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'Mesopotamia Royal Flying Corps' [37r] (73/160)
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.
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From Political Officer, Baghdad, Mith Xovernber 1918.
(Received 17 th, 11 p.m.)
15. I should be glad if you could inform Air Ministry, if you s-^ee no
objection, of the great importance attaching to utilisation of Royal Air Force
here, both for military and civil purposes if the two can be combined.
In a recent despatch to the General Officer Commanding-in-Ohief,
Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force, 1 placed on record the great assistance
already afforded to the civil administration under the orders of the General
Officer Commanding-in-Ohief by the dlst Wing Royal Air Force and officers
(corrupt group) under its orders. The moral effect of flights over distant
areas not readily accessible to troops, whether or not accompanied by
dropping of bombs, has had excellent effect whenever resorted to. Aerial
photographs of shrines have been used with effect, for political purposes,
and the facilities afforded to me visiting distant places by aeroplane has
greatly increasd my mobility and my ability to exercise control over events
at a period when it was essential that 1 should not long be absent from
headquarters and equally undesirable that my movements should be unduly
restricted. 1 have in this way made journey by air totalling about
60 hours.
Fasti}’, the effort made by Royal Air Force at every place where they
are stationed to get into touch with local chiefs and to cultivate friendly
relations with them has had a strong political effect owing to great prestige
enjoyed by officers of this service. Arrangements are being made, with full
co-operation of civil administration, for landing grounds to be prepared and
reserved outside all centres of importance.
Question of utilising aeroplanes for civil survey work is under
examination.
1 understand Ford Montagu of Reaulieu is on his way to Mesopotamia
in an unofficial capacity in connection with a possible future commercial
Aerial Service. I should be glad to know if His Majesty’s Government
have any instructions in this connection.
1 believe such a service would, if established, be of great practical value
and should be prepared to co-operate in every way possible.
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' [37r] (73/160), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/5/793, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093236777.0x00004a> [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