Kabul airlift of 1928–1929

Last updated

Kabul Airlift
Part of Afghan Civil War (1928–1929)
Location
Afghanistan
Commanded by Sir Geoffrey Salmond
ObjectiveEvacuation of British and other diplomatic staff
Date23 December 1928 – 25 February 1929
Executed by Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Outcome586 people evacuated
CasualtiesNone killed

The Kabul Airlift was an air evacuation of British and a number of European diplomatic staff and their families conducted by the Royal Air Force from Kabul between 23 December 1928 and 25 February 1929, the first large-scale air evacuation, with a total of 586 people of eleven different nationalities being rescued and taken to India. [1] The evacuation was conducted after forces of a bandit, Habibullah Kalakani, attacked Kabul in opposition to the Afghan king, Amanullah, leading to British fears that its legation would be isolated and cut off.

Contents

Directed by Sir Geoffrey Salmond, by 15 February 1929, aircraft types available for the airlift of passengers and baggage, included seven Vickers Victoria aircraft, one Handley Page Hinaidi, 24 Airco DH.9As and two Westland Wapitis. [2] The airlift was challenging as it required aircraft to fly over and in-between the Hindu Kush mountains that peaked 10,000 feet, and it also occurred during the bitterly cold winter, but the operation was ultimately successful. [3]

Background and the Afghan civil war

In 1928, the British Legation in Afghanistan was situated outside Kabul. [4] Kabul is 6,000 feet above sea level. [3] Aircraft would be required to fly over and in-between mountains that peaked 10,000 feet. [3] In addition, it was winter and temperatures could reach as low as -17°C. [3]

At that time, the King of Afghanistan, Amanullah introduced a series of political changes intended to bring about a more European way of life in his country. [5] Having created a parliament, Amanullah made several speeches to his legislature in September and October 1928 which were directly opposed in the chamber by conservative factions. In the country there were protests from the mullahs and Amanullah was denounced as a kafir or unbeliever. [6]

With increasing rumours of civil war, the British Minister at Kabul and former RAF pilot, Sir Francis Humphrys, became concerned about the safety and lines of communication to the Legation. [6] On 3 December Humphrys sent a message to the Air Officer Commanding RAF India, Geoffrey Salmond, asking him to maintain the air mail service to Kabul and prepare extra aircraft in case of an emergency. [6] Salmond agreed with Humphrys assessment but he lacked suitable aircraft for transporting large numbers within his command, although he did have 24 two-seater World War I vintage Airco DH.9As and two Westland Wapitis. [6] Salmond's only appropriate aircraft, a Handley Page Hinaidi, was in Baghdad as it had temporarily been assigned to transporting Sir Denys Bray, the Indian Foreign Secretary. [6] Salmond did request that a single Vickers Victoria be detached from the RAF in Iraq and flown to India. [6] [7]

The first open rebellion against Amanullah's rule came from the Shinwari tribe who were angered by the imposition of various laws, including the requirement to wear European dress, the rule that required them to send a quota of their daughters to Kabul for education and the impositions of taxes (they had never previously paid tax). [8] The Shinwaris attacked Jalalabad, cutting off Peshawar road. [8] Amanullah responded by using his fledgling Air Force, including Russian refugee pilots, to bomb the Shinwaris. The use of foreign "infidels" to subjugate Muslims roused other tribes to revolt and the country descended into civil war. [6]

Effects on British Legation

In the situation of turmoil, an opportunist leader called Habibullah Kalakani and his 3,000 disaffected tribesmen entered the conflict. [6] They attacked Kabul on 14 December 1928, capturing the forts to the north-west of the city. [6] Habibullah then advanced on the Asmai Heights, to the west of the Legation, and although checked by Amanullah's forces, Habibullah was not prevented from turning towards Kabul on a route which took him past the British Legation. [6] Sir Francis met Habibullah at the gates of the Legation. [6] With the Legation situated between the rebel army and Government-controlled city, the British were effectively isolated. [6] The Legation lost wireless communications with British India, having sent their last message on 16 December which requested the evacuation of women and children. [6]

Air actions

The requested Victoria departed Iraq, arriving in Karachi on 17 December. The following day it travelled to Quetta and after a local check flight had been carried out, it arrived in Risalpur on 19 December.[ citation needed ] The previous day an unarmed DH.9A of No. 27 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer C. W. L. Trusk and accompanied by Leading Aircraftman G. Donaldson flew a reconnaissance mission from Kohat to the Legation with the intention of dropping a Popham panel which would enable ground-to-air signalling. [4] [6] However, before they could carry out their mission, small arms fire damaged their aircraft and they were forced to land at the nearby Afghan Air Force landing ground at Sherpur. [6] Trusk and Donaldson decided to attempt to get to the Legation on foot and they ran between the opposing armies (who were exchanging fire) carrying a generator with them. [6] Both airmen eventually made it to the Legation where they used the generator to power its wireless and re-establish intermittent communications with Peshawar and Miranshah. [6]

From 19 to 22 December, several DH.9As flew over the Legation. [6] Although no landing was attempted, a fully working wireless set and other items were dropped by parachute. [6] Evacuation began on 23 December, when a Vickers Victoria and a few smaller planes landed on Sherpur. [6] By New Year's Day 1929, over 300 women and children were airlifted to safety.[ citation needed ]

Situation deteriorated on January 14 when Habibullah entered Kabul city, and a decision was made to evacuate the remaining British personnel, along with expatriates from other nations as well as members of the Afghan royal family. [8] The last planes left Sherpur airfield on 25 February, taking Sir Francis Humphrys to Peshawar. [8]

The whole evacuation was done in 84 sorties. [3]

Aviators

The operation was commanded by Sir Geoffrey Salmond. [9] It was superintended by Group captain R. P. Mills. [9] Air Vice-Marshal Robert Brooke-Popham, air officer commanding Iraq, had arranged for the Victoria aircraft. [9]

Squadron leader Reginald Maxwell, flight lieutenants D. F. Anderson and R. Ivolaw-Chapman, and flying officers L. H. Anness and C. W. L. Trusk, received the Air Force Cross. [9] Leading aircraftsman G. Donaldson received the Air Force Medal. [9]

Published accounts

Sir Geoffrey Salmond's account was published in 1929. [2] In it he confirmed that by 15 February 1929, aircraft types available for the airlift of passengers and baggage, included seven Vickers Victoria aircraft, one Handley Page Hinaidi, 24 Airco DH.9As and two Westland Wapitis. [2] The operation was accomplished in four stages. [2] Between 18 and 22 December 1928, communications were established, as part of the first phase. [2] The second phase focussed on evacuating women and children of the British and foreign legations. [2] Between 2 January and 19 January 1929, the Royal family were evacuated, in the third phase. [2] Between 20 January and 25 February 1929, the fourth phase concentrated on evacuating other foreign nationals and withdrawal of British, German, French and Italian legations. [2]

In 1975, Sir Geoffrey Salmond's daughter, Anne Baker, published the story of the airlift in Wings over Kabul – The First Airlift . [10]

Historical significance

The Kabul Airlift is notable as the first large-scale air evacuation in history, with a total of 586 people of eleven different nationalities being rescued. [7] [11] Considering the limitations of aircraft at the time, operating amidst a civil war, bitter cold, and mountainous terrain, the Kabul Airlift was a remarkable feat of endurance for both the airmen and the civilians involved. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European influence in Afghanistan</span> Overview of the influence of European colonial powers in Afghanistan

European influence in Afghanistan has been present in the country since the Victorian era, when the competing imperial powers of Britain and Russia contested for control over Afghanistan as part of the Great Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afghan Civil War (1928–1929)</span> Military conflict in Afghanistan from 1928 to 1929

The Afghan Civil War was fought from 14 November 1928 to 13 October 1929. Rebelling, and subsequently governing Saqqawist (Saqāwīhā) forces under Habibullāh Kalakāni fought against various opposing tribes and rival monarchs in the Kingdom of Afghanistan, among whom Mohammed Nādir Khān eventually achieved a preponderant role. Despite early successes, such as the capture of Kabul and defeat of Amanullah Khan on 17 January 1929 or the capture of Kandahar on 3 June, the Saqqawists were eventually deposed by anti-Saqqawist forces led by Nadir on 13 October 1929, leading to Nadir's ascension as King of Afghanistan, who ruled until his assassination on 3 November 1933.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inayatullah Khan</span> King of Afghanistan in 1929

Inayatullah Khan, was the King of Afghanistan for three days in January 1929. He was the son of former Afghan Emir, Habibullah Khan. Inayatullah's brief reign ended with his abdication.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanullah Khan</span> Emir then King of Afghanistan from 1919 to 1929

Ghazi Amanullah Khan was the sovereign of Afghanistan from 1919, first as Emir and after 1926 as King, until his abdication in 1929. After the end of the Third Anglo-Afghan War in August 1919, Afghanistan was able to relinquish its protected state status to proclaim independence and pursue an independent foreign policy free from the influence of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 27 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 27 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Boeing Chinook from RAF Odiham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 70 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No.70 or LXX Squadron RAF provides strategic transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vickers Victoria</span> Type of aircraft

The Vickers Type 56 Victoria was a British biplane freighter and troop transport aircraft used by the Royal Air Force. The Victoria flew for the first time in 1922 and was selected for production over the Armstrong Whitworth Awana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Habibullāh Kalakāni</span> Saqqawist ruler of Afghanistan in 1929

Habibullah Kalakani, derided by Pashtun as "Bacha-ye Saqao" was the ruler of Afghanistan from 17 January to 13 October 1929, as well as a leader of the Saqqawists. During the Afghan Civil War, he captured vast swathes of Afghanistan and ruled Kabul during what is known in Afghan historiography as the "Saqqawist period". He was an ethnic Tajik. No country recognized Kalakani as ruler of Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geoffrey Salmond</span> Royal Air Force air marshal (1878–1933)

Air Chief Marshal Sir William Geoffrey Hanson Salmond, was a senior commander in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. Remaining in the Royal Air Force after the war, he held senior appointments in the Middle East, Great Britain and India. In late 1928 and early 1929, he directed the evacuation from Kabul of British embassy staff and others, by air.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airlift</span> Military transportation of materiel and personnel using aircraft

An airlift is the organized delivery of supplies or personnel primarily via military transport aircraft.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman, was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force in the middle of the 20th century and the penultimate RAF commander-in-chief of the Indian Air Force.

The following lists events that happened during 1929 in Afghanistan. The Afghan Civil War continued from the previous year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francis Humphrys</span>

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Francis Henry Humphrys (24 April 1879 – 28 August 1971) was a British cricketer, colonial administrator and diplomat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Hinaidi</span> Former Royal Air Force station near Baghdad

Royal Air Force Hinaidi or more commonly known as RAF Hinaidi, is a former Royal Air Force station near Baghdad in the Kingdom of Iraq. It was operational from 1922 until 1937, when operations were transferred to RAF Habbaniya.

Sir Denys de Saumarez Bray, KCSI, KCIE, CBE was an etymologist and British colonial civil servant in the Empire of India, who served as Secretary of the Foreign Department of the Government of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohammad Nadir Shah</span> King of Afghanistan from 1929 to 1933

Mohammad Nadir Shah was King of Afghanistan from 15 October 1929 until his assassination in November 1933. Previously, he served as Minister of War, Afghan Ambassador to France, and as a general in the Royal Afghan Army. He and his son Mohammad Zahir Shah, who succeeded him, are part of the Musahiban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Ahmad Khan</span>

Amir Ali Ahmad Khan, Shaghasi was an Afghan king from the Shaghasi family of the Barakzai tribe who was declared king of Afghanistan twice in 1929. He was first declared amir of Afghanistan by and influential cleric, Naqib Sahib on 20 January 1929, in eastern Afghanistan,but was defeated by Kalakani at Jagdalak on 19 February 1929. He was also declared as the amir of Afghanistan for the second time on 23 June 1929 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, by another highly influential Mufti Abd. Wasi Kandahari, but was defeated and captured by Kalakani on 3 July 1929.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Army intervention in Afghanistan (1929)</span> Soviet military action

The Red Army intervention in Afghanistan in 1929 was a special operation aimed at supporting the ousted king of Afghanistan, Amanullah Khan, against the Saqqawists and Basmachi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popham panel</span> Ground-to-air signaling device

A Popham panel, or T-signalling panel, was a means of ground-to-air communication, in Morse code, developed during the First World War, before the introduction of radio communication. They were named for Robert Brooke-Popham and were used by the British and American armed forces.

<i>Wings over Kabul: The First Airlift</i> Book about a 1920s evacuation

Wings over Kabul: The First Airlift, is a book by Anne Baker and Air Chief Marshall Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman, detailing the Kabul airlift of 1928–1929. It was published in 1975 by William Kimber & Co. Limited with a foreword provided by William Dickson. Baker's father Sir Geoffrey Salmond was head of the Royal Air force in India at the time of the airlift, and directed the rescue.

References

  1. ↑ Baker, Anne; Ivelaw-Chapman, Sir Ronald (1975). Wings Over Kabul: The First Airlift. London: William Kimber & Co. Limited. p. 15. ISBN   0-7183-0184-6.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Salmond, Sir Geoffrey (1929). Report on the Air Operations in Afghanistan Between December 12th, 1928, and February 25th, 1929. p. 11.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Jefford, Jeff (2000). "The bomber transport and the Baghdad air mail" (PDF). Royal Air Force Historical Society. Oxford: Professional Book Supplies Ltd: 26. ISSN   1361-4231.
  4. 1 2 Philpott, Ian M. (2005). The Royal Air Force: The Trenchard Years, 1918–1929. Vol. I. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen and Sword Aviation. pp. 145–147. ISBN   1-84415-154-9.
  5. ↑ Baker, Kevin James (2011). War in Afghanistan. Rosenberg. p. 154. ISBN   978-1-921719-12-7.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Roe, Andrew (2012). "Evacuation by Air: The All-But-Forgotten Kabul Airlift of 1928-29". Air Power Review . Air University Press. 15 (1): 21–38. ISSN   1463-6298.
  7. 1 2 Napier, Michael (2018). "2. Policing the empire 1923-1938". The Royal Air Force: A Centenary of Operations. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 54. ISBN   978-1-4728-2539-1.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Baker, Anne (2003). "7. By Imperial Airways to India 1926:Crisis in Kabul; rescue over the mountains". From Biplane to Spitfire: the life of Air Chief Marshal Sir Geoffrey Salmond KCB KCMG DSO. Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Lee Cooper. pp. 196–215. ISBN   0-85052-980-8.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Salmond, Sir Geoffrey (1929). Report on the Air Operations in Afghanistan Between December 12th, 1928, and February 25th, 1929. p. 3.
  10. ↑ Hildred, William (February 1976). "Wings over Kabul — The First Airlift. Anne Baker and Air Chief Marshal Sir Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman". The Aeronautical Journal. 80 (782): 86. doi:10.1017/S0001924000033571. ISSN   0001-9240. S2CID   115800604.
  11. ↑ "AFGHANISTAN (KABUL EVACUATIONS). (Hansard, 6 March 1929)". api.parliament.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  12. ↑ Farmer, Ben (25 February 2009). "Afghanistan: 80 years since the British evacuation of Kabul" . The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2021.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.