Assyrian Levies
Encyclopedia
The Iraq Levies was the first Iraqi military forces established by the British in British controlled Iraq
. The Iraq Levies were a most noteworthy feature of the Kingdom of Iraq
, and especially of northern Iraq during the years of the mandate, and no account of the Assyrians
or indeed of Iraq itself would be complete without some account of them.
The Iraq Levies distinguished themselves in May 1941 during the Anglo-Iraqi War
. The force thereafter grew and survived until the final British military withdrawal from Iraq
in 1955.
, Sulaimani and Mosul Liwas
, where Political Officers dealt with it. 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.
who served as a Special Service Officer in the Muntafiq Division in Mesopotamia
. He recruited forty mounted Arabs from the tribes round Nasiriyeh, for duty under the Intelligence Department as bodyguard for political officers
in southern and central Iraq. By 1918 The Arab Scouts increased to 5,467 Arabs, Kurds, Turkoman
, Marsh Arab and Assyrian
militia
.
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 Aug. 12, 1919, the force became known as the "Arab and Kurdish Levies." Also in 1919 the Iraq Levies were split was split into a strike force of 3,075 men, based in Baquba, and district Police force of 1,786 men. On 1 August 1919, the Levy and Gendarmerie Orders were published in which the control of the Levies, and the duties of the Inspecting Officer of the Levies, who were limited to inspection and administration, were defined. This put the Levies were under the control of three different people: the Inspecting Officer, the Political Officer of the Area, and the Local Administrative Commandant. The budget was dealt with by the Inspecting Officer, except in the Northern Iraqi Provinces of Kirkuk
, Sulaimani and Mosul Liwas
, where Political Officers dealt with it.
Up to 1921 the Levies had consisted of Arabs, Kurds, Turkomans. Now that Iraq Army was to be formed, the Arabs would be required to join it rather than to go to Levies. It was decided to enlist Assyrians in the Levies. In July 1922 Orders were issued in which no more Arabs were to be enlisted as they were required to join the new Iraqi Army
, 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 that its members were "members of the British Forces who are inhabitants of Iraq".
By 1923 the ethnic composition of the Iraq Levies was half Assyrians and half Kurd, plus an attached battalion of Marsh Arabs and a few Turkomans.
In July 1928 the Levies were transferred from the Colonial Office
to the Air Ministry
and its Headquarters was transferred to Hinadi.The original Levies were not Assyrians until 1928 when the levies became entirely Assyrian. The Marsh Arab battalion became the 7th Battalion of the Iraq 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 they became more disciplined they rendered excellent service; during the Arab
rebellion of 1920 they displayed, under conditions of the greatest trial, steadfast loyalty to their British
officers.
In 1920 the Assyrians had given proof of their fighting qualities when the camps at Mindan and Baquba were attacked by the Arab
rebels.
On June 1, 1932 the Assyrian 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."
rebellion in 1941 the base was besieged by the Iraqi Army
encamped on the overlooking plateau. The siege was lifted by the units based at Habbaniya, including pilots from the training school, a battalion of the King's Own Royal Regiment flown in at the last moment, Number 1 Armoured Car Company RAF
, and the RAF's Iraq Levies. The subsequent arrival of a relief column (Kingcol
), part of Habforce
sent from Palestine
, then a British mandate, combined with the Habbaniya units to force the rebel forces to retreat to Baghdad. The Levies then recruited an additional 11,000 men, mostly Assyrians but also some Kurd and Yezidi.
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 22 Assyrian companies, 5 Mixed Assyrian/Yizidi companies, 10 Kurdish companies, 4 Gulf Arab companies and 3 Baluchi
companies. Eleven Assyrian companies served in Palestine
and another four served in Cyprus
. The Parachute Company was attached to the Royal Marine Commando and were active in both Albania
and Greece
. The Iraq Levies was renamed the Royal Air Force Levies.
In 1945 after the Second World War 1945- the Iraq Levies were reduced to 60 British officers and 1,900 other ranks and the RAF Regiment
took over command of the Levies and Army personnel would gradually be replaced by RAF personnel. During October 1946 the Iraq 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 Iraq.
was handed back to the Iraqi Government and the British withdrew from Iraq. 195 Assyrians, out of 515, volunteered for service in the Iraqi Army
. At 0800hrs on 3 May 1955, the Levy's quarter guard
s 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.
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 the second May. For those who were to be discharged on that day received pay and a ration allowance for 28 days terminal leave; plus they received 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.
RAB Khaila; Force Leader
RAB Tremma; Leader of 200
RAB Emma; Leader of 100
RAB Khamshi; Leader of 50
to eight Assyrian members in 1917 during World War I
.
were awarded to officers of the Iraq Levies.
Five Officer of the Order of the British Empire were awarded to:
RAB Khaila Zaya Giwargis -1926
RAB 100 Shayn Giwargis -1926
RAB 100 Daniel Ismail -1922
RAB 50 Zia Giwargis -1926
Five Member of the Order of the British Empire were awarded to:
RAB Kaila David De Marshimun [honorary]
RAB 200 Yacou Khoshaba
RAB 200 Odisho Natan
RAB 100 Shlimon Bukho
RAB 50 Esho Hamzo
was awarded to commissioned officers of the rank of captain to warrant officer. The [M.C] was awarded to the following personnel;
The original Military Cross awarded to Shlimon Slivo.
RAB 100 Stephan Nissan
RAB 100 Baijan Peko
RAB 100 Ozario Tamras-1926
RAB 50 Eshu Saper-1928
RAB 50 Shlimon Slivo-1926
was awarded to the following personnel;
RAB 100 Warda Eshu
CQMS 65347 Baitu Marcus-1928
CPL Nikola Dinkha
CPL 55416 Misho Miro-1927
RAB 100 Malam Oda -1929
RAB 50 Barkhu Hormis-1929
Cpl 55416 Barhku Bobo-1928
Pte 55994 Khanania Yakub-1929
Cpl 1171 Gewergis Shaino-1944
L/Cpl 10575 Menas Gerwergis-1944
for Iraq was established in 1924 and was awarded to the Levies by King Faisal I for operations in Iraq between 1924 to 1936.
For similar units see:
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. The Iraq Levies were a most noteworthy feature of the Kingdom of Iraq
Kingdom of Iraq
The Kingdom of Iraq was the sovereign state of Iraq during and after the British Mandate of Mesopotamia. The League of Nations mandate started in 1920. The kingdom began in August 1921 with the coronation of Faisal bin al-Hussein bin Ali al-Hashemi as King Faisal I...
, and especially of northern Iraq during the years of the mandate, and no account of the Assyrians
Assyrian people
The Assyrian people are a distinct ethnic group whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia...
or indeed of Iraq itself would be complete without some account of them.
The Iraq Levies distinguished themselves in May 1941 during the Anglo-Iraqi War
Anglo-Iraqi War
The Anglo-Iraqi War was the name of the British campaign against the rebel government of Rashid Ali in the Kingdom of Iraq during the Second World War. The war lasted from 2 May to 31 May 1941. The campaign resulted in the re-occupation of Iraq by British armed forces and the return to power of the...
. The force thereafter grew and survived until the final British military withdrawal from Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in 1955.
Organization
On 1 August 1919, the Levy and Gendarmerie Orders were published in which the control of the Levies, and the duties of the Inspecting Officer of the Levies, who were limited to inspection and administration, were defined. This put the Levies were under the control of three different people: the Inspecting Officer, the Political Officer of the Area, and the Local Administrative Commandant. The budget was dealt with by the Inspecting Officer, except in the Northern Iraqi Provinces of KirkukKirkuk
Kirkuk is a city in Iraq and the capital of Kirkuk Governorate.It is located in the Iraqi governorate of Kirkuk, north of the capital, Baghdad...
, Sulaimani and Mosul Liwas
Ninawa Governorate
Ninawa is a governorate in northern Iraq, and the Arabic name for the biblical city of Nineveh in Assyria. It has an area of and an estimated population of 2,453,000 people in 2003. Its chief city and provincial capital is Mosul, which lies across the Tigris river from the ruins of ancient...
, where Political Officers dealt with it. Later the Levies came under their own OC Iraq Levies.
The Levies consisted of a Headquarters (first located in Baquba, then Hinaidi
RAF Hinaidi
Royal Air Force Station Hinaidi, more commonly known as RAF Hinaida, was a British Royal Air Force station near Baghdad in the Kingdom of Iraq...
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.
History
The Iraq Levies traced their history to the Arab Scouts organized in 1915 by a Major J I Eadie, of the British Indian ArmyBritish Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
who served as a Special Service Officer in the Muntafiq Division in Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a toponym for the area of the Tigris–Euphrates river system, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran.Widely considered to be the cradle of civilization, Bronze Age Mesopotamia included Sumer and the...
. He recruited forty mounted Arabs from the tribes round Nasiriyeh, for duty under the Intelligence Department as bodyguard for political officers
Political officer (British Empire)
In the British Empire, a Political officer or Political Agent was an officer of the imperial Civil Administration , as opposed to the Military administration , usually operating outside imperial territory from a base outside or inside imperial territory...
in southern and central Iraq. By 1918 The Arab Scouts increased to 5,467 Arabs, Kurds, Turkoman
Iraqi Turkmen
The Iraqi Turkmen are an ethnic group who mainly reside in northern Iraq. Estimates of their numbers vary dramatically, in accordance with Iraq's assimilation policies no realistic and independent census results have been revealed regarding the Iraqi Turkmen population...
, Marsh Arab and Assyrian
Assyrian people
The Assyrian people are a distinct ethnic group whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia...
militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
.
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 Aug. 12, 1919, the force became known as the "Arab and Kurdish Levies." Also in 1919 the Iraq Levies were split was split into a strike force of 3,075 men, based in Baquba, and district Police force of 1,786 men. On 1 August 1919, the Levy and Gendarmerie Orders were published in which the control of the Levies, and the duties of the Inspecting Officer of the Levies, who were limited to inspection and administration, were defined. This put the Levies were under the control of three different people: the Inspecting Officer, the Political Officer of the Area, and the Local Administrative Commandant. The budget was dealt with by the Inspecting Officer, except in the Northern Iraqi Provinces of Kirkuk
Kirkuk
Kirkuk is a city in Iraq and the capital of Kirkuk Governorate.It is located in the Iraqi governorate of Kirkuk, north of the capital, Baghdad...
, Sulaimani and Mosul Liwas
Mosul Province
Mosul Province may refer to:*Mosul Governorate, sometimes province, see Ninawa*Mosul Province, Ottoman Empire.....
, where Political Officers dealt with it.
1920s
In 1921 at the Cairo Conference the mission of the Levies became "The function of the Iraq Levies is to relieve the British and Indian Troops in Iraq, take over out-posts in Mosul 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."Up to 1921 the Levies had consisted of Arabs, Kurds, Turkomans. Now that Iraq Army was to be formed, the Arabs would be required to join it rather than to go to Levies. It was decided to enlist Assyrians in the Levies. In July 1922 Orders were issued in which no more Arabs were to be enlisted as they were required to join the new Iraqi Army
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
, 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 that its members were "members of the British Forces who are inhabitants of Iraq".
By 1923 the ethnic composition of the Iraq Levies was half Assyrians and half Kurd, plus an attached battalion of Marsh Arabs and a few Turkomans.
In July 1928 the Levies were transferred from the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
to the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
and its Headquarters was transferred to Hinadi.The original Levies were not Assyrians until 1928 when the levies became entirely Assyrian. The Marsh Arab battalion became the 7th Battalion of the Iraq Army. The force then expanded rapidly and became known as "Shabanas", a Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
word meaning a semi-military gendarmerie
Gendarmerie
A gendarmerie or gendarmery is a military force charged with police duties among civilian populations. Members of such a force are typically called "gendarmes". The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary describes a gendarme as "a soldier who is employed on police duties" and a "gendarmery, -erie" as...
. Its primary duty was now to protect Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
bases in Iraq.
As they became more disciplined they rendered excellent service; during the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
rebellion of 1920 they displayed, under conditions of the greatest trial, steadfast loyalty to their British
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
officers.
In 1920 the Assyrians had given proof of their fighting qualities when the camps at Mindan and Baquba were attacked by the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
rebels.
1930s
In 1931 Assyrian levies and Iraqi army units were patrolling Barzan district. Government troops implied government control, which Shaykh Ahmad still wanted to avoid.On June 1, 1932 the Assyrian 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."
1940s
During 1940/41 Iraq joined the Axis powers and the Battle of Habbaniya took place. During the Rashid AliRashid Ali al-Kaylani
Rashid Aali al-Gaylani served as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Iraq on three occasions. He is chiefly remembered as an Arab nationalist who attempted to remove the British influence from Iraq...
rebellion in 1941 the base was besieged by the Iraqi Army
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
encamped on the overlooking plateau. The siege was lifted by the units based at Habbaniya, including pilots from the training school, a battalion of the King's Own Royal Regiment flown in at the last moment, Number 1 Armoured Car Company RAF
Number 1 Armoured Car Company RAF
The Number 1 Armoured Car Company RAF was a military unit of the Britain's Royal Air Force which played a role in the defense of RAF Habbaniya during World War II.- Creation :...
, and the RAF's Iraq Levies. The subsequent arrival of a relief column (Kingcol
Kingcol
-Creation and composition:Kingcol was created to allow a portion of Habforce to relieve RAF Habbaniya as soon as possible. The column was named after its commander, Brigadier J.J. Kingstone...
), part of Habforce
Habforce
Habforce was a British Army military unit created during the Anglo-Iraqi War and still active during the Syria-Lebanon Campaign.-Creation and composition:...
sent from Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
, then a British mandate, combined with the Habbaniya units to force the rebel forces to retreat to Baghdad. The Levies then recruited an additional 11,000 men, mostly Assyrians but also some Kurd and 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."
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 22 Assyrian companies, 5 Mixed Assyrian/Yizidi companies, 10 Kurdish companies, 4 Gulf Arab companies and 3 Baluchi
Baloch people
The Baloch or Baluch are an ethnic group that belong to the larger Iranian peoples. Baluch people mainly inhabit the Balochistan region and Sistan and Baluchestan Province in the southeast corner of the Iranian plateau in Western Asia....
companies. Eleven Assyrian companies served in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
and another four served in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. The Parachute Company was attached to the Royal Marine Commando and were active in both Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. The Iraq Levies was renamed the Royal Air Force Levies.
In 1945 after the Second World War 1945- the Iraq Levies were reduced to 60 British officers and 1,900 other ranks and the RAF Regiment
RAF Regiment
The Royal Air Force Regiment is a specialist airfield defence corps founded by Royal Warrant in 1942. After a 32 week trainee gunner course, its members are trained and equipped to prevent a successful enemy attack in the first instance; minimise the damage caused by a successful attack; and...
took over command of the Levies and Army personnel would gradually be replaced by RAF personnel. During October 1946 the Iraq 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
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
were returned to Iraq.
1950s
The RAF Levies continued its escort and RAF Bases guard duties into 1954 where it consisted 1200 Assyrians, 400 Kurds, 400 Arabs. The RAF Levies was disbanded on 2 May 1955, King Faisal was present along with members of the government, as RAF HabbaniyaRAF Habbaniya
Royal Air Force Station Habbaniya, more commonly known as RAF Habbaniya, was a Royal Air Force station at Habbaniyah, about west of Baghdad in modern day Iraq, on the banks of the Euphrates near Lake Habbaniyah...
was handed back to the Iraqi Government and the British withdrew from Iraq. 195 Assyrians, out of 515, volunteered for service in the Iraqi Army
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
. At 0800hrs on 3 May 1955, the Levy's quarter guard
Quarter guard
The quarter guard is a military depot in an Indian Army unit. The quarter guard is the main point of security arrangements for the army camp/garrison. The regimental colours, the armoury and the treasury would be kept in this building...
s 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.
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 the second May. For those who were to be discharged on that day received pay and a ration allowance for 28 days terminal leave; plus they received 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.
Levy ranks
Levy Officer Rank 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
Cross of Saint George
The Russians recommended and awarded the Cross of Saint GeorgeCross of St. George
thumb|Original Cross of St. George.Ist and 2nd class were in gold.The Cross of St. George ', or simply the George's Cross, was, until 1913, officially known as the Sign of Distinction of the Military Order of St. George....
to eight Assyrian members in 1917 during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Order of the British Empire
A total of ten Orders of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
were awarded to officers of the Iraq Levies.
Five Officer of the Order of the British Empire were awarded to:
RAB Khaila Zaya Giwargis -1926
RAB 100 Shayn Giwargis -1926
RAB 100 Daniel Ismail -1922
RAB 50 Zia Giwargis -1926
Five Member of the Order of the British Empire were awarded to:
RAB Kaila David De Marshimun [honorary]
RAB 200 Yacou Khoshaba
RAB 200 Odisho Natan
RAB 100 Shlimon Bukho
RAB 50 Esho Hamzo
Military Cross
The Military CrossMilitary Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
was awarded to commissioned officers of the rank of captain to warrant officer. The [M.C] was awarded to the following personnel;
The original Military Cross awarded to Shlimon Slivo.
RAB 100 Stephan Nissan
RAB 100 Baijan Peko
RAB 100 Ozario Tamras-1926
RAB 50 Eshu Saper-1928
RAB 50 Shlimon Slivo-1926
Military Medal
The Military MedalMilitary Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
was awarded to the following personnel;
RAB 100 Warda Eshu
CQMS 65347 Baitu Marcus-1928
CPL Nikola Dinkha
CPL 55416 Misho Miro-1927
Mentioned in Despatches
Six Members of the Iraq Levies were Mentioned in DispatchesMentioned in Dispatches
A soldier Mentioned in Despatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the soldier's gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.In a number of countries, a soldier's name must be mentioned in...
RAB 100 Malam Oda -1929
RAB 50 Barkhu Hormis-1929
Cpl 55416 Barhku Bobo-1928
Pte 55994 Khanania Yakub-1929
Cpl 1171 Gewergis Shaino-1944
L/Cpl 10575 Menas Gerwergis-1944
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 Rawandus in Northern Iraq.General Service Medal with Iraq Clasp
The General Service MedalGeneral Service Medal (1918)
The General Service Medal was instituted to recognise service in minor Army and Air Force operations for which no separate medal was intended. It was equivalent to the 1915 Naval General Service Medal.- Description :...
for Iraq was established in 1924 and was awarded to the Levies by King Faisal I for operations in Iraq between 1924 to 1936.
World War Two Medals
Three different World War two medals were awarded to members of the Iraq Levies.- The War Medal 1939–1945War Medal 1939–1945The War Medal 1939–1945 was a British decoration awarded to those who had served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy full-time for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. In the Merchant Navy, the 28 days must have been served at sea...
- Awarded to Levies after 28 days of service in WW2. - THE 1939-1945 Star - Awarded to Levies after six months service in WW2.
- The Italy StarItaly StarThe Italy Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II.The medal was awarded for operational service in Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, Pantelleria, the Aegean area and Dodecanese Islands, and Elba at any time between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945...
- Awarded to parachute company personnel that served in Albania, Italy and/or Greece.
See also
- RAF Iraq CommandRAF Iraq CommandIraq Command was the RAF commanded inter-service command in charge of British forces in Iraq in the 1920s and early 1930s, during the period of the British Mandate of Mesopotamia. It continued as British Forces in Iraq until 1941 when it was replaced by AHQ Iraq...
- Simele massacreSimele massacreThe Simele Massacre was a massacre committed by the armed forces of the Kingdom of Iraq during the systematic targeting of Assyrians in northern Iraq in August 1933...
- IraqforceIraqforceIraqforce was a British and Commonwealth formation that came together in the Kingdom of Iraq. The formation fought in the Middle East during World War II.-Background:...
For similar units see:
- Mesopotamian Rifles
- Aden Protectorate LeviesAden Protectorate LeviesThe Aden Protectorate Levies were a militia force for local defense of the Aden Protectorate. The Levies were drawn from all parts of the Protectorate and were armed and officered by the British military...
External links
- The Assyrian Levies, The Final Chapter
- Assyrian battle of Albania at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- a comprehensive website on the Assyrian RAF Levies