Iraq Levies

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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

Iraqi Army was recruited first from the Arabs who had joined the Iraqi Levies and later from the general Arab population (Beth-Kamala). Eventually the Levies enlisted mainly Assyrian soldiers with British officers. The unit initially defended the northern frontiers of the Province of Mosul when Turkey claimed the province and massed its army across the frontiers. After 1928 the prime role of the Levies was to guard the Royal Air Force bases located in Iraq.[4]

The Levies distinguished themselves in May 1941 during the

RAF Shaibah was handed to Iraq in 1957.[5]

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."

Mosul Liwas, where Political Officers dealt with it.[4]
Later the Levies came under their own OC Iraq Levies.

The Levies consisted of a Headquarters (first located in

Baquba, then Hinaidi, and then in Habbaniya
), 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

Vilayat (province) and in Kurdistan, previously held by the Imperial Garrison, and generally to fill the gap until such time as the Iraq National Army is trained to undertake these duties."[6][8]

Up to 1921 the Levies had consisted primarily of

Assyrian war of independence during World War I. Now that an Iraqi Army was to be formed, the Arabs and other Muslim peoples were required to join it rather than to go to the Levies. It was decided to enlist ethnic Assyrians
in the Levies.

The

Iraqi Army, and those serving could not re-engage. A 1922 treaty between Great Britain and Iraq allowed for the continued existence of the Levies as "local forces of the Imperial garrison" and specified that its members were "members of the British Forces who are inhabitants of Iraq".[6]

By 1923 the ethnic composition of the Iraq Levies was 50% Assyrian, with a large minority of Kurds, plus an attached battalion of

Turcomans
.

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

Yazidi recruits, 1942, by Cecil Beaton
.
New recruits, still wearing their own clothes, are drilled at Habbaniya during the Second World War.

In 1940–41 the

Yezidi
.

"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/

Royal Marine Commando and were active in Albania, Italy and Greece
. 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

Iraqi Army. At 0800 hours on 3 May 1955, the Levy's quarter guards were relieved by guards from the Iraqi Army. A minor and passing event but it did signify the end of an era as now the Levies had ceased to exist.[13]

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

battle dress uniforms, though with RAF rank insignia after 1943. The most distinctive feature was a slouch hat
with brim turned back in the Australian style, worn with a white plume for parade.

Medals awarded to the Levies

Cross of Saint George

The

Cross of Saint George to eight Assyrian members in 1917 during World War I
.

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:

Five MBEs were awarded to:

Military Cross

The Military Cross was awarded to the following personnel;

Military Medal

The Military Medal was awarded to the following personnel;

Mentioned in Dispatches

Six members of the Iraq Levies were

Mentioned in Dispatches

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

King Faisal I
for operations in Iraq between 1924 and 1936.

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

For similar units see:

References

  1. ^ 40,000 Assyrians fought in the Levies
  2. ^ a b c "آغا بطرس: سنحاريب القرن العشرين" (PDF). نينوس نيراري. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 August 2018.
  3. ^ .
  4. ^ a b c d Browne, J. Gilbert (1932). The Iraqi Levies 1915–1932. London: Royal United Service Institution. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  5. .
  6. ^ a b c d "Chronological History of the Iraq Levies". Assyrian Levies.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2009.
  7. ^ 40,000 Assyrians fought in the Levies
  8. .
  9. .
  10. .
  11. ^ a b Stavridis, Stavros T. (8 March 2004). "Britain, Iraq and the Assyrians: The Nine Demands". Zinda. X (2).
  12. ^ "The biography of brave Assyrians in Habbanyia". Nineveh On Line.
  13. ^ a b c Solomon, Solomon (Sawa) (1996). The Assyrian Levies. ATOUR Publications. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2012.

External links