Persian Gulf Command: A History of the Second World War in Iran and Iraq

by Ashley Jackson

This dynamic history is the first to construct a total picture of the experience and impact of World War II in Iran and Iraq. Contending that these two countries were more important to the Allied forces’ war operations than has ever been acknowledged, historian Ashley Jackson investigates the grand strategy of the Allies and their operations in the region and the continuing legacy of Western intervention in the Middle East.

Iran and Iraq served as the first WWII theatre in which the U.S., the U.K., and the U.S.S.R. fought alongside each other. Jackson charts the intense Allied military activity in Iran and Iraq and reveals how deeply the war impacted common people’s lives. He also provides revelations about the true nature of Anglo-American relations in the region, the beginnings of the Cold War, and the continuing corrosive legacy of Western influence in these lands

Genres: History, Middle East, World War II, Military History, 20th Century, Iran

432 pages, Hardcover

First published June 26, 2018

Reviews

[Emerson Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is amazing. It’s a deep and intricate history on a subject not too often heard about in WW2 histories but was incredibly crucial in some aspects (British oil interests, lend-lease supply transportation and being a good area to study political tensions between the Big Three of the Allies being some important things to consider). Outside of WW2 history in general though, it can be seen how modern Iran and Iraq were molded by the consequences of actions taken during and in the aftermath of WW2. Highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a WW2 book that has both a unique subject on a popular topic while also not being too minute or insignificant.

[James Crabtree · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the Second World War the British were fighting for their very survival, and as a result all the resources of the Empire were brought to bear. The British Empire was particularly keen on holding on to Persian Gulf oil.

Although only a footnote at best in most histories, this forgotten front saw intrigue, daring bluffs on the part of the British and strategic overeach on the part of the Axis. With manpower requirements running high, the last thing the British wanted to do was to get into a war in Iraq, but when a coup was staged that briefly brought in a pro-Axis government the British had no choice but to act decisively. Troops from India, armored vehicles from Palestine and RAF aircraft from North Africa rapidly took on the military clique known as the Golden Square and defeated them and the small contingent of Luftwaffe aircraft sent in to help them.

Britain had watched the USSR, anticipating a new front which would see the Soviets invading Iran and possibly Iraq at the behest of their Axis ally. That all turned around after Hitler launched his invasion of the USSR and as a result the Soviets and the British jointly invaded the country in order to open a supply line for the Red Army from the Persian Gulf to the Caucasus... and for the first time the United States became involved in the Middle East in a big way.

This book tells the whole story of the region during WWII and the steps taken to defeat the wavering countries of Iraq and Iran and to provide war material to the Soviets... not to mention how the Polish victims of Stalin's 1939 invasion were freed in Iran and allowed to fight on the side of the Western Allies. Not just are the politics of the war discussed but also the impact that it had on the British, Soviet, American and Polish soldiers who came there... not to mention the difficulties that Allied occupation brought on the Arabs and Persians who lived there.

Well-written; includes a map and many excellent black-and-white photographs.

[Chris Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a magnificent entry into the World War II bibliography. His research is extensive and his writing is immensley readable. He puts an area that is often treated as a backwater into the central position it was until 1943. He makes his case that Egypt and El Alamein were the edge battles that protected the resource rich center of Iraq and Iran. He also addresses the relationships, not only between the allies, but also the governments and citizens of the 'occupied' countries. Of course, this leads to how things became as they are, and points out opportunities missed. Mr. Jackson has created a great work.

The only negative comment I have for the book is editorial. This is a $30 book. Why was it not made a $35 or $40 book with the addition of a number of maps. For a work of this detail and scope, maps were sorely needed, and the three included (counting the cover), just don't do the job. National Geographic's Lands of the Bible Today, helps, but is cumbersome and time consuming.

[Matthew Griffiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important effort to further expand our understanding of the Second World War to incorporate an important theatre of the conflict that often only appears as a meeting place between the big three as opposed to the actual role it played of being a vital supply line for the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front. The book is clearly well researched, and its author passionate about the topic. I think the writing struggles a bit in as much as it doesn't flow effortlessly although writing about a prolonged exercise in managing the logistics of a campaign would perhaps tax the skills of the best of writers.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent overview and explanation of especially British military operations in the Iraq-Iran theather. Seems somewhat obsolescent with regard to the mostly uncritical acceptance of British imperial policies and suffers from apparent bias excluding the P.O.V.'s off the non-British protagonists involved in the conclicts.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of a forgotten theater of the Second World War. An essential book to those wishing to understand more about the Royal Air Force, US Army Air Force, the Lend-Lease Program, and the influence of the evil Nazi Regime in the Middle East. The book covers the majority of the war in this area, starting per-war.

[Gabriel Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

And excellent and well informed, as well as well written, study of World War II in a crucial theatre of operations. The Iraqi-Iran area was no less important for being almost devoid of serious fighting. This book fills a gap in the history of World War II.

[Greynomad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible history of the conflict in the middle east

[Stephen Boiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anglo-Iraq War 1941 and Anglo-Soviet Invasion of Iran 1941.