An interesting map of Basra City and surrounding area as used on the ground during the assault on Basra in April 2003 by Corporal J. S. Cooke, M.C., Irish Guards, later Parachute Regiment, scale 1:15,000, marked ‘Secret’, produced by Engr. Int. Geo. Cell HQ 1 (UK) Armoured Division, annotated by hand with numerous positions and showing such things as Ba’ath H.Q., Al Basrah Prison, Fedayeen, etc., contained within an oak glazed frame, 75cm by 68cm, also contained within the frame is a colour photograph of Corporal Cooke’s platoon, together with three cloth badges as worn by him in Iraq, good condition £300-500

Sold with a five-page printed account written by Cooke and including a photograph of him in uniform, detailing his time in Iraq and giving detail of the actions that took place at a number of the locations identified on the map.

Corporal J. S. Cooke served with the Irish Guards in Iraq who were the first regiment to cross the bridge into Basra City and was in the second tank on the assault of the university complex. He subsequently went on to serve with The Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan where he was awarded a Military Cross for rescuing a civilian interpreter who had been wounded in a Taliban ambush.