Figures for Iraqi army 1941

[Lord of Jerwood]

Hi guys

any advice on figures for the Iraqi War (28mm) I've been thinking of ww1 British in desert gear based on the few pictures I've found. 

[lou passejaire]

quite uneasy question, due to the lack of pictorial evidence ...

ww1 British , may be, or WW1 Turkish with head swap ?

and artizan arab irregulars as tribal levies or militia 

[Panzerknacker]

Anybody still following this?! I am also trying to build a force for Bolt Action - 1941 Iraq Battle for Habbaniya. I think I am going to try Woodbine design WW1 British in shorts with sun helmets and flaps and possibly some of the Arabs in Ottoman service. Such a hard force to build because I can't find any good pics of Iraqi troops at that time.

[draxx66]

Closest I've found is the foundry book "Rebellions & Risings" though this is about northern Iraq against the Kurds 1930-31. not ideal but a start maybe.

[dadlamassu]

The standard officers’ uniforms were very similar to the British khaki drill desert uniform of tunic, tunic, shorts and stockings but worn with the distinctive khuda helmet often with a neck curtain.  Some officers wore the Indian style “Bombay Bowler” pith helmet. 

 Iraqi Infantry
 
  The Other Ranks wore a short collarless sleeved shirt, shorts and stockings or breeches and puttees.  A version of the shirt with a collar was being introduced.  It does not appear that steel helmets, if issued, were worn the khuda appearing in virtually all photographs.  Steel helmets if available would most likely be the British 1915 pattern.

 Webbing equipment was of the British 1908 Pattern.  One drawing that I have seen shows Iraqi infantry in Fallujah wearing long trousers.  From experience this is sensible for street fighting or action on rough ground.

 Cavalry were dressed similarly with some variations for mounted service and used either the 1908 Pattern webbing or leather bandolier equipment of WW1 vintage. 

  At German and Iraqi request Vichy France sent weapons from Syria, including 75mm guns, 155mm howitzers, and munitions to Iraq by train but these weapons were not issued in time for action.  Given the short duration of the action the Iraqis did not have the time to train on them and perhaps lacked instructors for these weapons.

 The Iraqi Infantry Battalion seems to have followed the British pattern with:

 ·           26 + 820

 ·           154 animals

 ·           46 Bren LMG

 ·           6 Vickers MMG

 ·           4 Lewis AAMG

More in my wargamers guide - pictures mainly of my 20mm collection

http://www.caliverbooks.com/bookview.php?4e41c8d61391de06c58934f687a46b34&id=22375
 

[Panzerknacker]

Bravo! Thank you!

[Helen]

Thank you. Just ordered this guide.

[dadlamassu]

Thank you. Just ordered this guide.

Many thanks for the order!

[Helen]

Thank you!