'Mesopotamia Royal Flying Corps' [20r] (39/160)
The record is made up of 1 file (78 folios). It was created in 2 Aug 1917-17 Jan 1921. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
From >lur Office#
To C# in C# India*
83^49. oipl^er Fo owing trm C.lT&Sa^for 0*0» •
Bogina - Your P*577 of Deoeiabor ii4th#
1. Ho reliance can bo placed on any 3*A*F# orpiadrone being
sent froia hotae.
Zm A fmxiiiuw o; 1 aiuiidron of Hi uachineo an4,
if you wieh # one Handley .-age or Vickera V iny Bouadron at 10
aachinescould be aont frois Igypt if aituation in rjpt
and !!aeor*>tamia at the tiae of your domed peraittu Thie is the
only atailable reaerxe for all ’Soatom theatrea at vr'eaent#
It ie probable that by e»i of February I)*H*9A rmc^inee w6uld
b substituted for D»iU9*
3* Aa regards the tiiae taken to reinforce, equadrona could
be actually ready to function in India within one oonth of
recairjt of orders if sent by air and two raonths if cant by
ship* The transfer of Hfindloy Page or Viekora Viny mchines
can at preomit, however, only be mde by air# It is bnlieved
that the D*H#9# eeuadrons could also use the aerial route and
this possibility is being enquired into# The above is
d ependent on shipping being available as soon as required*
4* Convertea 9*4b trench raortur boiabn are the only gus bombs
that could at present t* produc<Ki# luoply would take about 4
months from date of order to convert. The weight is about 180
lbs. and to be effective they must bo dropped in large
numbers which cannot bo done by machines at present in
India* They ere therefore of doubtful utility* Dovolopnnnt
of more satisfactory bonb is proceeding but at present no
prosnect of ttipply*
8* Will send reply to your question about (pn sheila, later.
6# igypt informed* ttds.
About this item
- Content
The file contains memoranda, correspondence and papers, regarding provision of Royal Flying Corps (later Royal Air Force) aircraft and personnel for military operations in Mesopotamia [Iraq].
Notably covers: repeated requests in 1917 from General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia, for aircraft and personnel (pilots, observers and other ranks) to constitute an additional, third, squadron; discussion of makes and models of aircraft and engines; discussion of optimum aircraft type and parts for the climate, intended uses and enemy capability; reporting problems with machines and defective parts received; general expansion of the Royal Flying Corps establishment in Mesopotamia; and increase in number of flights to deal with local disturbances in 1919.
File also includes printed weekly returns for the weeks ending 14 March 1918, 28 March 1918 and 11 April 1918, issued by General Officer Commanding, Middle East Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, Egypt, for the Air Ministry, listing squadron personnel (pilots and observers) available and unavailable and machines serviceable, unserviceable and un-erected.
The papers indicate that aircraft were distributed to the Mesopotamia field of operations from Middle East Brigade, Royal Flying Corps base in Cairo, Egypt. Personnel came via various routes, such as direct from England or from the aviation base in Baghdad.
Aircraft in Mesopotamia were used for long-distance reconnaissance, close reconnaissance, low flying, long-distance independent bombing, close bombing in co-operation with troops, artillery observation and communications.
The primary correspondents are: the War Office; General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia; General Officer Commanding, Middle East Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, Cairo. Correspondents also include Aviation Baghdad; General Officer Commanding, Constantinople; Commander-in-Chief, India; and Director of Air Organisation, War Office.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (78 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 80; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; these numbers are written in coloured crayon.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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'Mesopotamia Royal Flying Corps' [20r] (39/160), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/5/793, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093236777.0x000028> [accessed 18 December 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/5/793
- Title
- 'Mesopotamia Royal Flying Corps'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:79v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence