Aylmer Haldane

Insurrection in Mesopotamia 1920 Aylmer Haldane

A detailed description of the punitive expedition against Arab rebels from May to October 1920, involving 60,000 British and Indian troops.

The trouble began in May 1920 when certain Arab tribes rebelled against the occupying force and presented a threat to the new Arab government soon to come into existence. It had been estimated there were 300,000 rifles in the country and of these the rebels had between 50,000 and 60,000. Haldane had been instructed to complete the job of disarming and punishing them and depriving of rifles all who possessed them for self-protection and use in inter-tribal feuds. This book describes a classic colonial type campaign in which the object was achieved in five months. In all 12,000 British and 61,000 Indian troops were involved along with 60,000 followers (non-combattants). Casualties amounted to 2269 of which 375 were British (19 officers and 28 other ranks killed). Rebel casualties were estimated at 8,450. One VC was awarded, posthumously, to Capt G. S Henderson DSO, MC, 2nd Manchesters. There are some very informative appendices including one describing in detail the tactics applied. There is a good index.