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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 January 2009
The events that took place in Iraq in 1941, commonly called Rashid Ali al-Kaylani or the Revolution of 1941 by the Iraqis, were very important to the subsequent political development of that country. They led Iraq to war with Britain, and most of what happened after that date, including the July 14, 1958, Revolution, can be explained in one way or another as an extension of what happened in May 1941.
2 Al-Qazzaz, Ayad, “The July Fourteenth 1958 Revolution in Iraq,” Middle East Forum, 45, 4 (1969), 63–71.Google Scholar
3 Three books in Arabic should be mentioned here: (1) al-Hasani, Abdul Razzaq, Al-Asrar al-Klzafiyah fi Haraket Sanat Alif wa Tis‘mma’ ah wa Wahad wa Arba'in (The Secrets of the 194, Revolt) (Sidon: Arfan Press, 1964).Google Scholar Contains a detailed exposition of the Iraqi point of view. It explains the political, social, and economic reasons behind the revolt. Also, it discusses the military battles that took place between the Iraqi and British armies. Further, the book contains many valuable documents, related to the revolt, which express pro and con viewpoints of participants in the revolt. For example, the British point of view is expressed in three documents attached to the book written by persons who put down the revolt. (2) Col. al-Sabbagh, Salah al-Din, Fursan al-Aruba fil Iraq (Knights of Arabisnl in Iraq) (Damascus, 1956).Google Scholar Although these memoirs are a very valuable document about the 1941 Revolt and the preceding period, it should be read carefully and with a grain of salt. The author was the principal figure behind the revolt and one of the most active military persons in politics during the 1930s. His deep involvement prejudiced his treatment of the subject and biased it in his favor. Furthermore, the memoirs were written while the author was in hiding, having been sentenced to death by the British-installed government. This situation undoubtedly caused the author great emotional stress and mental Strain which prevented him from being objective in his analysis. Also, the memoirs were written as an apology immediately after the revolt had failed, without having had enough time to consider the circumstances that led Iraq to war with Britain and without having had a chance to discuss the issues with those who participated in shaping Iraq's history during the 1930s and 1940s. The author was hanged in 1945 before he had a chance to review his work. The memoirs were published in 1956 by his son. (3) Ali, Ali Mahmud al-Shaykh, Muhakamatuna al-Wijahiya (Our Fake Courts) (Sidon: Al-Asriyah Press, 1967). The book basically rebukes the accusations leveled against the author in his trial as a Minister of Justice in the Rashid Ali al-Kaylani national cabinet. He reveals vividly the flagrant violations of the simplest principles of justice by the British-installed government in Iraq. Also, the book describes and analyzes the poiltical events that preceded the war with Britain.Google Scholar
4 See Taha al-Hashemi, Muthakarat Taha al-Hashemi (Taha al-Hashemi Memoirs), 1967; Mohamad Mahdi Kubba, Muthzararati fi Sameem al-Ahdath, 1918–1958 (My Memoirs in the Midst of the Events, 1918–1958), 1965;Google Scholaral-Husri, Sati'h, Muthararati fi al-Iraq (My Memoirs in Iraq), 2 vols., 1967, 1968;Google ScholarTalib, Mushtaq, Awraq Ayami: 1900–1958 (Pages of My Life: 1900–1958), 1968;Google Scholaral-Chaderchi, Kamel, Muthakarat Kamel al-Chaderchi Wa Tarikh al-Hizb al-Wateni al-Dcmucrati (Memoirs of Kamel al-Chaderchi and the History of the National Democratic Part y), 1970.Google Scholar All these books are published by Dar al-Taliah. See also al-Ayubi, Ali, Thikrayat 1900–1958 (Recollections of 1900–1958) (Beirut: al-Wafa Press, 1967;Google ScholarKanna, Khalil, Al-Iraq: Amsuh wa Ghaduh (Iraq: Yesterday and Tomorrow) (Beirut: Dar al-Rayhani Press, 1966),Google Scholaral-Kassab, Abdul Aziz, Min Thikrayati (Of My Recollections) (Sidon, Lebanon, 1962);Google ScholarAli, Ali Mahmud al-Shaykh, Muhakamatuna al-Wijahiya (Our Fake Courts) (Sidon: al-Asriyah Press, 1967).Google Scholar
5 See my review of Taha al-Hashemi Memoirs, Middle East Forum, 45, 4, (1969), 76–79.Google Scholar
6 The four military leaders were Salah al-Din Sabbagh, Commander of the Third Division, stationed in and around the capital; Kamil Shabib, Commander of the First Division; Mahmud Salman, head of the Iraqi air force; and Fahmi Sa'id, in charge of the mechanized forces.Google Scholar
7 For further details see Abboushi, W. F., Political System of the Middle East in the Twentieth Century (New York: Dodd, Mead, 1970), pp. 192–194.Google Scholar
8 See p. 4 n. 5.Google Scholar
9 Al-Qazzaz, Ayad, “The Changing Patterns of the Politics of the Iraqi Army,” in On Military Intervention, Janowitz, Morris and van Doom, Jacques, eds. (Rotterdam University Press 1971), pp. 335–357.Google Scholar
10 Mufti died recently (Voice of Palestine).Google Scholar
