military terminology, sudan ww2

[Ross Debenham]

I include a scan of the rear of a cover from one J D Goring-Johnston, commanding officer of the 6 M.I. Company, Western Arab Force, located at Nyala, Sudan. When looking up google I noted that his rank is listed as Bimb. Can any member help me as to what this abbreviation stands for. Also it believe the M.I. denotes Motorised Infantry, is that correct

[Ross Debenham]

Sorry about that everybody, after thinking about this i believe that the M.I. must stand for Mounted Infantry as i believe that they were camel corps. Is that correct?

[ehall]

Bimb is probably BIMBASHI

BIMBASHI of Turkish origin and used by Egypt up to WWII(?). Sudan was nominally part of Egypt.
The equivalent rank is Major or sometimes as Lieutenant Colonel.

See.
http://www.melik.org.uk/articles/soldiers-of-the-nile/ranks-in-the-egyptian-army/

Ta.Ed.

[Michael Dobbs]

Ross

It would be useful to know the date of the cover.

In another context MI stands for Military Intelligence.

Are the initials within the boxed CENSORED cachet S.D.F ?  In which case they could stand for Sudan Defence Force ?

Regards, Mike

[Ross Debenham]

Thanks gents
I believe the postal date is 7 October, 1943, but the post mark is not of good quality and i could be wrong. After examining the censor mark under the magnifying glass i am sure it read S.D.F. 7 so i am sure it belongs to Sudan Defence Force.

Ross D