INTER WAR 100 YEARS OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
February 2018 FLYPAST 67to Iraq from exile in 1922 in the
hope that he might control Kurdish
elements, but instead he fomented
unrest.
In December 1922 Britain
announced that it would allow
a Kurdish government for Iraqi
Kurdistan. Family and tribal
differences ensured that a cohesive
administration was impossible.
Many Kurds felt that Mahmoud, the
self-styled ‘King of Kurdistan’, was
becoming too powerful.
With a growing threat from
Turkey, in early January 1923 the
recently appointed commander,
AVM John Salmond, brought
infantry, cavalry and artillery to
Mosul and created an ‘Aerowing’
of five squadrons. All ground units
had RAF liaison officers to ensure
effective use of supporting aircraft.
On January 24 the Vernons of
45 Squadron flew to Mosul in
preparation for bombing. The Turks
withdrew following raids on villages
near the border.
Intelligence suggested that an
attack on Koi Sanjaq was imminent,
so ten Vernons airlifted 331 troops
from the railhead at Kingerban
to Kirkuk in late February. The
following month Vernons raided
villages between Sulaimania and
Penjwin. Mahmoud had been called
to Baghdad to give assurances, but
when these were not forthcoming,
attacks were carried out on the
outskirts of Sulaimania.
MAKESHIFT AIRSTRIPS
By early March the threat from
Turkey was receding, so most of the
Mosul force was transferred to the
east to deal with Mahmoud. Two
columns were formed, one to secure
Koi Sanjaq, and the other to contain
Erbil. They were supported by 1, 30
and 55 Squadrons at Mosul and 6 at
Kirkuk, while 1’s Snipes maintained
a reconnaissance capability. The area
was secured by April 20.
This offensive saw the first mass
casualty evacuation by the RAF.
In 95 sorties 198 soldiers suffering
from diarrhoea and dysentery were
airlifted from Kirkuk to Baghdad by
12 Vernons of 45 and 70 Squadrons.
The benefits of having aircraft
immediately to hand for a variety of
roles impressed Salmond. On March
12 he was flown some 550 miles
around the threatened front before
attending conferences in Baghdad
the same day.Supply flights were commonplace.
A typical cargo load flown in one
day might include four tons of
barley (for mules), and 3,000 pairs
of socks and 1,000 boots.
An airlift of 6,000 British and
Indian troops departed Kirkuk on
May 12 reaching Sulaimania on
the 16th. Mahmoud was caught off
guard, and he crossed into Persia
(present-day Iran) on the 21st.
Initially the troops were supplied
via makeshift airstrips, but as
more mountainous country was
encountered airdrops became a
necessity. Throughout the campaign
ground forces were able to move
relatively swiftly thanks to a
combination of RAF reconnaissance
and supply.FAIR WARNING
A year later, friction between
Muslims and Assyrians in Kirkuk
on May 4, 1924 resulted in the
despatch of 145 men of the RoyalInniskilling Fusiliers by Vernons of
45 and 70 Squadrons in the second
significant troop lift. The trouble
had started when levies broke up
a demonstration in the bazaar
at Sulaimania, opening fire and
causing casualties.
Mahmoud declared jihad against
the Assyrians and British – a
response was not long in coming.
On May 18, DH.9As of 30
Squadron were flown to Kirkuk
where they remained until February- Eight days later, 6 and 8
Squadrons followed while 55 and
elements of 45 and 70 deployed to
the railhead at Kingerban, bringing
the total number of aircraft in the
area to 42.
The RAF warned that it would
attack Sulaimania if Mahmoud
did not submit and the threat was
carried out on May 27 and 28 when
28 tons of bombs were dropped.
Extensive damage was done and
MAKESHIFT AIRSTRIPS
By early March the threat fromInniskilling Fusiliers by Vernons of
45 and 70 Squadrons in the second“Supply fl ights were commonplace. A
typical cargo load fl own in one day might
include four tons of barley (for mules), and
3,000 pairs of socks and 1,000 boots”Left
DH.9A E8650
‘Trelawny’, trailing
fl ight leader’s
streamers and
displaying 84
Squadron’s playing
card symbol – in this
case, hearts.Below left
DH.9As of 55
Squadron being
refuelled by hand
from four-gallon tins
on a strip in Kurdistan
in 1925.