'Military Lessons of the Arab Rebellion in Palestine 1936' [‎133v] (273/294)

44816-1
200
The Air Striking
Force
15. The air striking
allotted as follows:-
force in Palestine
is based, and
aircraft zones
No.
6 (B) Sqdn.
(5
flights).
RAMLEH.
Middle
A/C Zone.
No.
6 (B) Sqdn.
d
flight).
SAMAKH.
Northern
A/C Zone.
No.
33 (B) Sqdn.
(3
flights).
GAZA.
Southern
A/C Zone.
No.
14 (B) Sqdn.
d
flight).
JISR AL
MEJAMI.
Jordan
A/C Zone.
O PERATIONS
16. "XX" W/T lorries (hired trucks fitted with W/T sets in charge of
R.A. F. 7/ire less Operators) are allocated to Divisions and at their
direction are employed with convoys, escorts and columns on operations
in areas where contact with armed bands is most likely to be made.
17. It should be noted that the role of the "XX" W/T lorry is to send
ou o XX" and "GO-" calls. It should not be used for any other purposes
whatever. For example, it is not possible for the "XX" W/T lorry to
communicate with aircraft flying overhead, since it is tuned in to the
wave length of the air base appropriate to the aircraft zone in which it
is operating.
18. When a detachment or convoy with which an "XX" W/T lorry is in
company is fired upon, an "XX" call will at once be sent out as explained
in paragraph 31.
19. If the Detachment or Column Commander decides that the support of
troops is also necessary he will instruct the W/T operator to send out
the "GG-" call in addition.
20. If detachments are attacked and no "XX" lorry is in company, local
signal arrangements should be such as to enable an "XX" call to be
relayed by alternative means to the nearest W/T station whence it can be
sent to the appropriate air base, as described in paragraph 35.
21. An alternative means of gaining contact with armed bands is by low
flying reconnaissance aircraft which so far have formed an irresistible
target for rebel bands. Low flying reconnaissance aircraft should,
therefore, be sent out by Commanders or O.C. R.A.F. Station, RAIvDEH, to
locate armed bands if reliable infomation indicates their presence.
If fire is opened on aircraft an "XX" call should at once be sent by the
crew.
22. Army co-operation aircraft encountering fire from the ground will
act accordingly in every way. This is especially necessary when the
army co-operation crew observe troops about to engage armed bands or
held up by ambush or resistance.
23. The O.C. R.A.F. Station, RAMLEH, is responsible that one aircraft
at each air base, RAMLEH, GAZA and SAMAKH, is maintained in a constant
state of readiness and is despatched immediately in answer to "XX" calls
for action in the aircraft zone appropriate to the unit, and that
squadrons and detachments are prepared rapidly to despatch further air
craft should the situation require this.