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WWI - Iraq - Mesopotamian Front - Basra - Government House
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WWI - Iraq - Mesopotamian Front - Basra - Government House
WWI - Iraq - Mesopotamian Front - Basra - Government House on the Shatt al-Arab river. Date: circa 1917
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 11575367
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Arab Basra Iraq Iraqi Mesopotamia Mesopotamian Riverfront Shatt
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the Government House in Basra, Iraq, during the Mesopotamian Front of World War I. Circa 1917, the image portrays the grandeur and resilience of British colonial rule amidst the harsh realities of war. The Government House, a symbol of British authority, stands proudly on the banks of the Shatt al-Arab river. The river, a vital waterway connecting the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, played a crucial role in the transportation of troops and supplies during the conflict. The Mesopotamian Front, also known as the Southern Persia Campaign, was a significant theatre of World War I. The British Empire, aiming to secure oil reserves and protect strategic interests, invaded the Ottoman provinces of Mesopotamia and Persia. The campaign, however, was marked by numerous challenges, including harsh desert conditions, disease, and resistance from local populations. Despite these difficulties, the British managed to capture Basra in November 1914, and the Government House became the administrative hub for the British Military Administration. The photograph offers a glimpse into the daily life of the British officers and officials who governed the region during this tumultuous period. The image also underscores the complex interplay of power and resistance that characterized the Mesopotamian Front, as the British sought to assert their control over a diverse and contested landscape. This photograph is an essential historical document, offering insights into the political, military, and social dynamics of the Mesopotamian Front during World War I. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of British colonialism in Iraq and the broader Middle East.
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