WW1 photo's, bought at carboot.

[Ruskie]

I haven't looked properly yet, but the link provided by Sami is very interesting. I would be interested to know if we can id any of the album photos with those on Sami's site which are named - maybe some of the buildings might be identifiable?

I did have a look on google maps at various ports in the area, in an attempt to id one photo in particular taken from the water showing what looks like a port with distinctive mountains (and I think a castle) behind it. The landscape around most of the ports I looked at was perfectly flat. I note that there are some mountainous areas around the Gulf of Oman - maybe somewhere like Muscat or near Ras al Khaimah?

[majm]

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/records/awmohww1/aif/vol5/awmohww1-aif-vol5-app5.pdf

This link should take you to the Australian War Memorial's pdf files, one in particular as it is about the AIF in Mesopotamia during WWI. 

Cheers,  JM

[Greensleeves]

It is difficult to pick out many of the locations, but #3 was taken at Shiba Fort.

[youngtug]

Very interesting link majm, I had a read through earlier this morning but I think that it needs a more relaxed and in depth read.

[Greensleeves]

It seems to me that some of the photographs, as we mentioned previously, relate to the Battle of Shaiba which took place on 12th - 14th April 1915.  As I recently posted, #3 is Shaiba (aka Shiba) Fort.  It is recorded that because of flooding in the area, the British moved from Basra to the Shaiba area by boat, having fitted some of them with mounted guns (I wonder if #30 is one of the boats used).  When the British took control of Shaiba Fort they dug a trench around it and added a post and wire fence (both of which can be seen in #3).  The Ottoman army attacked on 12th April but were repulsed and eventually fell back.  The British Army went after them and engaged with them on the 14th April, the British being victorious despite suffering heavy losses.

[Greensleeves]

#32 shows the British tents to the side of Shaiba Fort.

[Greensleeves]

I am wondering if #58 shows the Battle of Shaiba.  Reports of the battle state that after their initial attack was repulsed the Ottoman troops tried to detour round Shaiba, the British went forward to attack and were repulsed.  However their second attack was made sending out the 2nd Dorsets and 24th Punjabis backed by artillery fire.  This attack was successful and the Ottoman forces fell back.

[Greensleeves]

And a few other comments:

#76 - looks as though the men on the ground might be prisoners.
#67 and 68 - both photos are of the same place, the first showing the guns in place, the second with personnel and horses ready to move out.
#88 and 92 - could these be hospital ships?
#102 and 110 - collecting water, photos taken at the same place.

[majm]

http://www.1914-1918.net/mespot.htm

"This section of the Long, Long Trail will be helpful for anyone wishing to find out about the fighting in the campaign in Mesopotamia"


Cheers, JM