Force History
CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY
OF THE IRAQ LEVIES
1940-1941- The Iraqi forces joined the Axis powers. The battle for Habbaniya took place. the force was increased by another 11,000 recruits, mostly Assyrian, but also Kurd and Yezidi.
1942- The force consisted of; H.Q, Depot, Specialist Assyrian companies, 40 service companies and a new parachute company, which consisted of 75% Assyrian and 25% Kurd. A disciplinary code was drawn up based largely on the Indian Army act. A ruling was also received from the embassy that under the existing treaty arrangements and Ordinances, it was lawful for all members of the British Forces to be subject to British, Indian or other Military Law.
1942 April 8th - A number 17 Assyrian company truck overturns at Quayara, North Iraq, No 2637 Pte Gewergis Yousiph was Killed and the driver No 1288 Yousip Youkhana received serious internal injuries and was hospitalised in Mosul.
1943- Force strength stood at; 166 British officers, 22 Assyrian companies, 5 Assyrian/Yizidi companies, 10 Kurdish companies, 4 Gulf Arab companies and 3 Baluchi companies. In addition, 11 Assyrian companies were serving in Palestine and 4 in Cyprus. The Parachute Company was embodied in the Royal Marine Commando and later were used in operations in Albania and Greece. 400 Assyrian joined from Syria, they were used in the specialist’s communication companies. Ex-officer Malik Yacou Ismail also joined as a RAB 200. The name of the force was changed to Royal Air Force Levies.
1944- After the invasion of Normandy, consideration was given to the post war strength of the Levies. Proposals were put forward cutting down the establishment to allow only for necessary numbers to protect RAF instillations in Iraq and Persia. November- an Assyrian mobile battalion was formed out of the existing companies and stationed at Habbaniya as a striking force, the parachute company being absorbed in this battalion.
1945- It was decided by Air ministry that post war strength should consist of 60 British officers and 1,900 other ranks. It was also decided that the RAF Regiment should take over command of the Levies and Army personnel would gradually be replaced by RAF personnel. Disbandment of companies started to meet the new establishment.
Order of battle
1/August 1945
1st Battalion
Record Office Habbaniya--15th Assyrian company less one platoon -Habbaniya--39th Kurdish company less one platoon -Habbaniya--27th Kurdish company -Majara--41st Kurdish coy -Karind--33rd Yizidi coy -Karind--1 platoon 39th Kurdish coy -Karind--3rd Assyrian coy -Baghdad West--1 platoon 15th Assyrian coy - H.3--34th signal coy -Habbaniya--35th Motor--Transport coy -Habbaniya--37th H.Q. coy Habbaniya--Training coy -Habbaniya--Paratroop reinforcement platoon -Habbaniya.
2nd Battalion
A company -Habbaniya/B company -Habbaniya/C company -Habbaniya/D company -Habbaniya/HQ Company -Habbaniya/Paratroop coy -Karind/2nd Assyrian coy less one platoon -Mosul/2nd Assyrian coy one platoon -Ser Amadia/17th Assyrian coy -Tehran/49th Assyrian/Yizidi coy less one platoon -Hamadan
3rd Battalion
13th Kurdish coy -Nicosia/44th Kurdish coy less one platoon -Nicosia/44th Kurdish coy one platoon - Lakatamia/40th Kurdish coy -Famagusta/4th Assyrian coy less one platoon -Beirut/4th Assyrian coy one platoon -Aleppo.
4th Battalion
30th Kurdish coy - Ras el Ain/16th Assyrian coy -Ras el Ain/8th Kurdish coy -In transit to Habbaniya
5th Battalion
21st Assyrian coy -Maquil/5th Arab coy -Shaibah/6th Arab coy -Shaibah/24th Arab coy -Shaibah/47th Arab coy -Shaibah/51st Arab coy -Zubair/1st Assyrian coy -Bahrain/29th Assyrian/Yizidi coy -Sharjah/19th Assyrian coy 2 platoons -Sharjah/19th Assyrian coy less two platoons -Jask/29th Assyrian/Yizidi Squadron Sharjah/19th Assyrian squadron two flights -Sharjah/19th Assyrian squadron less two flights -Jask/36th Hospital squadron -Habbaniya.
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