Mesopotamia
Basra. Army Service Corps, 1st Line of Communication Coy. February 1917
GOOGLE MAPS – Basra, Iraq and Persian Gulf.
Britain had significant oil interests in Mesopotamia in modern day Iraq. Basra on the Persian Gulf was a vital port and supply point giving access to the oil as well as supplying the British campaigns in Mesopotamia. At the beginning of the war the Ottoman Empire, with German assistance, threatened Britain’s access to the Gulf and oil. In November 1914 an Indian Army unit was sent to capture Basra and safeguard its port and the refinery at Abadan. The British forces tried to reach Baghdad but failed, and retreated to Kut where they were forced to surrender in April 1916. In 1917 after reinforcements and considerable development of port facilities at Basra, General Maude advanced steadily up river to Baghdad which fell in December 1917.
B&O Middle East. Basra. Army Service Corps, 1st Line of Communication Coy. February 1917
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