The Campaign in Mesopotamia 1914-1918.

A finely bound set of the definitive account of the First World War in Iraq, published as part of the History of the Great War series. Brigadier-General Frederick James Moberly (1867-1952) served in the Indian Army in the Punjab for almost his entire military career, rising to Director of Military Operations in 1920.

The Indian Army was responsible for the invasion of Mesopotamia and the subsequent campaign, from the disaster of the siege and fall of Kut, the largest single taking of British prisoners-of-war to that date, over 13,000 men, to the eventual capture of Baghdad and cession of Iraq. This work attempts to vindicate the actions of the Army, when at the time the Government had laid much of the blame on them for the disaster of Kut. The Arab Bureau was also involved, with Gertrude Bell acting as liaison between Lord Hardinge in India and Cairo, but the eventual handling of the region following the expulsion of the Ottomans showed that both the British Government and Indian Army had not learnt their lessons during their time in Iraq.

First editions of vols II-IV, later issue of vol. I to accompany vol. IV; 4 volumes, 8vo (21.5 x 14 cm); 53 maps and plans, most of which in rear pockets, 39 photographic plates; contemporary full red morocco, gilt lettering to spines in five compartments, with blind decorations to boards at the termini of the raised bands, all edges gilt, touch of rubbing to first volume, a finely bound set; ix, 402; xiv, 581; xii, 460; xvi, 447pp.