Dyer, Major General G.m. (max)

Major General G.M. (Max) Dyer Autograph letter signed with envelope and two signed biographical statements Autograph letter 7 × 9 inches signed, dated 15 May, [19]77 on 28 Bushwood Road, Kew, Richmond Surrey letterhead with mailing envelope and two signed 13th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers background statements. Very good condition. Major General G.M. (Max) Dyer. Canadian born British General who commanded the 13th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers in Iraq, Persia and North Africa post 1941. 13th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers. (typed history by Major General G.M. (Max) Dyer The hat badge which is enclosed is that of the 13th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers whose history goes back to the days of the East India Company, That company had armies composed of British and Indian soldiers to protect their trading stations known as the Bombay, Maras and Bengal Armies.

The 15th Lancers were part of the Bombay Army and hence are older than many of the Indian Cavalry regiments many of which were raised at the time of the Indian Mutiny, (1857) In 1937 the 13th Lancers had their horses taken from them and were equipped with armored cars. They were the frst Indian Regiment to be mechanised. They went to Iraq in 1941 to help quell the Iraqi rebellion. Afterwards they fought against the Vichy French in Syria before taking part in a brief war against the Persians, They spearheaded the force which advance via Ramadan to Teheran where they arrived just ahead of the Russians. The regiment was then employed in Kurdistan to keep the peace between the Kurds and the Persians, and after wintering at Mosul, crossed the desert to Damascus, and preceded via Benesheba to the Suez Canal and Cairo en route for the Western Desert where they came under the command of the 7th Armoured Division, the famous "Desert Rats" Later the regiment were equipped with tanks, sent to South East Asia and fought in Indonesia. I had the great privilege of commanding the regiment in Iraq, Persia and North Africa. On the partition of India the (signed) Max Dyer 13th Lancers became part of the Pakistan Army and are of course, a completely Mohamedan regiment.

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