Hi,

I'm working on the mesopotamian campaign 1915-17, and recently I have read Wilfred Nunn's "Tigris Gunboats". He often mentions artillery barges, some kind of riverine boats with army howitzers on deck. I like to represent them on the gaming table, but can't find any pictures or drawings. The real gunboats (Fly-class etc.) however are easy enough to find.

Does anyone know any kind of source about this auxilliary craft?

Charles Townsend's book 'When God made Hell' makes several references to them, some containing an element of description.There is also a photo in the book of two barges strapped to the side of 'P Boats'. Apparently the Mespot army requested some be made giving specific dimensions but the India Office gave them another design they though would be more suitable!

Great, thank you very much! I have ordered the book immediately...

It was published in 2010 so is a relatively recent account and covers the political as well as military situation at the time. I also found a photo of a barge on Google having searched with' barge'and 'Mesopotamia'. Unfortunately try as I may I could not get the photo to copy onto my message.

I think I found the picture on google, thanks again! I tried a search with 'artillery barge mesopotamia', but this seems to be one search term too much...