Rashid Ali Government in Iraq

This article is about the specific polity Rashid Ali Government in Iraq and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.

If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here:All Statistics

Was a short-lived government in Iraq that was loyal to the Axis Powers. On 1 April, Rashid Ali and the Golden Square (four senior military commanders) seized power in a coup d'état with assistance from Germany and Italy.

Establishment

April 1941: On 1 April, Rashid Ali and the Golden Square (four senior military commanders) seized power in Iraq with a coup d'état. Rashid Ali had seized power during the Second World War with assistance from Germany and Italy.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. World War II

Was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 (it started sooner in certain regions) between the Axis Powers (mainly Germany, Japan and Italy) and the Allies (mainly the Soviet Union, the U.S.A., the U.K., China and France). It was the war with more fatalities in history. The war in Asia began when Japan invaded China on July 7, 1937. The war in Europe began when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. The war ended with the complete defeat of the Axis powers, which were occupied by the Allies.

1.1.World War II (Middle Eastern Theatre)

Was the Middle Eastern theatre of World War II.

1.1.1.Anglo-Iraqi War

Was a British-led Allied military campaign during the Second World War against the Kingdom of Iraq.

April 1941: In response to the initial Iraqi moves, the 10th Indian Infantry Division, under Major-General Fraser, occupied Basra airport, the city's docks, and the power station. Elements of the 20th Indian Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier Powell, were used to occupy these sites. Between 18 and 29 April, two convoys had landed this brigade in the Basra area.

May 1941: Late on 6 May, the Iraqis besieging Habbaniya pulled out. By dawn on Wednesday 7 May, RAF armoured cars reconnoitred the top of the escarpment and reported it to be deserted.

May 1941: Starting on 7 May and ending 8 May, elements of the 20th Indian Infantry Brigade and the 21st Indian Infantry Brigade captured Ashar, near Basra.

May 1941: Having secured Fallujah, Roberts returned to Shaibah and to his duties with the 10th Indian Infantry Division.

May 1941: On the morning of 31 May, the Mayor of Baghdad and a delegation approached British forces at the Washash Bridge. With the Mayor was Sir Kinahan Cornwallis, the British Ambassador, who had been confined to the British Embassy in Baghdad for the past four weeks. Terms were quickly reached and an armistice was signed. Iraq fell under British occupation.