'Report on the operations carried out in the southern desert in connection with the Iraq-Najd borders, November 1927-May 1928.' [‎8r] (15/66)

11
C9
Kuwait that evening. The Shaikh promptly commandeered
all available cars and sent them out to try and cut off the
raiders. In this they were successful and a'lively action took
place near A1 Riqai on the evening of the 28th, in which both
sides sustained a number of casualties, and the raiders had
to abandon part of their loot. Information regarding this
raid was not received by Akforce from Kuwait until the
following morning. Aircraft were sent out to search, but,
owing to lack of information regarding the movements of the
raiders, were unable to establish touch, On the following
morning a formation of Buscol aircraft located and
attacked them 15 miles north east of Hafar. This party
consisted of about 40 men who opened fire on the aircraft as
soon as they came within range. Shortly after this action
had been broken off, the Flight Leader was forced to land
about five miles north of the raiders. The crew were rescued
b\ the remaining aircraft and after removing the gun locks
and ammunition, the forced landed aircraft was abandoned.
On the following morning two formations of six aircraft each
set out to search the Hafar area for the remainder of the
raiders The Nucol Flight located them first about eight miles
west of Hafar and immediately reported their position by
wireless to the Buscol formation. Casualties were inflicted
on the raiders, who opened fire on the aircraft as soon as they
were within range. During the course of the engagement
one D.H.9A was forced to land about 400 yards from the
raiders after being shot through the radiator. The pilot,
who was alone, salved his gun locks and ammunition, and
was rescued under fire by Flight Lieutenant J. F. T. Barrett.
iJ.r.C. hor this and other remarkably good work during the
operahons Flight Lieutenant Barrett was subsequently awarded
Shortly after the Nucol formation had broken
their engagement, the Buscol formation appeared on the
scene finding the raiders in scattered confusion. Further
casualties were inflicted, although, owing to the dispersal of
the raiders, targets were small and difficult to locate. Nothing
r Was Seen of these raiders b y further reconnaissances.
Ut the two aircraft abandoned on this occasion one was subse
quently salved and flown back to its base, and the other was
burnt as it was not considered possible to salve it.
31 I his raid brought out the necessity of maintaining a
c oser liaison with Kuwait. Occasionally air reconnaissances
were earned out over Kuwait territory (see para. 14 above)
out little could be done in this way while Buscol and Nucol
were engaged in driving the Najd tribes back from the frontier
y m February the Special Service Officer, Basrah, and an
experienced Armoured Car Officer, were sent to confer with