by Griff Hosker
“You know the irony of all this, don’t you?”
I looked at Ted through a fug of smoke. “Not really.”
“The lorries arrived in Cairo. The soldiers had collected the weapons from the ambush. Those Lewis guns and the other weapons were the ones stolen weeks ago. They were intended for us. Our aeroplanes were shot down by our own bloody guns!”
He was right. I determined to do all that we could to make sure that the insurgents received no more of our weapons.
Over the next days we managed to stop two more ambushes. We did so by leaving earlier. I realised that we were becoming predictable. There were Egyptians all around the airfield. I was not foolish enough to believe that all were innocent. Some would be insurgents or spies. Corporal Swanston was all for nipping out one night and bringing a couple back for questioning. We could not do that. We were bound by rules even if they were not. We hurt them for there were ten men in each ambush and more than half their numbers became casualties.
By the time it was autumn we had a system in place which worked. The air ambulance had been used once to bring back a badly injured soldier from a remote outpost. Lieutenant Sanderson even had training as a medic. Henry and the Doc supplied the information he needed.
It was in September that we finally received mail. I had sent letters home regularly but none of us had had any replies. There was only Ted who was unconcerned about mail. He had no one in England. His life was in the Middle East. There were eight letters from Beattie. I smoked three pipefuls as I read them. They were a snapshot of her life with Tom. It broke my heart that he was growing up and I was missing it. His birthday would soon be upon us and I would not be there. I felt frustrated. I knew that Beattie and Tom could not come out to Cairo; it was far too dangerous. I contemplated requesting a leave but I knew I could not do that while others were still serving. The letter in the middle, written in July, gave me the news that Beattie was expecting our second child. My last leave had been memorable for a number of reasons. My second child would be born in January 1920. There was little prospect of me getting home to be with her. My good mood disappeared as I realised that I would not be there again.
It was in November that I received a visit from Colonel Fisher. He looked particularly pleased with himself. I thought it was because we had managed to ensure that convoys still reached Cairo. However, when he produced a letter addressed to me and signed by Winston Churchill I understood the true reason. “Congratulations, Bill, you are now a Wing Commander!” Lieutenant Simpson-Jones appeared with a case of whisky. “I thought we might celebrate eh?”
The Colonel and the lieutenant left after a couple of hours but we continued with the party. Henry and the others kept saluting me and calling me sir. “You can stop that! I am still the same chap I always was. We will save the sirs for those times when the brass is around!”
I knew it was a larger salary. Beattie would be pleased. In her letters, she had described what a lovely house we had and how the garden was a delight. Now she could afford to furnish it well. The promotion still did not make up for my absence.
With the cooler weather came an escalation in violence. Captain Connor woke me one late November morning. “Sir. We have a problem. It seems that the garrison at Beni Suef is under attack. It looks to be a serious attempt to cut off Sudan from Cairo.”
“Does the Colonel want us to evacuate them?”
“No sir. The Vernons will take reinforcements and we are ordered to eliminate the threat.”
“Right then get the squadron leaders together. We will brief them. Get me maps.”
Breakfast was on the hoof. The cooks made corned beef sandwiches which we washed down with mugs of hot sweetened tea. The squadron leaders knew something was up but not what. I told them of our mission and Ted brought me the maps. “It is ninety miles south of here. The Vernons will have to wait for the reinforcements but we will leave as soon as I have finished here. This is a more serious threat than the oasis attack. The outpost guards the road to Sudan and Somaliland. If we lose that then there are even more garrisons which could be cut off. The first thing we need to do is to secure a landing site for the Vernons. I have no idea what the ground is like. I am guessing that the road may be our best option. Ben, you will have to play it by ear.”
“At least this time we will be armed.”
“Now, looking at the map I can see that the ground to the west of the Nile is very fertile while that to the east is desert. They will be using the fertile land for cover. Jack, I want your Nanaks to go in first and drop a pair of bombs from each aeroplane. We will then strafe them. We use our bombs like a rolling barrage. Once the Nanaks have used their bombs then the Snipes will drop theirs. I want the DH 9as to keep their Vickers to cover the Vernons when they land. We will fly in a formation of four aeroplanes.”
Satisfied that they all knew what they were doing we went to our aeroplanes. Williams handed me a couple of Mills bombs. We did not leave them in the aeroplane in case we had saboteurs. It was dawn before we were all ready to leave. It was pleasantly cool. I led the aeroplanes as we took off. The advantage of navigating in Egypt was that the Nile was a perfect marker. Anything of importance lay along it and so we just followed the brown snake south. Once again, I regretted not having a radio but there was little we could do about that. I knew that sometime in the near future every aeroplane would have a two-way radio and then communication would be much easier. We had to rely on hand signals and shared experiences. The four aeroplanes behind me were led by Jack and were the first of the DH 9as. Above us flew the Snipes. The Vernons had not even begun to load and with a top speed, unladen, of only seventy-five miles an hour, they were not going to be following us any time soon.
Captain Connor had told us that the garrison was half a company strong. That meant sixty men. As we had discovered at the oasis it was the lack of ammunition which would cause problems. With so many insurgents and saboteurs it did not make sense to store too much ammunition in case it was stolen or blown up. The garrison would have to husband what they had. As I looked to the eastern sky I saw that it would not be a bright day. There was cloud cover. In this part of the world that rarely meant rain but it would be marginally cooler and I would take that. When we were just under an hour into the flight I began to descend to a hundred feet. I swung east so that we could approach the besieged garrison from the east. I wanted the sun behind us.
As I banked I saw flashes in the distance. There were bigger guns there. Were they the garrison’s or the attacker’s? Once we had crossed the Nile and flown south east for a few minutes I banked again to bring us around to face west. The Union flag was a good marker. This time the garrison knew that we were coming. They had been told by radio. They would have hope. I saw that the rebels were using the river too. It looked like they had captured a river steamer and were using that to attack the walls of the outpost. I made the signal to the DH 9as behind. I saw Lieutenant Giggs begin his attack. I did not see it but I heard his Vickers and then there was the sound of a double explosion. When we came around for a second pass I would be able to see what effect he had had.
I raised the nose to clear the flag and then cocked my Vickers. The insurgents were hidden. However, you cannot hide a muzzle flash. I fired at the flashes. My bullets tore into the undergrowth revealing a machine gun. The Nanaks were under orders to use their bombs first. The Snipes would follow and mop up any who survived the first bombing run. I pulled up the nose once I had cleared the trees. I saw the road. It looked to be clear. The Vernons could use it but first we would have to drive the rebels from the ground on either side of it. I banked to port to assess the effect of the bombs. Twenty bombs can do a great deal of damage. They tore through the trees and into the men who, until a few moments ago had been hidden.
I continued down the river. I was looking for more enemies. I could not see any but that did not mean that they were not there. The Snipes’ machine guns chattered death as they fired into the hidden and camouflaged Egyptia
ns. I continued my turn and headed up the river. The DH 9as just turned to come back on a reciprocal course. Between the Nanak’s bombs and the Snipes’ machine guns I hoped that there would not be too many enemies left.
I saw the steamer. It was still afloat, just. I dropped as low as I could and then opened fire. The ones who saw me hurled themselves into the river. I saw the deadly shapes of crocodiles. Most would not survive their immersion in the river. I emptied the right-hand Vickers. The bullets tore through the wooden hull. I finished what the bombs had started. Then I climbed and I banked to head for the road. I saw insurgents. They were trying to build a barricade. They must have thought we would send reinforcements by road. I could not allow them to stop the Vernons from landing. They would be just half an hour away.
I swung around to attack along the length of the road. I readied one of the Mills bombs. I dropped as low as I could and fired the left-hand Vickers. The bullets chipped through flesh and wood. I stopped firing when I was twenty yards from the barricade. I pulled the pin out of the grenade with my teeth and, as I raced just forty feet above them, dropped the grenade and then pulled up. I heard the crump and, as I climbed, I saw in the mirror that there was no threat on the road. Just to be certain I climbed and looped. I saw the Snipes chasing away the last of the insurgents. The explosions told me that they were using their bombs on any sign of organized resistance. The road was clear and, in the distance I saw the Vernons as they lumbered along the river. I flew lazy circles to show Ben that it was safe to land.
Neither the Snipes nor myself could afford to stay over the garrison for too long. We did not have the endurance of the other aeroplanes. I watched the troops disgorge from the transports and then the supplies. I waited until they began to load the wounded and then headed north. The last thing I saw was Lieutenant Sanderson as he landed to act as an air ambulance if another was needed.
Once again, I was almost flying on fumes when I landed. Captain Connor strode over to greet me. “Squadron Leader Mannock was on the radio. They managed to take off safely. They have fifteen casualties. Colonel Fisher said well done.”
“I am just glad we were able to be of some assistance. Those poor chaps were stuck out on a limb!”
“Oh, and he said he will be coming to see you tomorrow with some new orders. Apparently, he would have come today but the emergency made him postpone it. He sounded ominously serious when he spoke to me.”
The three squadrons were in high spirits when we landed. We had inflicted a defeat upon the enemy and we had suffered no losses. The men celebrated. Even Sergeant Major Robson seemed happy for none of the aeroplanes had caused any problems.
Part Three
Somaliland
Chapter 12
When the Colonel arrived, he had with him an officer of Intelligence. He was introduced to me as Major Buchan. He looked to be of an age with me. He had medal ribbons which suggested a more active life than that of an officer of Intelligence. I was going to close the door to give the three of us some privacy when Major Buchan said, “I think Captain Connor should hear the briefing, Wing Commander.”
I nodded, “That will not be a problem. Captain Connor would you care to join us.”
Ted seemed bemused and he lit a cheroot but his eyes never left the map that Major Buchan unfolded.
“This is Somaliland. Since 1904 we have been fighting Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan.”
Ted sat up, “The Mad Mullah!”
Major Buchan smiled, “Some of the sensational journalists and newspapers have reported him thus however he is a very clever commander. At the battle of Dul Madoba in 1913 he and his Dervishes defeated our troops. Since then he has controlled large parts of British Somaliland, particularly around the Horn of Africa. Mr. Churchill and other members of the British Government are keen to bring him to book. He rules as a warlord. He hides behind Islam and uses it as a weapon against the people. The Christians of the region have been systematically hunted down and slaughtered. It cannot go on. However, there is no appetite in Horse Guards to send large numbers of troops. We lost many troops attacking his numerous hillforts. It is a desolate part of the world at the best of times. This Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan is a bandit and a warlord. He hides behind Islam but he really just wants to rule Somaliland. The women and children are virtual slaves to his warriors.” He shook his head, “They have captured British soldiers and… well I won’t go into details but it is barbaric. No one wants to put British soldiers in the front line to face that.”
I knew what was coming. As soon as he mentioned Churchill I knew. When I had spoken with the Minister and Mr. Balfour they had intimidated about Somaliland and now I saw why.
“Mr. Churchill persuaded the generals that you and a squadron of DH 9as could defeat them. You are to command Z Force.” He took out three sheets of paper. He gave one to me, one to Captain Connor and one to Colonel Fisher. “Here are the forces at your disposal. Apart from your air crew and support troops you will have the Somaliland Camel Corps and a battalion of the King’s African Rifles. Both those units are already on their way to Berbera, which is on the coast. They are travelling by ship. The seaplane carrier, Ark Royal, is waiting for you at Suez. You will have your aeroplanes loaded upon her decks. There are vehicles aboard freighters and you will be shipped down to Berbera.”
I felt my mouth dropping open. We had only just built a base here at Heliopolis. Now we had to do the same except we had to do it in a land controlled by Dervishes. “With respect Major Buchan, we will be a long way from any sort of help.”
“You have a good reputation, Wing Commander. No let me rephrase that. You have an impeccable record. Both Mr. Churchill and Colonel Fisher believe that you can do this. You have shown that no matter what the difficulties you are capable of overcoming them. The Ark Royal will remain on station for as long as you need her and you will be kept supplied through Berbera. Your aeroplanes will be lifted by crane aboard the carrier and offloaded in the same way in Berbera. One of your DH 9as will be fitted with a radio so that you can coordinate with the other two units. That will be done while you are at sea.”
I took out my pipe and began to clean it. It was my way of buying time to think.
Captain Connor said, “And I take it I will be there too.”
“Yes. You will be the Wing Commander’s chief of staff. You will need to take some of your senior warrant officers. The Camel Corps and King’s African Rifles have white officers but they are largely native contingents. You, Captain Connor, will be responsible for coordinating them.”
Having cleaned out my pipe I began to fill it. All eyes were on me but I waited until I had the pipe going. I saw a smile appear on Captain Connor’s face. He knew what I was doing. “I can see how we get the aeroplanes on the seaplane carrier. With judicious handling they can be loaded and unloaded but, once at Berbera, how in God’s name do you think we can take off? I doubt that there is a road there let alone an airfield.”
Major Buchan nodded, “You are quite right you will need to build an airfield. However, we are providing six trailers. They will transport your aeroplanes to a place suitable to be made into an airfield. I assume you will be taking your Dolphin. That means three trips once you have built your airfield. Your aeroplanes can stay on the Ark Royal until you are ready to offload them.”
“Do we have Captain Cooper and his men?”
Colonel Fisher shook his head, “They still have work here and in Cairo. Sorry, Bill.”
“So, my chaps have to build our own airfield.”
He nodded, “Your people will know the best place to build it. It does not have to be very grand. Just a flat place to take off and land. I believe that, in France, you had quite primitive conditions at times.”
“We never had to hew an airfield from desert and rock nor did we have Dervishes attacking us while we did it. Normally our airfields were forty or fifty miles behind our lines.””
Major Buchan smiled, “You are a resourceful chap and Mr. Churchil
l has great faith in you.”
I glanced at Ted who cocked his head to one side and nodded. I stood and went to the map on the wall. There looked to be nothing, save a solitary road which went through a pass in the highlands. There was rock and desert. We would not have to worry about rain; they had none and sand would make a good surface on which to land if there was rock beneath it. “So, our mission is to defeat this Mullah and then we are done?”
“Yes, once that is achieved then you come back here.”
“No, Major, once that is achieved then the men who go to Somaliland get a leave and have some time in Blighty! It is the least you can do!” There was an edge to my voice.
The Major looked at the Colonel. “I am not certain that Whitehall likes such demands but…”
“If Mr. Churchill holds me in such esteem then he can grant me my request, which, after the efforts my men have and will be putting in, does not seem unreasonable. You have been fighting this Mullah for the last fifteen or so years with no success. You now expect us to go and complete it in a couple of months! I would have thought a month’s leave was a small price to pay.”
A brief silence fell upon the room and I puffed contentedly on my pipe. Colonel Fisher said, “I am certain, Wing Commander, that Mr. Churchill will accede to your request. In my opinion it is merited.”
“Then we will deal with this chap and then go home!” They both nodded. There was no handshake but a deal had been made.
“Splendid. Here are the maps and the intelligence we have gathered. It seems Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan used some forts which control key areas. There are few roads in the area and the forts are the key. Artillery could do the job but the terrain does not allow us to use artillery. We will have to use your aeroplanes as mobile artillery.”
