BRITISH MARCH

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13330, 6 May 1941, Page 8

BRITISH MARCH

TURKISH REPORT OCCUPATION OF IRAQ CAPITAL BELIEVED OBJECTIVE London, May 4 ' British troops are marcning on Baguad from three directions and the British commander has ordered the occupation of the capital at any cost, says the Ankara radio, quoting reports from Beirut. The British so far have not encountered resistance. The radio added that Britain has at least 50,000 troops in Iraq. The Germans since 1936 have 'been subsidising ambitious Iraqi army officers who were responsible for Rashid Ali’s coup on April 1. The Iraqi Government on the outbreak of war in 1939 expelled the Germans, but Italian agents carried on under the direction of Dr. Grobba, the German Minister to Bagdad, who worked from Rome. The Iraqi army comprises three groups stationed at Bagdad, Basra 'and Mosul, with a smaller section on the outskirts of Bagdad. The troops attacking Habbaniyah come from the Bagdad group, which has been most closely linked with the Germans. The sympathies of the other groups are not known, but conflict within the army is possible because a number of the military leaders do not support Rashid Ali. The Bagdad radio announced a decree dismissing British subjects from the State service, and told Iraquis to report to the police foreign aeroplanes or parachutists. Petrol Stores Attacked

“In Iraq our bombers heavily attacked petrol stores and magazines at Moreatraschid and the Iraq aerodrome outside Bagdad, obtaining many direct hits and demolishing military buildings,” says a Middle East communique. “Bombs were also seen to overturn and damage aircraft on the ground. During this operation our bombers also shot down Iraqui aircraft and severely damaged others.

“Shelling of the Habbaniyah aerodrome by Iraqi guns was resumed early this morning, causing some' casualties to non-combatants. In reply our aircraft carried out attacks on hostile mechanised troops and transport, which were bombed and machine-gunned. As a result shelling was reduced. All our aircraft returned safely.”