Iraq Levies
Assyrian Levies | |
---|---|
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Dawid Mar Shimun Agha Petros Malik Khoshaba Malik Yaqo Zaia Giwargis |
The Assyrian Levies (also known as the Iraq Levies) were the first Iraqi military force established by the British in British controlled
The Levies distinguished themselves in May 1941 during the
History
The Iraq Levies traced their history to the Arab Scouts organized in 1915 by Major J. I. Eadie, of the
At its height, an estimated 40,000 Assyrians served in the Levies.[7]
Organisation
In 1919 the force changed names twice, first to the Militia and then in July to the Iraq Levies when Iraq became a British Mandate. On 12 August 1919, the force became known as the "Arab and Kurdish Levies."
The Levies consisted of a Headquarters (first located in
), a Hospital (also in Habbaniya), and numerous numbered field companies. Some of the field companies were later organized into battalions for mobile operations.1920s
At the 1921
Up to 1921 the Levies had consisted primarily of
The
By 1923 the ethnic composition of the Iraq Levies was 50% Assyrian, with a large minority of Kurds, plus an attached battalion of
In July 1928 the Levies were transferred from the Colonial Office to the Air Ministry and its headquarters was transferred to Hinaidi.
By 1928 the Levies had become entirely Assyrian. The Marsh Arab battalion became the 7th Battalion of the Iraqi Army. The force then expanded rapidly and became known as "Shabanas", a Turkish word meaning a semi-military gendarmerie. Its primary duty was now to protect Royal Air Force bases in Iraq.
As the Assyrian force became more disciplined they rendered excellent service; during the Arab rebellion of the 1920s they displayed, under conditions of the greatest trial, steadfast loyalty to their British officers.[3]
In 1920 the Assyrians had given proof of their discipline and fighting qualities when the Assyrian camps at Mindan and Baquba were attacked by Arab forces, the Assyrians defeating and driving off the Arabs.[3]
1930s
In 1931 Levies and Iraqi army units were patrolling Barzan district. Government troops implied government control, which Shaykh Ahmad still wanted to avoid.[10]
On 1 June 1932 the Levies presented a signed memorial to their commanding officer stating that "all the men had decided to cease serving as from 1st July." The reason was Britain had "failed adequately to ensure the future of the Assyrian nation after the termination of their mandate over Iraq."[11]
Following abortive negotiations through Assyrian officers, British troops were brought in from Egypt to take over the guard and garrison duties of the Levies. Assyrian civilian and religious leaders issued a statement urging all ranks of the Levies to continue in "loyal and obedient service" until a national petition to the League of Nations could be responded to. The effect of this intervention was to calm concern amongst the majority of Levies, who resumed their former duties. Two hundred and fifty men were however discharged from service.[11]
1940s
In 1940–41 the
"They had dug trenches and were determined on destroying the Assyrians and taking their properties and possessions. Assyrians painfully remembered the massacre of 1933 in Simele and the surrounding villages and pledged 'Never Again!' They remembered the raping and pillaging of defenseless Assyrian villagers."[12]
By 1942, the Iraq Levies consisted of a Headquarters, a Depot, Specialist Assyrian companies, 40 service companies and the 1st Parachute Company, which consisted of 75% Assyrian and 25% Kurd. The new Iraq Levies Disciplinary Code was based largely on the Indian Army Act.
By 1943 the Iraq Levies strength stood at 166 British officers controlling 44 companies; 22 Assyrian, five Mixed Assyrian/
. In 1943/1944 the Iraq Levies were renamed the Royal Air Force Levies.In 1945, after the Second World War, the Levies were reduced to 60 British officers and 1,900 other ranks. The RAF Regiment took over command of the Levies and Army personnel were gradually replaced by RAF personnel. During October 1946 the Levies battalions were redesignated as wings and squadrons to conform to the RAF Regiment procedure. In December the Kurdish Squadrons in Cyprus and the Persian Gulf were returned to Iran.
1950s
The RAF Levies continued its escort and guard duties into 1954; when it consisted of 1,200 Assyrians, 400 Kurds, and 400 Arabs. The RAF Levies were disbanded on 2 May 1955, and
The British offered financial compensation, vocational training, and resettlement in civilian life to members of the RAF Levies. Those members with 15 or more years of service were pensioned off. Those with less than 15 years were given a gratuity of one month pay for each year of service. Also, the Levies received full pay up to and including 2 May. Those who were to be discharged on that day received pay and a ration allowance for 28 days terminal leave; plus a civilian clothing allowance and a free railway pass to their homes. Those Levies receiving vocational training had their current rates of pay and allowances continue until the end of their training.[13]
Levy ranks and uniforms
Levy officer ranks were derived from ancient Assyrian military ranks:
- Rab Khaila: force leader
- Rab Tremma: leader of 200
- Rab Emma: leader of 100
- Rab Khamshi: leader of 50
Throughout most of their history the Levies wore standard British tropical service and
Medals awarded to the Levies
Cross of Saint George
The
Order of the British Empire
A total of ten Orders of the British Empire were awarded to officers of the Iraq Levies.
Five OBEs were awarded to:
- Rab Khaila Zaya Giwargis – 1926
- Rab Emma Shayin Giwargis – 1926
- Rab Emma Daniel Malik Ismail – 1922
- Rab Khamshi Zaia Giwargis – 1926
Five MBEs were awarded to:
- Rab Kaila Dawid Mar Shimun [honorary]
- Rab Tremma Yacouv Khoshaba
- Rab Tremma Odishu Natan
- Rab Emma Shlimon Bukho
- Rab Khamshi Eshu Hamzo
Military Cross
The Military Cross was awarded to the following personnel;
- The original Military Cross awarded to Shlimon Slivo.
- Rab Emma Stepan Nissan
- Rab Emma Isaac Sulaqa Gilyana – 1928
- Rab Emma Shamoon Khoshaba – 1928
- Rab Emma Baijan Peko
- Rab Emma Ozariu Tamraz – 1926
- Rab Khamshi Eshu Saper – 1928
- Rab Khamshi Shlimon Sliwa – 1926
Military Medal
The Military Medal was awarded to the following personnel;
- Rab Emma Warda Eshu
- CQMS 65347 Baitu Marqus– 1928
- Corporal Nikola Dinkha
- Corporal 55416 Mishu Miro – 1927
Mentioned in Dispatches
Six members of the Iraq Levies were
- Rab Emma Malam Odai – 1929
- Rab Khamshi Barkhu Hormis – 1929
- Corporal 55416 Barhku Babu – 1928
- Private 55994 Khanania Yakob – 1929
- Corporal 1171 Gewergis Shinu – 1944
- Lance Corporal 10575 Menaz Gerwergis – 1944
The King has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East:-
"... Lincoln Regiment - Capt. H. J. C. Thomas, MBE (64588), attached Iraq Levies ..."
(London Gazette, 23 December 1941)
Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct
Over 300 Medals for Long Service and Good Conduct awarded for over fifteen years service in the Assyrian Levies.
King George Medal with Clasp
Dozens of King George Medals with Clasp were awarded in 1922 for operations in Rawanduz in Northern Iraq.
General Service Medal with Iraq Clasp
The
World War Two Medals
Three different World War Two Medals were awarded to members of the Iraq Levies.
- The War Medal 1939–1945 - Awarded to Levies after 28 days of service in World War II.
- The 1939-1945 Star- Awarded to Levies after six months service in World War II.
- The Italy Star - Awarded to parachute company personnel that served in Albania, Italy and/or Greece.
See also
- RAF Iraq Command
- RAF Habbaniya
- RAF Shaibah
- RAF Regiment
- Kirkuk Massacre of 1924
- Simele massacre
- Iraqforce
For similar units see:
References
- ^ 40,000 Assyrians fought in the Levies
- ^ a b c "آغا بطرس: سنحاريب القرن العشرين" (PDF). نينوس نيراري. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 August 2018.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-59333-413-0.
- ^ a b c d Browne, J. Gilbert (1932). The Iraqi Levies 1915–1932. London: Royal United Service Institution. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ISBN 978-0-89950-564-0.
- ^ a b c d "Chronological History of the Iraq Levies". Assyrian Levies.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2009.
- ^ 40,000 Assyrians fought in the Levies
- ISBN 978-0-80323-7-339.
- ISBN 978-0-06017-000-4.
- ISBN 978-1-85043-4-160.
- ^ a b Stavridis, Stavros T. (8 March 2004). "Britain, Iraq and the Assyrians: The Nine Demands". Zinda. X (2).
- ^ "The biography of brave Assyrians in Habbanyia". Nineveh On Line.
- ^ a b c Solomon, Solomon (Sawa) (1996). The Assyrian Levies. ATOUR Publications. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2012.