68 FLYPAST February 2018
continued to the 25th. Once more
Mahmoud fled to Persia, and the
RAF was instructed to conduct
punitive raids on villages which had
supported him from July 10.TERROR RAIDS
Things remained relatively quiet
until the spring of 1926 when
Mahmoud re-entered Iraq,
mounting a series of terror raids
throughout the rest of the year.
Between June 17 and 19 there was
heavy fighting around Sulaimania,
this time with 30 Squadron at the
forefront and supported by 1’s
detachment of Snipes. Yet again
Mahmoud was forced into exile.
During the course of 1926, a
total of 3,767 hours was flown by
30 Squadron’s DH.9As, much of
that away from the main base at
Hinaidi, achieving 87.2% aircraft
serviceability.In February 1927 Mahmoud was
persuaded to visit Baghdad where
he agreed to maintain the peace and
for a time he curtailed his activities.
Riots broke out in the Sulaimania
area on September 6, 1930, in
response to an intended general
election and on the 17th Mahmoud
again entered Iraq at Penjwin.
He was ordered to leave by the
government on October 4. They
were supported by 30 Squadron,
which had finally surrendered its
DH.9As for Westland Wapitis,
which also re-equipped 55 Squadron
at Kirkuk.
Mahmoud and his followers
continued to move and by the 29th,
Surdash, 40 miles from Sulaimania,
was taken after heavy bombing. The
rebels continued to operate in the
Halebja area in early 1931.
Additional aircraft were brought
in, including a flight of 84on July 19 British forces re-occupied
the town, but by then Mahmoud
had once again retreated to his
Persian haven.
The RAF was active throughout
1923 and into 1924 with Sulaimania
the focus of attention. Bombing
raids were preceded by leaflet drops
warning the population of impending
destruction. During this period, 30
Squadron rotated its flights from
Hinaidi to Kirkuk, supported in the
move by Vernons of 45 and 70.
Having gone to ground over the
winter, Mahmoud re-emerged in the
spring of 1925. Supporters looted
the bazaar at Halebja on April 13
and in ensuing action the police
suffered several casualties. Two
villages from which the insurgents
had struck were subjected to air
attack on the 17th and five days later
the loot was returned.
In June, government forces
occupied Choartah, northeast of
Sulaimania, in the knowledge that
Mahmoud had a force of around
900 nearby at Marnah. On the
20th an onslaught by rebels was
repulsed with heavy air support,
especially from 6 Squadron; fighting1918 2018“Additional aircraft were brought up “Additional aircraft were brought up
to mount an all-out campaign against to mount an all-out campaign against“Additional aircraft were brought up
to mount an all-out campaign against“Additional aircraft were brought up “Additional aircraft were brought up
to mount an all-out campaign against“Additional aircraft were brought up
villages known to be harbouring Kurdish villages known to be harbouring Kurdish
to mount an all-out campaign against
villages known to be harbouring Kurdishto mount an all-out campaign against to mount an all-out campaign against
villages known to be harbouring Kurdishto mount an all-out campaign against
fi ghters, this time with only 30 minutes fi ghters, this time with only 30 minutes
villages known to be harbouring Kurdish
fi ghters, this time with only 30 minutesvillages known to be harbouring Kurdish villages known to be harbouring Kurdish
fi ghters, this time with only 30 minutesvillages known to be harbouring Kurdish
notice of attack”notice of attack”notice of attack”notice of attack”
fi ghters, this time with only 30 minutes
notice of attack”fi ghters, this time with only 30 minutes fi ghters, this time with only 30 minutes
notice of attack”fi ghters, this time with only 30 minutes
To p
Vimy Ambulance J7143
over Hinaidi with
uncowled engines and
clearly marked with
the Red Cross. CROWNAbove
Wapiti J9412 of
30 Squadron with
distinctively marked
wing tips and tailplane,
almost certainly in
green.Above right
Vimy FR3182 of 216
Squadron was in
use with the unit
in 1925. The serial,
incorporating the letter
‘R’, indicates that
it had been rebuilt,
usually after a major
accident.on July 19 British forces re-occupied
the town, but by then MahmoudTo p
Vimy Ambulance J7143