we invaded

Mesopotamia in 1914 (occupying Basra first). the oilfields were pre-existing and were the primary reason for invading. It was only after these were secure that we advanced up the Tigris and onto Bagdad (which fell in 1917). The turks signed an armistice in this theatre on 1 Nov 1918. It became the Iraq Mandate in 1920, under British control.

Posted By: CWC, May 24, 21:04:52