[Fabric Map of Basra (North H-38) and Baghdad (North I-38)]

The areas around two of Iraq’s largest cities during Mosaddegh’s final months as Prime Minister.

This fascinating relic from the Cold War, marked RESTRICTED, provides a high-level overview (issued at a scale of 1:1,000,000) of the areas around the two critical economic and cultural centers of Iraq. One side is centered around the port city of Basra, while the verso focuses on the area around the region around the capital of Baghdad.

The map, printed on synthetic cloth, was issued for use by aviators who might be operating in the potentially hostile region. The design is useful in tricky situations – quiet to use, easy to conceal, waterproof, and sturdy. The content leaves something to be desired, offering only a rudimentary overview of the local transportation network and basic geographic details.

The ‘escape map’ was published by the United Kingdom’s Geographical Section, General Staff in 1952, with military infrastructure (airfields, landing grounds, seaports, etc.) noted according to information acquired in 1944 – nearly a decade old by the time of issue! At the time, the British government was keenly interested in maintaining control of Iraq’s oil reserves via the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh’s threats to nationalize the industry resulted in the U.K. lobbying the United States to support a coup that reinstated the Shah in 1953.