66 FLYPAST February 2018
The most commonly used bombs in Iraq were 20lb Coopers and ‘baby’ incendiaries. Occasionally, when a
big bang was required, a 530-pounder (illustrated) would be slung under a DH.9A.There have been persistent rumours about alleged use of chemical weapons and
‘liquid fi re’ by the RAF against Kurds. The reality is that small practice bombs fi lled with
harmless stannic chloride were used for several purposes (apart from the primary one
of training) including target marking and crowd dispersal.
Napalm had not been invented, but there is a record of 30 Squadron dropping petrol
tins on Rowanduz in 1922, described in the unit records as “makeshift incendiaries”.WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION?
1918 2018September 4. Two Vickers Vernon
bomber-transports of 70 Squadron
and DH.9As of 30 and 55 airlifted
67 people to Kirkuk the following
day. This important demonstration
of the flexibility of air power was
achieved with the loss of two of 30’s
DH.9As.KING OF KURDISTAN
The most influential and
intransigent of the Kurdish leaders
was Sheikh Mahmoud Barzanji.
With covert support from the
Turks, he was responsible for most
of the unrest in the north through
to 1931. He had been brought backTurkey resented the loss of the
oil reserves in the Mosul vilayet
and there was mounting evidence
of their support for the Kurds. In
July 1922, there were reports of
Turks assembling behind the border
and more soldiers were sent north,
including Sikhs, Assyrian cavalry
and mountain artillery with 8, 30
and 55 Squadrons in support.
Progress was slow and the column
ground to a halt on August 31,
north of Rania which was occupied
by Kurdish dissidents. A retreat was
made to Koi Sanjaq where ‘B’ Flight
of 30 Squadron was based. Both
the advance and retreat had been
covered by the RAF, and 10 tons of
bombs were dropped.
Sulaimania was isolated. It was
decided evacuation by air was
necessary and, as a prelude, three
F.2bs of 6 Squadron landed onRight
Bristol F.2b H1394
of 6 Squadron is
recorded as having
crashed near Mosul
in 1928. The airframe
was burnt on site as
it was considered too
diffi cult to recover.Below
Vernons of 45 and
70 Squadrons were
widely used for troop
carrying as well as
medical evacuation,
mail runs and
eventually bombing.
These are possibly
at the railhead at
Kingerban.