The Other Gulf War, British Intervention in Iraq, 1941
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Authors
Porch, Douglas
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2004
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Abstract
Iraqi Freedom offers not only a reprise of unfinished business from the Persian Gulf War,
it is the third invasion of Iraq by Great Britain since independence in 1932. During
World War II, Winston Churchill ordered his commander in chief, Middle East, General Sir
Archibald Wavell, to march on Baghdad. The reason for intervention was strikingly similar to that advanced more than fifty years later: to preempt Axis support for Rashid Ali el Gailani, a violently anti-British Arab nationalist, who threatened British interests. The occupation would also strike a blow at terrorism orchestrated by a charismatic
Islamic cleric. Finally, intervention would protect oil reserves vital to the war effort.
Type
Article
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Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs
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Citation
JFQ, Issue 35, 2004.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.