RAF Iraq Command

Iraq Command was the RAF-led tri-service command in charge of all British forces in Iraq in the 1920s and early 1930s, during the period of the British Mandate of Mesopotamia.

Origins

Following the end of World War I and the accompanying British defence cuts, the newly-independent RAF took up the task of policing the Empire from the air. It was argued that the use of air power would prove to be a more cost-effective way of controlling large areas than by using conventional land forces. In Mesopotamia there was a need to counter Turkish aspirations and by 1920 a Mesopotamian Wing had been established. In January 1921 Mesopotamian Group was formed by raising Mesopotamian Wing to group status and on 1 October 1922 Mesopotamian Group was absorbed into the newly formed Iraq Command which was given control of all British Forces in Iraq.

Actions

Iraq Command was responsible for the following military actions:
*February to May 1923 - Following the anti-British activities of Sheikh Mahmud, delayed-action bombs are dropped outside Sulaymaniyah in an effort to get the Sheikh to adopt more pro-British policies. British land forces occupy Sulaymaniyah on 17 May and Sheikh Mahmud flees to Persia.
*March to April 1923 - In response to the uncovering of Turkish plans for an attack on Kurdistan, supported by local tribes associated with Sheikh Mahmud, Imperial troops and levies occupy Rowanduz and drive Turkish troops into nearby Persia.
*April 1923 - The RAF flies 280 Sikh troops from Kingarban to Kirkuk in the first British air trooping operation.
*25 December 1923 - Sheikh Mahmud proclaims himself King of Kurdistan. Subsequently, the RAF bombs his house in Sulaymaniyah.
*December 1923 to January 1924 - The RAF bombs Akhwan raiders from Najd in an attempt to stop their attacks on the tribes living in southern Iraq.
*4 May 1924 - Following a dispute between Assyrian levies and the Muslims living in Kirkuk, the levies run amok. Air Vice-Marshal Higgins has two platoons of the 1st Battalion the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers airlifted from Hinaidi to Kirkuk to restore order.
*5 May 1924 - The fusiliers are reinforced by air with two additional infantry platoons. No. 30 Squadron RAF carries out thorough air reconnaissance of the Kirkuk district.

"The above section is incomplete."

In 1933 or 1934, Iraq Command was renamed British Forces in Iraq.

Commanders

Precursor formations

*6 January 1921 (as Officer Commanding, HQ Mesopotamian Group) Group Captain A E Borton
*13 October 1921 (as Officer Commanding, HQ Iraq Group) Group Captain A E Borton

Iraq Command

*1 October 1922 Air Commodore A E Borton
*2 June 1923 Air Vice-Marshal J M Salmond
*13 March 1924 Air Vice-Marshal J F A Higgins
*3 November 1926 Air Vice-Marshal E L Ellington
*1 November 1928 Air Vice-Marshal H R M Brooke-Popham
*2 October 1930 Air Vice-Marshal E R Ludlow-Hewitt
*1932 Air Commodore C L Courtney (temporary appointment) [http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Courtney.htm]
*23 November 1932 Air Vice-Marshal C S Burnett

Chief staff officers

The following served as Chief Staff Officer (or Senior Air Staff Officer) at the headquarters of Iraq Command:
*2 February 1923 Air Commodore L E O Charlton (resigned) [http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Charlton.htm]
*22 October 1923 Air Commodore J G Hearson [http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Hearson.htm]
*19 August 1924 Air Commodore H C T Dowding [http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Dowding.htm]
*24 April 1926 Air Commodore T C R Higgins [http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/HigginsT.htm]
*9 March 1928 Group Captain (later Air Commodore) F W Bowhill (as Senior Air Staff Officer) [http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Bowhill.htm] "list incomplete"

References

* [http://www.rafweb.org/Cmd_O3.htm Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Overseas Commands - Iraq, India and the Far East]
* [http://www.regiments.org/formations/uk-cmdarmy/os-iraq.htm Regiments.org - British Forces in Iraq 1921 to 1955]
* [http://www.rafmuseum.com/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1923.html RAF Museum - British Military Aviation in 1923]