AIRMEN IN IRAQ

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1929, Page 5

AIRMEN IN IRAQ

EXPERIENCES OF AN AVIATOR

(Australian Press Association)

(Received this day at 8.30. a.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 2.

The perils of aviators of the Royal A’’r Force doing duty at Iraq near trie Turkish and Persian frontiers, was told by a flying officer, L. B. McGovern, who arrived at Sydney on the way to New Zealand with Ins wife.

He says most of his service at Iraq consisted of watching savage bands of marauders who left the rugged hills to raid British subjects in the villages and plains,

British aerodromes were scattered round the key position and aeroplanes were able to pick out the Arab raiders’ caravans or discover their hidden camps, and scattered them with bombs or machine-gun fire from great heights. Many flying men had paid the price for their daring with shattered bodies, together with the wreckage of their machines, which often were never discovered. Forced landings usually meant that these daring fellows would he ruthlessly murdered by their avengers who were adepts with German and Turkish rifles. When firing they always allow for the speed of the aero-

planes. McGovern paid a tribute to the men who administered in lonely parts in Iraq. They were completely isolated and had to act on their own initiative.