Coll 17/17 'FO Annual Reports, 1932-1938, 1947. Annual review of events 1939-1942. Political Review 1943-1944' [‎114r] (227/483)

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Operations.
320. During 1936 the Iraqi Air Force was used several times on active
operations, and once to support the coup d'Etat.
321. In February six “ Hawker ” aircraft were based at Nasiriyah to
support the military and police forces against the Beni Rikab. These aircraft
dropped warning leaflets on the tribesmen on the 29th February. This action,
combined with a police offensive, induced the recalcitrant tribesmen to submit.
322. In April twelve aircraft (“ Hawkers ” and “ Dragons ”) were based
on Diwaniyah to support a force of two brigades against the Dhuwalim and other
tribes. Intensive bombing operations followed during the next few days and
until the 15th May, as many as three raids a day being made. The aircraft finally
returned to Bagdad on the 16th June. Two aircraft were shot down, the crews
being killed. Several other aircraft were hit, but the morale of the air force
remained high. In August and October bombing operations were again necessary
at Khidr and near Samawah.
A ir Co-operation with the A rmy.
323. Army/air co-operation throughout the year, apart from work done
during active operations, was spasmodic. Few of the senior officers of the Iraqi
army yet understand the usefulness of aircraft to their units, with the result
that little, if any, serious army/air co-operation was attempted. Two officers of
the Iraqi Air Force completed the Army Co-operation Course at Old Sarum in
August, but they returned to find that they could not obtain army liaison officers
to help them. One army liaison officer was obtained for the Iraqi Air Force after
much persuasion. He was a staff officer who had recently completed the two years’
Staff School Course, and was acknowledged to be capable. During the important
operations of May, however, he was left behind at Hinaidi. Special air
demonstrations at Hinaidi were arranged by the Iraqi Air Force for the Staff
School and the Senior Officers’ Course. The flying programme included message
picking up, message dropping, W/T communication, aircraft at known heights,
and reconnaissance of troops (infantry, cavalry and cars) in the open and under
different types of cover.
Expansion.
324. The expansion programme of the Iraqi Air Force originally included,
for 1937, the provision of three new squadrons (a modern fighter squadron, a
modern bomber squadron, and a light general purpose squadron). Eighty cadets
and 200 apprentices were to have been put under training early in 1937. This
programme has, however, already been modified for various reasons. It is
unlikely that the necessary aircraft will arrive until 1938; and it is certain that
there will not be enough trained airmen to man the new squadrons until the
middle or end of 1938. The modified plan still includes the provision of the new
squadrons as soon as possible, but accepts the unavoidable delay. Thirty more
cadets only are to be trained during 1937. With the fifteen now nearing the end
of their training, this means about forty more pilots to be added in 1937 to the
existing thirty-seven.
325. Ten more de Havilland “Tiger Moths” have already been ordered
for immediate delivery, and 100 more apprentices are to be recruited for the
Apprentices’ Wing at Hinaidi. This will mean that 192 will be under training.
A further 100 are to be accepted next September.
326. The general strength of the Iraqi Air Force was raised by one service
squadron during 1936, and now consists of :—
No. 1 Squadron (Hawker-Nisr): (General Purpose).
No. 2 Squadron (de Havilland Dragon and Puss Moths).
No. 3 Squadron (Hawker-Nisr): (General Purpose).
Flying Training School.
Apprentices’ Wing.
Aircraft Depot.
Specialist Sections (Armament, W/T and Photography).
Stores.
Headquarters.