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Image Not Available for Souvenir of HMS KANIMBLA ( AMC5), 1939-1943, Bandar Shapur
Souvenir of HMS KANIMBLA ( AMC5), 1939-1943, Bandar Shapur
Image Not Available for Souvenir of HMS KANIMBLA ( AMC5), 1939-1943, Bandar Shapur

Souvenir of HMS KANIMBLA ( AMC5), 1939-1943, Bandar Shapur

Date1943
Object number00003952
NameBooklet
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 1 x 144 x 109 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionBandar Shapur was a strategically important port in Iran. Though Iran declared itself neutral at the start of WWII an Allied force let by HMAS KANIMBLA captured the port in August 1941 to prevent its use by Axis forces and to allow war matériel to be sent to Russia via the trans-Iranian railway.HistoryBandar Shapur, known as Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni since 1979, was a strategically important port in Iran, it was the Persian Gulf teminus of the trans-Iranian railway linking the Persian Gulf with the Caspian Sea and Russia. After the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941 the trans-Iranian railway was the easiest method for the Britain (and the United States) of supplying their new ally with war munitions. To keep this link open, and to deny the Axis supplies of Iranian oil, HMAS KANIMBLA (as Royal Navy Armed Merchant Cruiser 5) led the force that seized the port in August 1941 capturing eight Axis (German and Italian) merchant ships including the MS HOHENFELS. Though neutral Iran was regarded by the Allies as pro-German. The refusal of the Shah to expel German residents was the justification the British and Russians used in invading and occupying swathes of Iran.