by Griff Hosker
My pilots all ate with me. Barker and McDonald were keen to get into the fight. Their aeroplanes had passed their first test. They had taken off and landed successfully. “Tell me, do your Snipes have bombs still?”
They nodded. Pilot Officer Barker said, “We only used two each and they rearmed us this morning for the test flight.”
Gowland said, “And I have two left too sir.”
“Excellent.” I took out the map. “These are two rebel held areas. I need you three to bomb them both. You will have to do it by releasing one bomb at a time. We cannot afford collateral damage. You need to be as accurate as you can.”
Barker grinned, “That means as low as we can go then eh sir?”
“Precisely. We have all afternoon to do this. The rest of us will fly alongside each of you and keep down the opposition’s heads. I want these two areas to be obliterated.” I had a sudden thought. “And the rest of you, see the quartermaster. Take up two Mills bombs each. If we are going in that low then we can use them as bombs. If they explode in the air that will be just as good.”
They were all excited at the prospect. They knew that I had used the grenades in that way and it appealed to them.
“One thing more. If I have enough fuel I am going to fly to the place where Barnes and the others were reported shot down.”
Barker looked appalled, “It is a terrible risk sir!”
“If those pilots and gunners were still alive and waiting for help how could I live with myself? You bring back the squadron when I peel off. I will go alone. Tell the chaps.”
“Sir!”
I went back to see the adjutant, “Get on the radio to this Colonel Ayre. Tell him my aeroplanes are coming in to try to clear the two enclaves. When we leave, he should be able to retake them.”
“Risky sir and it demands a high level of skill.”
“Flight Lieutenant, these young lads were dropping bombs from their first flights onwards. We had to learn how to use them. They will be fine. Tell him we will begin our bomb run at 1300 hours.” I heard the sound of the Ninaks returning and I left the office to greet Squadron Leader Williams.
He looked tired, “How did your raid go sir?”
“I am afraid they retook Faysh Khabur but we managed to extract the detachment there. Colonel Ayre now has almost a hundred more men. We are going to try to bomb the two rebel enclaves. Are you and your lads all right to go back out?”
“There will only be six of us but yes sir. If we don’t plug up this hole then Mosul will be filled with even more rats.”
“Good man. I have Vernons coming this afternoon with more fuel and ammo.”
“They can’t bring enough sir. We will need a convoy of bowsers.”
“I know. I will try to get that arranged when I get back to Kirkuk.” I looked at my watch. “It is time we were off then.”
We flew in three lines of three and a rear pair. The first three each had a Snipe with bombs. The last two would mop up any survivors. I led us out to the south. I wanted to come in with the sun behind us. It would make it harder for them to see us and, therefore, hit us. We did not waste fuel and time gaining altitude. Instead we kept low. To the rebels we would appear like little angry hornets who came from nowhere.
Even without the map I would have been able to see where the rebel held areas where. They had raised the Kurdish and Turkish flags and they also popped away at us. Barker dropped his first bomb at the closest enclave. I dropped a grenade as we passed over. We were so fast that, despite every gun firing at us, most missed. The next flight was three hundred feet behind us. As we banked to join the circus once more I saw the effect of the bomb. We had brought down part of a house. There was a danger that such ruins could become strongpoints. Barker’s last two bombs would be reserved for those ruins. They would become dust.
I was able to watch MacDonald’s strike. He hit the second enclave. I saw two Mills bombs as they were thrown. They exploded in the air and I saw men on the tops of the buildings scythed down. Gowland only had two bombs. His first one was dropped in the same place as Barker’s. Then it was our turn again. I saw that the bombs had started fires and there was smoke to contend with. That made it hard for every pilot but doubly so for the bombers. This time I fired my machine gun, briefly, at the enclave before bringing my nose up and joining Barker as he banked.
We suffered our first casualty when MacDonald made his second run. Pilot Officer Briggs was hit. I saw his Snipe buck. My pilots knew better than to fly a damaged bird and he banked and headed back the few miles to the airfield. I saw Barker look over and I pointed to his bombs and held up two fingers. He nodded. He would drop two bombs on the next run. I could see that the two enclaves were now charnel houses. It had been a lucky shot which had damaged Briggs but there was no point in risking a second lucky shot. MacDonald emulated Barker. I waved to Barker and he nodded. I turned the Snipe and headed for Turkey.
Technically I was in breach of standing orders flying into Turkey but, as the Turks had invaded, I thought it a moot point. A few Turks fired at me but I was at four thousand feet and they had no chance of hitting me. Barnes had followed the Halberstadts at a low altitude. He had been an easy target. I stayed high. I saw the guns. They tried to elevate them but they had been set to fire across the valley and I was safe. I saw the aeroplanes in the distance. After flying a little further north and banking I began my descent. I saw the three Bristols. They had been burned out. It looked to have been after the crash. I risked dropping to two hundred feet. Coming in from the north I was beyond the guns. I spied the six crew. The Turks had made it easy for me. They had beheaded them and put their heads in a line close the bodies. I hoped that it been done post death. I climbed.
I had one machine gun which I had not used. I would use it now. I headed deeper into Turkey and then swung around. I dropped to a hundred feet. When I reached the eastern side of the valley I dropped to fifty feet. I flew down the line of guns and gunners. I fired a burst at each emplacement. There were six of them and the final one endured the last of the belt. I must have hit some ammunition for, as I climbed to head back to the field, I saw, in my rear-view mirror, the emplacement as it exploded. Barnes and his men were dead but I had not left them trapped behind enemy lines. I would be able to sleep at night.
My men were euphoric. I saw that as I taxied. They were gathered around in a group and their arms emulated their wings as they described to each other what they had all done. It had been a most masterful display of precision bombing. Of course, it would not have worked against an enemy who had heavy guns and more machine guns. As soon as I landed I ordered the Snipes to be refuelled. I went to the adjutant. He was beaming, “Just came off the radio with the Colonel. They have retaken the enclaves. There are fifteen prisoners too. He says he owes you a drink!”
“It is a small start. I will take my Snipes back to Kirkuk. We have more ammunition and fuel at Kirkuk. Besides this will get crowded later when six Vernons arrive.”
He nodded, “You seem a little down Wing Commander.”
I spoke quietly. The adjutant would tell the squadron leader my news later. It would not do to hear it from an office Erk. “I just found the crews of the Bristols which went down. They had been beheaded and their kites burned. Our enemies do not appear to play by the same rules as us.”
“Good God sir! Savages! Bloody savages! At least the Bosch never did that!”
We took off and flew the ninety miles to Kirkuk. Alarmingly there were fires in the city and evidence of unrest. I saw bodies by the side of the road a mile or so from the airfield. They had come close. As we descended I saw the Vernons to the west of us heading for Mosul. It would not be much fuel that they could carry but it would augment what they had. I saw that Captain Daniels had slit trenches and sandbags everywhere. He waved at me as I climbed down from the Snipe.
Sergeant Major Shaw said, “Been a rum old day sir. A bunch of wild men attacked the main gate not long after you left. And then when Squadron Leader T
homson came back he surprised a column of men sneaking up to the east sir.” He patted his Webley. “I thought I was going to have to fire this in anger, sir!”
“I am pleased that you are carrying it.”
I headed for the office. Sergeant Major Hill snapped to attention, “Glad you are back sir. McIlroy, tea! The Kurds have taken over parts of Kirkuk. Captain Daniels sent Williams and the extra lads in to help out. They managed to clear a corridor from the field to the Residency but I am not certain that the lads there can hold out, sir.”
I nodded, “I know. We had the same in Mosul. We can’t go on bombing the centres of the towns. Eventually we will have civilian casualties and that will turn the peaceful ones against us.” McIlroy brought the tea. “I will be in the briefing room writing up my report. When Squadron Leader Thomson and Acting Squadron Leader Ritchie arrive send them both in will you?”
“Sir.”
Both Squadron Leaders had left reports for me. There were no damaged aeroplanes to worry about but they had both struggled to stop the two attacks. It seemed that there were large numbers coming from Sulaimaniya as well as the natural homeland of the Kurds in Turkey. What worried me was that they could come at night. So far, they had not tried that. We couldn’t operate at night; not safely anyway. For that we needed ground troops. I began to write a message to send to Baghdad. I had no idea if things were as bad there but I doubted it.
Acting Squadron Leader Ritchie arrived first. He looked exhausted. “Well that was fun, sir!”
I laughed and pushed my tobacco pouch over. “Have a fill of my baccy and then tell me all about it.”
He got his pipe going and I saw the relief on his face. McIlroy slipped the mug of tea on to the table. “The Snipe and the Bristol are different beasties. They fly differently, sir. It was hard to keep formation. Mind you the bomb load is handy. We found large numbers heading over to attack Kirkuk. They even had a couple of ancient lorries. I think they were Ottoman, from the war, sir. Anyway, we stopped them. We went out again this afternoon and used our guns to make them take cover. They are out there, sir but they are using the natural spaces in which to hide.” He took a swig from his mug. “However, sir, tonight? I reckon they will be all over Kirkuk like fleas on a dog.”
“I agree with your assessment. I will nip into Kirkuk tonight and see if the resident will consider pulling the civilians back here. The Vernons are only at Mosul. We could take the women and non-essential personnel down to Baghdad.”
When Jack came he reported almost the same. I shouted, “McIlroy, fetch Captain Daniels for me, will you?”
“Sir.”
I had finished my radio message and I passed it to Jack. “What do you think?”
He read it and said, “I agree sir. We need the other Ninaks, supplies and, if they have them, ground troops.”
Acting Squadron Leader Ritchie said, “What if we don’t get them sir?”
“Did you do history at school, Paul?”
“Did you study the Afghan war?”
“No sir.”
In eighteen seventy-nine the Amir of Afghanistan, Sher Ali Khan signed a peace treaty with the British. It allowed us to have a presence in their cities. On September, the 3rd Sher Ali Khan incited his people to rise in the city. They massacred Sir Louis Cavagnari and every British man woman and child. The non-Muslim men were all castrated before they were killed. That, I am afraid, is what would happen in Kirkuk, if we allowed it.”
“I didn’t know.”
“I am afraid that the Muslims do not follow rules as we do. So, tomorrow, I want the Ninaks to return to Ebril. If that is quiet then head to Mosul. Acting Squadron Leader Ritchie, keep the road to Sulaimaniya clear of Kurds.”
Jack drained his tea, “And you sir?”
“That depends upon the result of my visit to Lord Palmer this evening. If he refuses to take my advice then I will be keeping Kirkuk safe.”
Captain Daniels appeared at the door. He looked tired. I think we all were. “Captain, what is your assessment of the situation in Kirkuk?”
“It is dire sir. Sergeants Williams and Swanston are holding on to a corridor to the Residency by the skin of their teeth. If the Kurds come tonight, and I think they will, then we will have to pull them back and the Residency will be cut off.” He shrugged, “Sorry sir that is an honest assessment,”
“And it is my opinion too. I want a lorry and three men. I will head into Kirkuk and try to persuade the resident to bring out the women, children and civilians. We can protect them here and, if necessary, evacuate them. I have six Vernons to take them away.”
“Should I come sir?”
“Thank you for the offer but I think we need you inside here. I want the defences beefing up. Make this into a fortress.”
“Sir!” He saluted and left.
I went to my quarters and took out the pink folder. It took me an hour but I encoded my radio message. I handed it to the corporal. “It is in code. If I get a reply I want it no matter what time it is.”
“Sir!”
I went to my quarters and changed into a fresh uniform. The other had begun to smell. I could have used a shower but I needed to get into Kirkuk. I took out my German automatic and a couple of grenades. One never knew. I had my dagger in my boot. Donning my sun helmet I left the quarters. I popped my head into the office. “Sergeant Major Hill, I am going into Kirkuk. If anything untoward happens, then Squadron Leader Thomson is in command.”
“Sir. Be careful eh? I am just getting used to you and your ways, sir.”
Jack was waiting for me. “This is not the cleverest of moves sir. I mean you could send a radio message.”
I shook my head, “I need face to face. If I can’t get back then you are in command. The code book is in my quarters, pink file.”
“You will be back. Good luck sir.”
The lorry was waiting and there were four tough looking Air Force Regiment Erks waiting. “Corporal I’Anson sir. The captain says we are to take you to the residency.”
“And back, if possible.”
His face did not crack, “We will try sir.”
I sat in the cab and I held my German automatic. I liked the Webley but the Mauser had nine bullets. I might need them all. We headed towards the city. As we neared the first building Sergeant Williams rose, like a wraith, “Where are you off to, Corporal?”
I leaned forward, “Taking me for a spin, sergeant.”
“Sorry sir, didn’t see you there. It is like the wild west from here on in sir.”
“Then take the place of one of the men in the back eh, Sergeant?”
He grinned, “Of course sir!”
I felt better with Sergeant Williams in the back. After four hundred yards, he banged on the partition and said, “Watch out from here on in, sir.”
“Thank you, Sergeant.” I cocked and lifted the Mauser. “Keep your foot down Corporal I’Anson.”
“Sir!”
A few moments later two men stepped out with guns and aimed them at us. Corporal I’Anson did exactly as I had asked and he drove right over them. I heard the smack as their bodies hit the solid front of the lorry. I saw a face appear and I fired my Mauser at it. The face disappeared. I heard bullets at the rear and then there was the crack of a grenade. Then there was silence. We had broken through the first roadblock.
Not far from the Residency two men just above me opened fire. Their bullets smashed into the cab. I lifted my gun and fired the rest of the magazine blindly. One must have had a grenade primed for there was a loud explosion. I looked ahead and saw the Residency.
“You had better slow up in case they think we are the villains of the peace!”
“Yes sir. Nice shooting! You would have won a prize at a fair in England with shooting like that.”
“I will take that as a compliment.”
A lieutenant held up his hand, “Can I help you sir?”
“I hope so. Take me to the Resident. Corporal I’Anson, turn the lorry around and be prepared
for a fast getaway.”
“Sir!”
I was pleased to see that they had made the building like a fortress. There was wire and there were sandbags. Lee Enfields poked through gaps in the bags. “The Resident is at dinner.” I threw him a sideways look and he shrugged. “It is dinner time, sir.” In the distance, we heard the sound of firing. It continued as we walked towards the dining room.
The door to the dining room was opened. Lady Isabel was there as was Lord Randolph. Three ladies were amongst the ten guests. There were three officers and the doctor too. Lord Randolph smiled, “Are you here for dinner, Wing Commander?” None of them seemed to notice the sound of firing which came from the east of the town.
“Sir, my men have reported large numbers of Kurds heading towards the town. While it was daylight we were able to stop them but I fear that they will use the night to infiltrate and assault the town’s defences.
His lordship looked at the lieutenant colonel who sat to his right, “Pennington-Browne?”
“The Wing Commander may well be right but my chaps are ready for them. I have fought them before when they were Johnny Turk. They soon turn and run when you meet them with cold steel and a Lee Enfield.”
Lord Randolph nodded, “So you see, Wing Commander, we have the situation under control.”
I was getting nowhere, “Then let me evacuate the ladies and non-essential civilians to the airfield. I can whisk them back to Baghdad if the situation worsens.”
Lady Isabel smiled, “As much as I would like to fly in an aeroplane, it sounds most exciting, I fear that we cannot desert the men at a time like this. We may not be able to wield a weapon but our fortitude and support will help them win the day.”
My head drooped, “Very well but I must warn you that by morning there will be no way to get from here to the airfield. We had to fight our way here.”
The doctor stood, “What you could do for me Wing Commander is take the six wounded men to your airfield. Perhaps they would be safer and besides we don’t have room here for more wounded.”