W. R. Hay (1893–1962)

There are very few accounts of the immediate post-WWI era in Mesopotamia (Iraq), but this is one of those accounts. Hay served as a Political officer in Kurdistan at the close of hostilities in WWI, and into the aftermath, where the British faced a country-wide insurrection (see the Insurrection in Mesopotamia by Haldane). Hay's account centers primarily on the Irbil (Arbil) district in the Kurdistan region.
A very readable narrative of his two years dealing with the multiple tribes and regional chieftans...my marking down to four stars is solely for the reason that Hay's story is so detailed, it may throw off the casual reader by the sheer number of names/people in the text.
Good anecdotes on Sir Arnold Wilson, Lt Col Leachman (who was murdered after the war in Mesopotamia) and Maj Noel who also played a vital role in the Kurdish areas. Good contribution to the history of the British occupation of Mesopotamia and for the history of the Kurds during this interesting time period.… (més)