Description
Object description
British officer served with 2nd Bn Royal Berkshire Regt (Princess Charlotte of Wales's), Palestine Command in Palestine, 1934-1936; served with Iraq Levies in Iraq, 1936-1943
Content description
REEL 1 Recollections of period as officer with 2nd Bn Berkshire Regt in Palestine and Egypt, 1934-1936: reaction to posting to Palestine, 1934; kitting out; conditions on troopship during voyage from GB to Palestine; duties as platoon commander; internal security role; local attitudes and reasons for British presence in Palestine; instruction on dealing with riots; training routine; contact with Transjordan Frontier Force; effects of Royal Air Force control; troops attitude to service in Palestine; background to posting to Egypt, 1935; why troops' preferred service in Egypt to Palestine; regimental attitude to marriage and troops' use of brothels; attitude to service in Egypt; attitude of Egyptians to troops' presence; training in Egypt.
REEL 2 Continues: preference for Alexandria over Ismailia; officers' lifestyle; reasons for return to Palestine, 1936; prior indications of Arab Revolt; return to Egypt; troops' morale; reasons for pro-Arab attitude of officers; impressions of Major Orde Wingate. Recollections of period as officer with Iraq Levies in Iraq, 1936-1943: background to joining Iraq Levies, 1936; journey via Nairn Transport; guard duties at Hinaidi; character of Assyrian, Kurd and Arab troops; intrigues and unrest in Arab Company; languages used; British and Assyrian ranks.
REEL 3 Continues: attitude of Assyrians to promotion; recruitment of Arabs; Iraq Levies' equipment, uniform, transport and weapons; superior equipment of Iraq Army; attitude of Iraq Levies towards Royal Iraq Army; attitude of Iraq Government to Iraq Levies; relations between British and Assyrian officers; reasons for move to Habbaniyah, 1937; social visits to Baghdad; effects of outbreak of Second World War; character of pro-German coup in Iraq, 1941; effects of German propaganda; supply problems; account of defence of Habbaniyah, 1941.
REEL 4 Continues: composition and role of relief column Habforce; capture of Fallujah; roles as adjutant, company commander and recruiting officer with Iraq Levies; description of recruitment tours; resulting expansion of Iraq Levies and its effects; question of foreign service with Iraq Levies; reasons for leaving Iraq, 1943.