'Abadan 1914', Mesopotamia, 1914

Photograph, World War One, Mesopotamia (1914-1918), 1915 (c).

Once Turkey sided with Germany in 1914 an expeditionary force of British and Indian troops was despatched to reinforce forces protecting British interests in the region. The force advanced up the Shatt al-Arab Waterway in November 1914 and made its first major landing close to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's refinery at Abadan which was deemed an obvious target for Turkish forces.

From an album of 474 photographs compiled by Lieutenant General Sir Ernest Bradfield (1880-1963), Indian Medical Service.