Greetings all, I'm hoping someone can help me with the activities of the 56th Division circa November 1942. My grandfather was with the 167th Infantry (167 Field Ambulance, RAMC) and I'm writing a family history. My question is - why was the 56th Div mobilized to Iraq? This wasn't a theatre of operation or conflict during this period, so what took them there? Training? PS: I understand that this question could probably be found in David Williams 'Black Cats at War' - unfortunately my photographed/PDF copy is absent of the Iraq dialogue. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! RC
Volume III of the Official History of the Mediterranean Theatre, suggests the Division was moved there at the instigation of Churchill (p. 363), to reinforce the Middle East command, and the northern front of that command (p. 364). Do you have the War Diaries?
Northern front suggests a concern about the Germans pushing south? I mean, I know that earlier there were Vichy forces in Syria that were a potential worry, but not in 1942.
Thistle, Search here with Paiforce (the command for Persia & Iraq). there are a few threads that relate to 56th Division and some explain what they did. You could search too within thread titles for 56th / London as that may be shorter. There was a concern as the Germans pushed into the Caucasus, the USSR would collapse and thereby expose the region - that might explain their movement (I've not checked the dates). Paiforce had several roles: the occupation of Lebanon and Syria (ex-Vichy), protecting the supply route via Persia to the USSR (shared with the USA), guarding the oilfields in Iraq and Persia - strategically vital, R&R for the 8th Army, training - as many formations then went onto North Africa and later Italy - as the 56th did. Politically there was support for Turkey, which was ostensibly neutral. Whilst it was in 1942 not an active combat zone there was banditry, attempts at sabotage and subversion. Paiforce did not cover the Palestine mandate territory and the quasi-independent Trans-Jordan. Though in my reading formations often passed through both.
Thank you all for these informative responses - much appreciated. This is a period of WW2 history that I need to brush up on - it is a little obscure. Based on my grandfathers records, he couldn’t have been there too long before the 56th headed East through Egypt and Tunisia etc. Thanks again folks! RC
Some info here:_ Docs – Persia Iraq 1941-1947 – British Infantry Divisions - British Military History
RC already has his grandfather's service record. From reading another of his threads: Greetings! RAMC 167 Field Ambulance Tom O'Brien back in 2015 added a thread on 167 Infantry Brigade in Tunisia, which had 167 Field Ambulance was attached to. See: 56 Division at Enfidaville - May 1943 167 Field Ambulance is not mentioned except for three immediate medals awarded after the battle and Axis surrender: One option for you is to check the CWGC database for who from the unit died. That may indicate how close they were involved. Here is one casualty: Thomas Ferguson Sgt 7523832 RAMC 167 Field Ambulance 56 Division/. From: https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/eLibrary/Content/Internet/542/795/6637/41957114245.pdf Just found this website for a publication, a possible option as 167 Field A. was a reservist unit and is listed. The introduction states: Link: Home There are two 1944-1945 photos of a booklet for 167 Brigade, showing 167 Field A. See: 56th div card and REME photos There are a few WW2 B&W photos of 167 Field A. in training in the UK and accompanying text. See: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edit...d+Ambulance"&pg=PA312-IA2&printsec=frontcover Note this a book on the American Medical Services, not the RAMC (no sure who they were) and pg. 176 names 167 Field A. CO as Colonel F.V. Allen. Three named doctors who served at times with the unit appear in an online search, two are available and are very short. A second book on the RAMC in war refers to 167 Field A. providing training for the AMS (hence the photos) and on pg.106 shows the pre-war organization. See: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edit...Field+Ambulance"&pg=PA102&printsec=frontcover
The depth of knowledge and quality of responses on this forum never ceases to amaze me. Thank you kindly. Raymond Clark
