"The Origins and Development of The Communications Flight, RAF Habbaniya, Iraq, from 1939-41" This abbreviated History of the Origins of the 'Communications Flight' is intended to give an outline of the development of the Unit from a small Transport Detachment of No. 70 Squadron at the Outbreak of War to a Unit in its own right in 1941, and to chart the history of Maurice Roy Skeet from Pilot Officer to the rank of Flight Lieutenant and Officer Commanding "The Communications Flight' in the "Battle for Habbaniya" during May 1941, untill his return to the United Kingdom in early 1942. ********** According to the Official Records the "Communications Flight, Iraq" was disbanded at the outbreak of World War II. The Original Unit consisted of "C" Flight No 70 Squadron under the Command of Squadron Leader H.A.Simmons. On the 9th of October 1939 the main bulk of "C" Flight flew to RAF Helwan to rejoin No. 70 Squadron for Combat duty in Egypt and North Africa. "A" and "B" Flights of No. 70 Squadron who were previously Stationed at Habbaniya had proceeded to Helwan during September under the Directives of the "BELLUM PLAN". However 2 Valentia's with Crews remained at RAF Habbaniya to carry out routine transport duties, this remaining detachment of "C" Flight was comprised of the following personnel: - Officer Commanding, Flt Lt (Acting) H.W.Barnard. 39800 P/O Skeet M.R. (Pilot) 565030 Sgt Thornley W. (Pilot/Fitt.I) 565489 Sgt Clements C. (Pilot/Fitt.I) 517915 LAC Taylor E. (Fitt.II) 566026 LAC Cruickshank A. (Fitt.II) 528949 LAC Fairburn T. (Flt.Rigg') 529283 LAC Wilson G.W. (Flt.Rigg') 546476 AC1 Hewit H.B. (Flt.Mech') 540435 AC1 Reeves T. (Flt.Rigg') 539310 AC2 Howarth J. (W.Op's) 516933 AC2 Pinnick G.W. (F.A.E.) The Detachment's Valentia Aircraft are recorded as being, K.3161 and K.8848. Unfortunately no details as to the activities of this Detachment during the period September 1939 to August 1940 are presently available, however Pilot Officer M.R.Skeet was recorded as being at Bahrein on the 13th of October 1939 for duty in Iraq. He received promotion to Flying Officer on the 13th of December 1939 and is next recorded on duty at RAF Helwan on the 4th June 1940, and then at RAF Heliopolis until August 1940. On the 6th of August Flying Officer M.R.Skeet arrived from RAF Heliopolis to assume the role of Officer Commanding the Transport Detachment at Habbaniya, replacing acting Flt Lt Barnard who returned to RAF Heliopolis. On the 5th of October 1940 No. 70 Sqn Detachment at Habbaniya was transferred in its entirety to No. 216 Sqn forming No. 216 Sqn Detachment at RAF Habbaniya with F/O Skeet retaining command, the strength of the Detachment at that date is recorded as being: - 2 officers, 3 Non Commissioned Officers, 12 Airmen including one attached. The Detachments equipment is recorded as: - 3 Valentia's with one Aircraft maintained by the Detachment for the use of No 4 S.F.T.S. as an Observers Training Aircraft. This Detachment is recorded as having carried out Proof Dropping of Incendiary Bombs, and practiced Supply Dropping, Night Flying and Forced Landings During October and November. On the 14th of December 1940 on the recommendation of the Officer Commanding, No. 216 Sqn Detachment Habbaniya was disbanded and all personnel and Aircraft transferred to the reformed "Communications Flight Iraq" with the newly promoted Flight Lieutenant M.R.Skeet retaining his position as Officer Commanding. The strength of the Communications Flight at that date was recorded as: - 2 Officers, 3 S.N.C.O.s, 2 Cpl's, and 8 Airmen. The Flights equipment is recorded as being: - 2 Initial Equipment Valentia's and 1 Initial Equipment Valentia attached for maintenance. A note is attached to the record stating that it was the intention of Air Headquarters to bring the strength of the Flight up to the then proposed War establishment as soon as circumstances permitted. On the 9th January 1941 the Flight transported Army Officers to the Pumping Station H3 at RUTBAH, and a newly established Landing Ground (No.5) to inspect its defences. On the 3rd of February 1941, Air Headquarters published a Provisional War Establishment for the Flight consisting of: - 2 Flying Officers, 2 Airmen Pilots, 1 Clerk G.D., 1 Equipment Assistant (A/C), 1 Flight Fitter I., 3 Corporal Fitters, 4 A.C. Fitters IIa, 4 A.C. Fitters IIE, 8 A.C. Flight Mechanics, 7 A.C. Flight Riggers, 1 A.C. Instrument Repairer, 3 A.C. W/T Operators, 1 Corporal W/T mechanic, and 4 Civilian Cleaners. Establishment Aircraft: - 2 Initial Equipment Valentia's, 1 Initial Reserve Valentia, 1 Oxford I.E., and 1 Gordon I.E. However, the existing Communications Flight Strength on the 3rd Feb' was: - 2 Flying Officers, 2 Airmen Pilots, 1 Sergeant Fitter I, 1 Clerk G.D., 1 Corporal Equipment Assistant, 1 Corporal Fitter II, 1 A.C. Fitter IIA, 1 A.C. Fitter IIE, 2 A.C. Flight Mechanics, 2 A.C. Flight riggers, 2 A.C. W/Op's, 1 A.C. A.C.H. The Flights Aircraft were then 2 Valentia's. On the 10th February Valentia K.8852 flew to H4 and transported General NEAME and his staff to Habbaniya. During February exercises in Blind Flying, Forced Landings and Navigation were carried out by the Flight in addition to their Routine Transport Duties. In March 1941 in addition to Routine Duties the Flight carried out reconnaissance missions to inspect the Bunds (flood barriers) and the prevailing flood conditions on the river Euphrates and the Iraqi Town of Fallujah. April 1941:- Click Here to read the preparations of the 'Flight' leading to the Siege of RAF HABBANIYA. May 1941: - Click Here to read the conduct of the 'Flight' in the 'BATTLE' and its aftermath. Following the events of April and May the Communications Flight continued with its additional duties transporting Troops and Equipment in accordance with "IRAQ COMMAND OPERATION ORDER NO. 18/1941". On the 2nd of June the Flight proceeded to Baghdad to collect released British Prisoners of War held by the Iraqi's during the Battle, and on the 3rd and 4th in liaison with 31 Squadron transported 2/4th Gurkha Rifles to Mosul to occupy the Airfield for RAF Squadron use. Colonel "ROBERTS" was collected from Baghdad on the 8th and Group Captain "SAVILE" was transported to and from Baghdad on the 10th. On the 14th General "WATERHOUSE" was collected from RAF HELIOPOLIS and on the 19th General "SLIM" and the AIR OFFICER COMMANDING were transported to MOSUL. Intelligence Officers were transported to Baghdad on the 21st and Sick Cases collected from MOSUL on the 22nd. On the 24th Engineering Personnel were transported to K.3. and KIRKUK to investigate Messerschmitt 110's and CR.42's of the defeated enemy forces. In the records Flight Lieutenant Skeet remarks that considerable changes had taken place in the Flight during the month of June and lists the allotment of additional Aircraft and personnel as follows: - ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT. 2 Tiger Moth's (K.4255 and K.4252) 7 Airspeed Oxford's (P.1940, P.1942, L.4650, L4656, L.4662, L.4668, L.4667.) 1 Bristol Blenhiem (L.6656.) 1 Vickers Valentia (K.3599.) ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL. 566579 Sgt Smithers, W.J. (Fitt' II) 566483 Cpl Barker, F.W. (Fitt' II) 517986 AC1 Bennet, S. (Fitt' II) 523682 LAC Hall, R. (F/Mech') 522975 LAC Ellis, A.W. (F/Mech') 542433 LAC Fenton, J. (F/Mech') 649693 AC1 Lambert, P.W. (F/Mech') 542318 LAC Puttick, H.J. (F/Mech') 648229 AC1 Pain, S. (F/Mech') 528356 AC1 Ellis, N. (Fitt' II) 649661 AC1 Hayes, R.H. (Fitt' II) It is believed that the Aircraft transferred were those remaining at Habbaniya when the No. 4 Flying School were relocated. From July 1941 to the end of the year the Communications Flight returned to its mainly routine Duties including the transportation of such Notables and High Ranking Officers as General "HARVEY" from Baghdad on the 15th of July. The AIR OFFICER COMMANDING IRAQ, Air Vice Marshall "D'ALBIAC" to Mosul on the 21st and Baghdad on the 27th of September and General "SLIM" to Deir Ez Zor and Alleppo on the 3rd of August. General "QUINAN" to Baghdad and Mosul on the 15th and 18th of October and General "CORBETT" to Deir Ez Zor on the 19th. Air Vice Marshall "D'ALBIAC was transported to and from Baghdad on the 27th and 28th of October. The "AMIR ABDULLAH OF TRANSJORDAN" (Regent of Iraq) was transported with attaches to Habbaniya and returned to Baghdad on the 31st of October. The AIR OFFICER COMMANDING IRAQ was transported to and from Baghdad on the 8th of November. References: - (AIR27/613,614,619,620,1333. and AIR29/893.) On the 5th of December 1941 Flt Lt Skeet received a posting to the United Kingdom but due to lack of transport facilities remained on temporary loan to the Middle East untill returning to the United Kingdom on the 16th February 1942. (Following his return to the United Kingdom, Maurice Roy Skeet continued his Flying duties with RAF BOMBER COMMAND having been promoted to Squadron Leader and later with No.158 Squadron as "Flight Commander" of "A" Flight he took part in the first and second "Thousand Bomber Raids" over Germany in May and June 1942. His tragic death occurred on the 26th of June 1942.) ********* HOME PAGE PAGE TOP SITE CONTENTS All content Copyright © Michael A.R.Skeet. 2001-2007, except where otherwise stated.