'Report on the operations carried out in the southern desert in connection with the Iraq-Najd borders, November 1927-May 1928.' [‎22v] (44/66)

40
Bombing without the use of Sights.
It became evident at a very early stage in the operations that no definite
objective would be likely to present itself.
Raiders at the first sight or sound of approaching aircraft scattered over
a very wide area.
It was, therefore, decided that the initiative of releasing bombs must
rest with the individual pilots. Bomb release toggles were transferred
from the bomb aimer's to the pilot's cockpit, and all bombing in the
operations was carried out by the pilot, without the use of sights (with
one exception— see below).
The average height from which bombs were released was 4,000 feet.
Bombing with Course Setting Bomb Sight.
There was only one occasion on which a combined bombing attack
was carried out on a definite objective (see para. 38 of Report— re Bombing
of Es Safa).
On this occasion three separate formations took part, i.e., No. 70 (B)
Squadron, No. 55 (B) Squadron and No. 84 (B) Squadron. The bomb
aimer of the leading fonnation (3 Victorias) using a course setting bomb
sight, found wind speed and direction by the 90° method when nearing the
objective, and signalled the result by wireless to the leading aircraft of
No. 55 (B) Squadron formation. On reaching the objective the Victorias
bombed in formation, bombs being released on sight of the bomb from the
leading aircraft leaving the carrier.
The D.H.9As of Nos. 55 and 84 (B) Squadrons dropped their bombs
on a hand signal from the leader of No. 55 (B) Squadron formation, who
was in communication with his bomb aimer by means of speaking tube.
The results were very satisfactory.
Full details concerning this bombing operation are given in the " Report
on Operations in the Southern Desert, November, 1927 to May, 1928."
APPENDIX No. 12.
^MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS, AKFORCE, 1928.
1. The medical personnel detailed to the force at the beginning of
operations consisted of one medical officer, and N.C.O., and three nursing
orderlies. The medical officer, N.C.O., and one nursing orderly remained
at Ur forming a small sick quarters in an E.P.I.P. tent with the field
equipment brought with them. One nursing orderly with first-aid equip
ment was detailed to each of the two columns. After the first day it
became apparent that further assistance was required for the sanitary
side of the work, and two assistants from the Sanitary Section, Hinaidi,
were posted for duty at Ur.
2. Later it was found necessary to send another medical officer to Ur
so that one was always on duty at Akforce Headquarters if one was
visiting the columns. After the Naval shore party left Kuwait a medical
officer was sent down there owing to the isolation of the column. A nursing
orderly and a sanitary assistant had been drafted to this column
immediately after its formation.