'Papers relating to transfer of Middle Eastern Affairs to the Colonial Office and creation of a new Department there, 1920-1921, with Cabinet notes of Milner, Montague, Churchill, self, and others' [‎11r] (21/136)

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these troops should enable a considerable reduction in the total military forces in
Mesopotamia to be effected.
All squadrons are available for reinforcing other districts when required-
It is proposed to establish advanced landing grounds at Kifri and Khanikin.
Southern Grou/p (Hilla).
Group headquarters, with one squadron two-seater reconnaissance (D.H.9A)
and one squadron twin-engine bombers (Vickers-Vimy).
The role of this group is the patrolling of the lines of communication between
Basra and Baghdad. One Vickers-Vimy Squadron based on Shaiba will also operate
over the country at the head of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Including the oil-field district at
Ahwaz.
The question of protected landing grounds in this district is at present deferred
in view or its comparatively settled nature.
5. The total air forces in the country, therefore, would be :—
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, headquarters,
3 group headquarters,
3 squadrons two-seater reconnaissance,
3 squadrons twin-engine bombers,
1 squadron corps reconnaissance,
1 squadron single-seater fighter,
2 squadrons passenger carriers,
1 lighter-than-aii unit.
With the necessary repair depots and parks.
Total personnel (approximate) :—
350 officers,
3,100 men, of which about
800 may be natives.
Military Co-operation and Fighting Forces.
6. The military forces to be stationed in the country are required to fulfil the
following functions :—
{a.) Protection of main aerial bases at—
Baghdad,
Shergat,
Mosul,
Hilia, and
Shaiba,
against likely local concentrations of tribesmen.
(5.) Protection of subsidiary landing grounds at—
Erbil,
Kirkouk,
Kifri,
Khanikin.
{c.) Provision of a smalls mobile column of light armoured cars, and possibly
Camel Corps, at each of the headquarters, Baghdad, Shergat and Hilia,
capable of operating to secure any advanced landing grounds that it may
be necessary to utilise, and possibly to co-operate to secure the fruits of
the success of an aerial operation. Military troops will not be used as
punitive forces.
The safeguarding of the lines of communication will be effected by aerial patrols.
The Air Staff will be satisfied with the minimum number of troops necessary to
safeguard R.A.F. personnel, stores and establishments, and to ensure that aircraft,
while on the giound, may be enabled to work unmolested.
All military garrisons should be self-contained and capable of withstanding any
likely local attack for a period of one month : within this time it is considered that
aerial operations will remove the danger and be able to effect the relief of the
beleaguered force.
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