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Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0394.PDF
JUNE 19, 1924 factor in the success of the operations. Aircraft in a similar way proved effective in checking sniping. Over 4 tons of barley (a day's ration for the column) were dropped by Vernons in one day. Although the country was in this case particularly unsuitable for such an operation, and little time had been available to make the best prepara tion, a considerable part of the total successfully reached the column. The wear and tear on boots and socks was pro digious, and during the operations 1,000 pairs boots and 3,000 pairs socks, together with a considerable quantity of similar stores, urgently required, were supplied by air. I am confident that when this method of emergency supply has been more fully investigated and worked out it will prove a valuable asset for a commander to have at his disposal in warfare of this type. Some 200 dysentry and diarrhoea cases which had developed during the return march were evacuated by Vernons to Baghdad from Girde Tilleh, a point more than 60 miles from Arbil and some 200 miles from Baghdad. These cases must otherwise have had a six days' journey on donkeys, and at least have suffered severely. One Vernon while carrying sick made a forced landing in the most difficult country A medical officer was skilfully landed at the machine by a Bristol Fighter, which also removed three of the serious cases. The remainder were brought into Koi Sanjak by donkeys whence they were evacuated by air. There must be many occasions in this type of warfare in which evacuation by air is the only possible satisfactory method. In a later despatch, after the Turkish troops under Euz Demir had been forced to cross the Persian frontier, where they were disarmed, Sir John describes the final opera tions against Shaikh Mahmoud. who still remained obdurate. Here, again, aircraft played an important part, and, as Sir John states, it was without doubt largely due to those air attacks directed against Shaikh Mahmoud and his forces that he was unable either to perfect his organisation or to raise the tribes for resistance to the column. Sir John, in this second dispatch, also sets forth a few instances in which aircraft had rendered some of the special services for which they are peculiarly adapted, as follows :— Aircraft enabled me to visit, on the day previous to that on which the column was timed to attack the Bazian Pass, each sector of the Kurdish front. Kirkuk, Arbil Rowanduz and Mosul, and to return to Kirkuk at dawn to be at hand when the attack on the pass would be in progress. Independent air attacks on Shaikh Mahmoud, in the initial stages of the march, beyond doubt largely deterred the tribes from rallying to his support. Throughout the operation the closest touch was maintained by the column with my headquarters, and with the air forces co-operating, by means of the R.A.F. W/T Mobile Pack Set and the Air Message Section which accompanied the R.A.F. liaison officer. Air message organisation, freely used, again proved on many occasions its unique value. Several urgent messages were picked up from the column, which, owing to atmo spheric conditions, could not at that time have been sent by wireless. On at least two instances aircraft were immediately acquainted in this way with changes in the situation, and modifications made in the original instructions with which thev had started out on their patrol. Air reconnaissances promptly furnished specific informa tion, and reports asked for by the column by picked up messages. Continuous patrols were arranged when the column was traversing a difficult pass. Villages ahead of. and out of reach of, the column known to contain hostile elements were attacked. A delicate W/T transmitter was successfully dropped by parachute. From experience gained in the Margah district it is clear that aircraft may be of great service in preventing the with drawal of mounted bands of irregulars from the villages and districts against which the column is marching and in turning back the inhabitants removing their flocks. It must always be a formidable difficulty in this type of guerilla or tribal warfare that the superior mobility of irre gulars on their lightly loaded hill ponies and of tribesmen with their flocks, over the fastest moving column of organised troops enables them to make good their escape, even at the shortest notice, and renders complete surprise almost im possible. I am of the opinion, however, that it will be found when further experience has been gained of co-operation in this type of warfare that in sending forward low flying aircraft at dawn, into the zone to be visited during the day by the column, to close the roads of escape, much may be done to solve this difficult military problem. By the evacuation of 47 sick by air out of the hostile area the need was avoided of detaching a considerable post or marching escort from the column for their protection, and an appreciable economy of force effected. While crossing over a very difficult mountain range the column owing to the nature of the narrow hill track was much lengthened out. Close and continuous air patrols afforded protection to the column throughout the day." At the end of the supplement are given the names of those who have received rewards for distinguished service in con nection with these operations. These will be found in our " Honours " section on p. 392. E E E E THE ROYAL AIR FORCE AERIAL PAGEANT AMONGST the many attractions of the fifth R.A.F. Aerial Pageant, which takes place at Hendon on June 28, will be a grand parade of new types of military and naval aircraft which have been developed for home defence and other purposes. These will be flown in public at the Pageant for the first time. During the afternoon the members of the Royal party and other distinguished guests will visit the aircraft park and inspect the new types of aircraft before the fly past. High-speed single-seater fighter aircraft will be represented, amongst others, by the " Grebe II " (fitted with an air-cooled Siddeley " Jaguar " engine), built by the Gloucestershire Aircraft Company, and by the " Woodcock," equipped with the Bristol " Jupiter " radial engine, and built by the H. G. Hawker Engineering Company. Both these aircraft have high performances, and are two of the latest productions for air fighting purposes. A two-seater land fighter, with a Napier " Lion " engine, will be the Vickers " Venture," while another machine built for similar duties will be the Bristol " Bullfinch," which has an air-cooled " Jupiter " engine. Bombing aircraft will be represented by the Handley Page " Hyderabad " and the Vickers " Virginia." The first machine has been desigued as a mcdiumirange night bomber, and has a speed, with full military load, of over 100 miles an hour. It is a development of the commercial type which is now flying on Continental air routes. The "Virginia" has been produced for long-distance bombing purposes, and, while its speed is not so great as the " Hyderabad," it has other qualities which make it a noteworthy advance on this particular type of aircraft. The use of aircraft for the speedy transport of sick and wounded was well illustrated in operations which took place in Iraq last year, when more than 200 cases were transported by aircraft in the course of a few hours, under conditions which would have made it impossible for them to be brought to the base hospital by ordinary rneans of transport in less than several days. The possibility of using aircraft for such purposes has long been recognised, and two ambulance machines which embody the latest appliances for dealing with medical and surgical cases will be present at the Pageant to illustrate the development of this type. These machines are the Avro " Andover " and the Bristol " Brandon," both of which have useful performances. Following these large and speedy aircraft will be two tiny light 'planes, the Parnall " Pixie " and the " D.H.53," which were developed for the Light 'Plane Competition last year. They are the forerunners of a new type of aircraft which is being further developed. Interesting, too, will be the Nicuport single-seater fighters which the French squadron will fly at the Pageant, and which will be seen in this country for the first time when they arrive next week. The squadron will be led by Commandant Gastin, who will be accompanied by several famous aces. A spectacular event in this year's programme is a demon stration by two D.H.9A squadrons of the latest aerial drill The joint evolutions of these eighteen aircraft in line and in wedge and other formations should be both instructive and attractive. The gates open at 11 a.m., and flying commences at noon. Special traffic facilities have been arranged in order to cope with an attendance of approximately 100,000 people. Tickets, price 5s. and 10s., can now be purchased through all booking agencies and libraries. There will be a 2s. enclosure, but tickets of admission for this part are obtainable at the aerodrome on the day of the Pageant. 394
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