medium bombers from the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) and by a squadron of CR.42 biplane fighters from the Italian Royal Air Force (Regia Aeronautica). The German and Italian aircraft were painted in Iraqi markings (recalling the aircraft of the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War

The British forces pressed on to Baghdad, where the government of Rashid Ali collapsed. Rashid Ali and his supporters fled to Persia and then on to Germany. On 31 May 1941, an armistice was signed and the monarchy and a pro-British government was put back in place.

The British considered the occupation of Iraq necessary to ensure that access to its strategic oil resources be maintained.

After the Anglo-Iraq war the British continued to build up forces in Iraq and elements of Iraqforce based in Iraq were used to attack Syria in the Syria-Lebanon campaign, which took place in June and July 1941 and also Iran in the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran, which took place in August to September 1941.
POD June 1st 1941, Slim's Indian 10th Infantry Division is replaced by the British 18th (eastern) Infantry Division - an East Anglian territorial unit. Slim's unit is sent east to help garrision the malay peninsula alongside the Indian 11th and 9th divisions of III Corps of Malaya Command. It is hoped that Slim's recent experience of close air support can be applied to good use. The quiet theatre will allow Slim to consolidate his new command. The division would be based around the airfields of Kata Bharu, Allowing 9th Division to move 8th brigade to the Krah/Grik area to defend the inland flank of 11th Division.

Division troops

* 1st Duke of York's Own Skinner's Horse (Divisional Reconnaissance Reg)

* Royal Artillery

Commanders Royal Artillery: Brigadier R.P. Waller (to August 1942)
*
o HQ
o 68,97 & 154 Field Regiments RA
o 13 Anti-Tank Regiment
o 30 Light A.A. Regiment RA

* Indian Engineers
o 5 Field Company King George's Own Bengal Sappers and Miners
o 10 & 61 Field Companies Queen Victoria's Own Madras Sappers and Miners
o 41 Field Park Company King George's Own Bengal Sappers and Miners
* 10 Indian Division Signals
* 1st (MG) Bn The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

Indian 10th Infantry Brigade

Officers commanding:
Lieutenant-Colonel B.C. Fletcher (January 1941 to March 1941)
Brigadier T.W. Rees (March 1941 to March 1942)
* HQ
* 1st battalion Durham Light Infantry
* 4th battalion 10th Baluch Regiment
* 2nd battalion 4th Prince of Wales's Own Gurkha Rifles

Indian 20th Infantry Brigade

Officers commanding:
Brigadier D. Powell (September 1940 to March 1942)

* HQ
* 8th battalion The Manchester Regiment
* 3rd battalion 5th Mahratta Light Infantry
* 2nd battalion 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles

Indian 25th Infantry Brigade

* HQ
* 1st battalion The King's Own Royal Regiment
* 3rd battalion 1st Punjab Regiment
* 4th battalion 11th The Sikh Regiment
* 3rd battalion 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles

Support Units

* Royal Indian Army Service Corps
o 10 Indian Division Troops Transport Company
o 10, 20 & 25 Brigade Transport Company
o 22 Indian Supply Company

* Medical Services
o I.M.S
o R.A.M.C
o I.M.D
o I.H.C
o I.A.M.C
o 14,21,&30 Indian Field Ambulances

* 10 Indian Division Provost Unit

* Indian Army Ordnance Corps
o 10 Indian Division Ordnance Field Park

* Indian Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
o 125,126 & 127 Infantry Workshop Companies
o 10 Indian Division Recovery Company

ATL_Malaya_1941-42_Map.JPG
Top