'Report on the operations carried out in the southern desert in connection with the Iraq-Najd borders, June 1928-May 1929.' [‎5] (7/32)

5
raiding parties in the vicinity of A1 Wishah. The aircraft 1+
were instructed to fly high over the area in order not to draw
fire. No signs of raiders were seen.
11. As raid rumours continued to persist, armoured car
reconnaissances were carried out down A1 Batin as far as
Abraj al Hibari, and on 23rd December a car section was sent
to Busaiyah on detachment duty.
12. On 26th December an Armoured Car Section was sent
from Hinaidi to Lussuf and Shananah to gain experience of
the district, and at the same time to reassure the tribes grazing
in that area.
13. On 27th December a flight of three Wapitis, with
Captain Glubb as passenger, carried out a reconnaissance of the
western part of the neutral area, where strong rumours placed
a raiding party of Braih Mutair under Ali Ibn Ashwan. No
signs of the raiders were seen. On the following day this
flight took Captain Glubb to Jumaimah and Ath Thulaimah,
where a landing was made, and some Zaiyad shepherds were
interviewed. They said that they had been visited that
morning by some strange camelmen, who were probably scouts
of a raiding party. Captain Olubb ordered them to withdraw
to the northward, which they did during the night. The air
craft went on to Sulman for the night. On the morning of
the 29th they left Sulman again with Captain Glubb to
reconnoitre down Al Batin to Jumaimah. On reaching
Ath Thulaimah, where the shepherds had been interviewed
on the previous day, they found a party of about 130 camelmen
answering the description of Ibn Ashwan's party. On sighting
the aircraft the raiders fled in the direction of Jilbabi, and
opened fire on the aircraft. Air action was, therefore,
immediately taken against them. It subsequently transpired
that a nephew of Ali Ibn Ashwan was killed a direct hit
with a bomb, several other raiders were killed and wounded.
This action had a pronounced effect on the tribes in that area,
and at least two other parties of Mutair raiders who were
approaching the 'Iraq frontier turned back on hearing of the
fate which had befallen their comrades.
THE UQUBBA INCIDENT ON 1st JANUARY, 1929.
14. Raiding on a minor scale, however, continued in the
vicinity of the neutral zone, though reports indicated that
these raids were carried out by opportunists with loot as their
primary objective, and were not part of the major scheme in
which Harb, Shammar, and Mutair sections were alleged to be
co-operating.
(C554)
B*