1929
The ORB for parts of 1927 and most of 1928 are missing from the files.
Hinaidi
26.12.28
No 4 section under F/O A Lees proceeded to NUKHAIB for outpost duty
Mosul
5.1.29
No 5 Section under F/Lt D Craik DFC was ordered to HINAIDI from MOSUL. This section consisted of 4 Rolls Royce Armoured Cars, 4 Armed Fords, 2 Morris Tenders and 1 Ford Touring Car.
Basrah
1.2.29
On the 1st of February the disposition of the cars based at BASRAH and operating in South Eastern AREA were, No 6 Section 5 miles west of ABRAJ-AI-HIBARI. At RUHAII No 2 Section which was under orders to return to BASRAH. No 1 Section remaining at BASRAH. Owing to a recrudescence of raid rumours the orders to No 2 Section to return to BASRAH were cancelled and the Section were moved to RUSAIYAH.
Basrah
4.2.29
By the 4th of February the rumours died down and No 2 Section was withdrawn to Basrah. On the same date No 1 Section from base Basrah relieved No 6 Section, the latter returning to Basrah.
Basrah
8.2.29
No 1 Section moved to RUHAII
Basrah
13-14.2.29
News was received of the intention of IBN HITHIAIN to raid Iraq Tribes in the KUWAIT Territory. Special Air Reconnaissances of the BADIN-Kuwait revealed nothing unusual. Advantage was taken of this and No 1 Section was relieved by No 6 Section, the former Section returning to Basrah by way of ADAIBAH and QRAA-AI-MURO in Kuwait territory. Between the 15th of February and the 28th the survey of the WADIAN had been continued under escorts provided by the AAC at NUKHAIB.
Basrah
15-16.2.29
On the 16th if February Enemy reports strengthened. Nos 1 and 2 Sections based at Basrah were at SAFWAN and RUHAII respectively. Bothe Sections patrolled without any traces of raiders being discovered.
Hinaidi
22.2.29
No 3 Section under F/Lt M Bellard left to relieve No 4 Section at NUKHAIB
Hinaidi
24.2.29
No 4 Section under F/O A Lees returned from NUKHAIB. The return journey from NUKHAIB to KERBALA thence Hinaidi was over the easiest route Shanana, Dussuf, Kerbala. The Section arrived back at Hinaidi at 2045 hours GMT 24.2.29
Hinaidi
2.3.29
F/O A Lees with one Rolls Armoured and one Rolls Tender left for Amman
Hinaidi
3.3.29
F/O A Lees arrived Amman at 2155 GMT, leaving 10.3.29 for Hinaidi
Basrah
3.3.29
News was received at 0700 hours local by Air HQ, by telegram from KUWAIT stating that the BANI MALIK were being attacked close to Kuwait. No 6 Car Section from Basrah were ordered to move down the Motor Road towards Kuwait. By 1030 hours local the raiders' attack was over and they retired Southwards with their loot. The nearness of the engagement to the frontier enabled the raiders to reach sanctuary in NEJD territory before Air attack or Armoured Cars could attack them. (webmaster's note: NEJD territory refers to Saudi Arabia)
Hinaidi
11.3.29
No 5 Section under F/Lt D Craik left to relieve No 3 Section at NUKHAIB
14.3.29
F/O A Lees with one Rolls Armoured and one Rolls Tender arrived Hinaidi from Amman bringing with him on Crossley Armoured Car and one Crossley 6 wheeled Tender.
14.3.29
No 3 Section under F/lt M Ballard arrived Hinaidi from NUKHAIB. The return route from NUKHAIB was via SHANANA thence along No 4 Section tracks to LUSSUF, thence main track northward up to WADI AL KHAR, thne UKHAIDER-KABALA
16.3.29
No 2 Section with the advanced Administration Camp moved to 3 miles South West of ADHAIRAT-AL-HAMDH and No 6 Section to JAI-AL-LIYAH.
16.3.29
No 6 Section moved for the day to JAHRAH returning to their Camp for the nightt, and on the 17th one section of the Armoured Cars was withdrawn to Basrah, the other section remaining with the tribes.
3.4.29
F/Lieut’s Roach and Carey, and F/O Lees with one Crossley Armoured, one Crossley Six Wheeled Tender, one Armed Morris, and one Morris Tender left Hinaidi for Kerbala to carry out tests over country around Kerbala. Both Crossleys broke down and were entrained at Kerbala for Baghdad. F/O Lees returned by road on the 5th April, with one Morris Armed car.
6.4.29
No 5 Section under F/Lt D Craik arrived Hinaidi from Nukhaib
9.4.29
No 5 Section under F/Lt D Craik less two Armed Fords wich had been left at Nukhain to act as escort to the Wadian Survey Party, left Hinaidi for Mosul.
21.4.29
F/Lt Caswell from Car Reserve, Basrah, arrived Hinaidi with one Rolls Tender. His route was the western side of the River Euphrates.. He did the entire journey in 20 hours.
Mosul
29.4.29
No 5 Section under F/Lt D Craik with three Rolls Armoured Cars, one Rolls W/T Tender left for AIN GHAZAI, returning 30.4.29
Hinaidi
30.4.29
F/O Jeffrey MC, with one Rolls Tender and three Morris Six Wheelers containing Stores left Basrah via Samawah.
30.4.29
F/O Lees with one Rolls Armoured, two Armed Fords and two Morris Six Wheelers left UKHAIDAR for the purpose of marking trak *U* IUSSUF - UKHAIDAR
1.5.29
F/O Jeffrey MC with Rolls Tender and Morris Tenders arrived Basrah. The Rolls Tender and Morris Six Wheelers were left at Basrah as part of their establishment.
1.5.29
F/O Lees returned after completing the marking of Track *U*.
6.5.29
F/Lt M Ballard with one Crossley Armoured Car and one Crossley Six Wheeler left for Basrah via SAMAWAH. Owing to the flooding of the Euphrates the track between RUMAITHAH was practically impassable for wheeled vehicles. On the 7th both cars were fast in the mud about one mile from SAMAWAH on north side of the river. On the 8th both cars got to SAMAWAH Railway Station. A Police Guard was found by the Police, SAMAWAH. On 9th F/Lt Ballard with both Crossleys left SAMAWAH en route to Basrah, the lice preceeding on south side of railway. On the 10th F/Lt Ballard was forced to return to SAMAWAH owing to the country on the south side of the railway being unsuitable for Armoured Cars. The recognised track between SAMAWAH and UR being nder water and it was decided to entrain the cars at SAMAWAH and detrain at UR. This was done and by the 13th the cars were at UR. They left UR by road at 0900 hrs arriving Basrah 1900 same day.
17.5.29
F/O Lees with three Rolls Armoured Cars, two Armed Fords and two Morris six wheelers left Mosul for the purpose of inspecting the route BAGHDAD - MOSUL.This party returned to Hindaidi on the 21st.
10.6.29
F/Lt M Ballard with one Rolls Armoured, one Rolls W/T tender, and one Morris six wheeler W/T Tender left for AZIZIYA to carry out W/T tests. This party returned on the 11th, the tests having been successful.
18.6.29
F/Lt D Craik with three Rolls Armoured Cars, one Rolls W/T Tender, one Armed Ford and one Ford Tourer left for AIN GHAZAL leaving Mosul at 0530 hours on the 19th.
24.6.29
F/O Sherman with one Rolls Armoured and one Rolls W/T Tender left for AMMAN. This party is to collect two Rolls Royce chassis that have had a complete overhaul in Aboukir.
26.6.29
F/O Sherman arrived at AMMAN at 1545 hours GMT
1.7.29
Carfive left on reconnaissance to ERBIL, returning on the 5th.
12.7.29
Carfive left with three Rolls Royce Cars, with the Administrative Inspector for tour of the North Western Frontier. Returned to Mosul on the 23rd.
27.7.29
Southern Iraq. The W/T Detachment and Special Service Officer, temporarily established at KUWAIT in June 1929, returned to Basrah, escorted by a Section of Armoured Cars from Car Reserve, Basrah.
27.8.29
Instructions were received from the Air Ministry for an Armoured Car Section to be held in readiness to proceed to Palestine. No 3 Section under F/Lt M Ballard was detailed to stand by to proceed to Palestine at 6 hours notice.
26.12.28
No 4 section under F/O A Lees proceeded to NUKHAIB for outpost duty
Mosul
5.1.29
No 5 Section under F/Lt D Craik DFC was ordered to HINAIDI from MOSUL. This section consisted of 4 Rolls Royce Armoured Cars, 4 Armed Fords, 2 Morris Tenders and 1 Ford Touring Car.
Basrah
1.2.29
On the 1st of February the disposition of the cars based at BASRAH and operating in South Eastern AREA were, No 6 Section 5 miles west of ABRAJ-AI-HIBARI. At RUHAII No 2 Section which was under orders to return to BASRAH. No 1 Section remaining at BASRAH. Owing to a recrudescence of raid rumours the orders to No 2 Section to return to BASRAH were cancelled and the Section were moved to RUSAIYAH.
Basrah
4.2.29
By the 4th of February the rumours died down and No 2 Section was withdrawn to Basrah. On the same date No 1 Section from base Basrah relieved No 6 Section, the latter returning to Basrah.
Basrah
8.2.29
No 1 Section moved to RUHAII
Basrah
13-14.2.29
News was received of the intention of IBN HITHIAIN to raid Iraq Tribes in the KUWAIT Territory. Special Air Reconnaissances of the BADIN-Kuwait revealed nothing unusual. Advantage was taken of this and No 1 Section was relieved by No 6 Section, the former Section returning to Basrah by way of ADAIBAH and QRAA-AI-MURO in Kuwait territory. Between the 15th of February and the 28th the survey of the WADIAN had been continued under escorts provided by the AAC at NUKHAIB.
Basrah
15-16.2.29
On the 16th if February Enemy reports strengthened. Nos 1 and 2 Sections based at Basrah were at SAFWAN and RUHAII respectively. Bothe Sections patrolled without any traces of raiders being discovered.
Hinaidi
22.2.29
No 3 Section under F/Lt M Bellard left to relieve No 4 Section at NUKHAIB
Hinaidi
24.2.29
No 4 Section under F/O A Lees returned from NUKHAIB. The return journey from NUKHAIB to KERBALA thence Hinaidi was over the easiest route Shanana, Dussuf, Kerbala. The Section arrived back at Hinaidi at 2045 hours GMT 24.2.29
Hinaidi
2.3.29
F/O A Lees with one Rolls Armoured and one Rolls Tender left for Amman
Hinaidi
3.3.29
F/O A Lees arrived Amman at 2155 GMT, leaving 10.3.29 for Hinaidi
Basrah
3.3.29
News was received at 0700 hours local by Air HQ, by telegram from KUWAIT stating that the BANI MALIK were being attacked close to Kuwait. No 6 Car Section from Basrah were ordered to move down the Motor Road towards Kuwait. By 1030 hours local the raiders' attack was over and they retired Southwards with their loot. The nearness of the engagement to the frontier enabled the raiders to reach sanctuary in NEJD territory before Air attack or Armoured Cars could attack them. (webmaster's note: NEJD territory refers to Saudi Arabia)
Hinaidi
11.3.29
No 5 Section under F/Lt D Craik left to relieve No 3 Section at NUKHAIB
14.3.29
F/O A Lees with one Rolls Armoured and one Rolls Tender arrived Hinaidi from Amman bringing with him on Crossley Armoured Car and one Crossley 6 wheeled Tender.
14.3.29
No 3 Section under F/lt M Ballard arrived Hinaidi from NUKHAIB. The return route from NUKHAIB was via SHANANA thence along No 4 Section tracks to LUSSUF, thence main track northward up to WADI AL KHAR, thne UKHAIDER-KABALA
16.3.29
No 2 Section with the advanced Administration Camp moved to 3 miles South West of ADHAIRAT-AL-HAMDH and No 6 Section to JAI-AL-LIYAH.
16.3.29
No 6 Section moved for the day to JAHRAH returning to their Camp for the nightt, and on the 17th one section of the Armoured Cars was withdrawn to Basrah, the other section remaining with the tribes.
3.4.29
F/Lieut’s Roach and Carey, and F/O Lees with one Crossley Armoured, one Crossley Six Wheeled Tender, one Armed Morris, and one Morris Tender left Hinaidi for Kerbala to carry out tests over country around Kerbala. Both Crossleys broke down and were entrained at Kerbala for Baghdad. F/O Lees returned by road on the 5th April, with one Morris Armed car.
6.4.29
No 5 Section under F/Lt D Craik arrived Hinaidi from Nukhaib
9.4.29
No 5 Section under F/Lt D Craik less two Armed Fords wich had been left at Nukhain to act as escort to the Wadian Survey Party, left Hinaidi for Mosul.
21.4.29
F/Lt Caswell from Car Reserve, Basrah, arrived Hinaidi with one Rolls Tender. His route was the western side of the River Euphrates.. He did the entire journey in 20 hours.
Mosul
29.4.29
No 5 Section under F/Lt D Craik with three Rolls Armoured Cars, one Rolls W/T Tender left for AIN GHAZAI, returning 30.4.29
Hinaidi
30.4.29
F/O Jeffrey MC, with one Rolls Tender and three Morris Six Wheelers containing Stores left Basrah via Samawah.
30.4.29
F/O Lees with one Rolls Armoured, two Armed Fords and two Morris Six Wheelers left UKHAIDAR for the purpose of marking trak *U* IUSSUF - UKHAIDAR
1.5.29
F/O Jeffrey MC with Rolls Tender and Morris Tenders arrived Basrah. The Rolls Tender and Morris Six Wheelers were left at Basrah as part of their establishment.
1.5.29
F/O Lees returned after completing the marking of Track *U*.
6.5.29
F/Lt M Ballard with one Crossley Armoured Car and one Crossley Six Wheeler left for Basrah via SAMAWAH. Owing to the flooding of the Euphrates the track between RUMAITHAH was practically impassable for wheeled vehicles. On the 7th both cars were fast in the mud about one mile from SAMAWAH on north side of the river. On the 8th both cars got to SAMAWAH Railway Station. A Police Guard was found by the Police, SAMAWAH. On 9th F/Lt Ballard with both Crossleys left SAMAWAH en route to Basrah, the lice preceeding on south side of railway. On the 10th F/Lt Ballard was forced to return to SAMAWAH owing to the country on the south side of the railway being unsuitable for Armoured Cars. The recognised track between SAMAWAH and UR being nder water and it was decided to entrain the cars at SAMAWAH and detrain at UR. This was done and by the 13th the cars were at UR. They left UR by road at 0900 hrs arriving Basrah 1900 same day.
17.5.29
F/O Lees with three Rolls Armoured Cars, two Armed Fords and two Morris six wheelers left Mosul for the purpose of inspecting the route BAGHDAD - MOSUL.This party returned to Hindaidi on the 21st.
10.6.29
F/Lt M Ballard with one Rolls Armoured, one Rolls W/T tender, and one Morris six wheeler W/T Tender left for AZIZIYA to carry out W/T tests. This party returned on the 11th, the tests having been successful.
18.6.29
F/Lt D Craik with three Rolls Armoured Cars, one Rolls W/T Tender, one Armed Ford and one Ford Tourer left for AIN GHAZAL leaving Mosul at 0530 hours on the 19th.
24.6.29
F/O Sherman with one Rolls Armoured and one Rolls W/T Tender left for AMMAN. This party is to collect two Rolls Royce chassis that have had a complete overhaul in Aboukir.
26.6.29
F/O Sherman arrived at AMMAN at 1545 hours GMT
1.7.29
Carfive left on reconnaissance to ERBIL, returning on the 5th.
12.7.29
Carfive left with three Rolls Royce Cars, with the Administrative Inspector for tour of the North Western Frontier. Returned to Mosul on the 23rd.
27.7.29
Southern Iraq. The W/T Detachment and Special Service Officer, temporarily established at KUWAIT in June 1929, returned to Basrah, escorted by a Section of Armoured Cars from Car Reserve, Basrah.
27.8.29
Instructions were received from the Air Ministry for an Armoured Car Section to be held in readiness to proceed to Palestine. No 3 Section under F/Lt M Ballard was detailed to stand by to proceed to Palestine at 6 hours notice.
30.8.29
No 6 Armoured Car Section at Basrah was detailed to proceed to Hinaidi as a relief for No 3 Section.
1.9.29
No 6 Armoured Car Section arrived at Hinaidi from Basrah as a relief for No 3 Section which proceeded on the 2nd September to AMMAN via RUTBAH arriving on the 4th September. No 3 Section subsequently moved to RAMLEH arriving on the 13th September.
6.10.29
Convoy of some 29 vehicles conveying personnel and stores of No 6 (A-C) Squadron left Mosul en route to MOASCAR, on transfer of Squadron to Middle East Command. The Convoy was escorted by one Rolls Armoured Car and had a Rolls W/T Tender attached for Wireless duties. The whole convoy reached AMMAN on the 15th October. The Rolls Armoured and W/T Tender returned Hinaidi 29.10.29
13.10.29
No 2 Section from Basrah was engaged in renumbering the Desert tracks and completed by the 16th October the markings of BASRAH-JARISHAN-BUSAIYAH-SULMAN-SHABICHA Tracks.
29.10.29
No 6 Section left Hindaidi for KERBALA to carry out the renumbering of Desert Tracks of KERBALA-LUSSUF area in the Western Desert.
18.11.29
Feisal Duwish and the Mutair tribes, as a result of pressure by armed forces of H M King Ibn Sai’d of Nejd, commenced to move in order to take refuge.
19.11.29
No 1 Section, Armoured Cars, left on reconnaissance duty, making camp at ADHAIBAH and from there carrying out short reconnaissances down AL BATIN.
22.11.29
No 1 Section returned to Basrah having made no contact with the MUSAIR nor having seen any refugees from NEJD.
25.11.29
Orders were received for No 2 Section, Armoured Cars, to proceed to JAHRAH; The column did not move from Basrah however unil 2.12.29. JAHRAH was reached and a defensive camp formed at 1600 hours and stratigical reconnaissances were carried out in the Jahrah district on same day, but no rebel movements were observed.
27.11.29
No 3 Section now at Palestine under F/Lt Ballard was ordered to return to Iraq. The Section left RAMLEH on 27.12.29, reaching JERUSALEM same day.
4.12.29
No 6 Section who had been carrying out Track Marking in Western Desert returned to Hinaidi.
Squadron Leader J W Woodhouse DSO MC arrived JAHRAH and took over command of Car Reserve Column.
5.12.29
Car Reserve Column carried out reconnaissance down ASH SHAQQ where isolated parties of AJMAN were found. Information was received as to the past movements of FEISAL DUWISH and IBN HATHLAIN in the MINAQISH area. The column returned to KUWAIT across country and great difficulty was experienced by Cars sticking in the soft sand.
7.12.29
No 4 Section was ordered to entrain at Baghdad West and move to BASRAH to reinforce Car Reserve.
8.12.29
Car Reserve Column returned to Basrah
11.12.29
No 3 Section under F/Lt Ballard returned to Hinaidi from Palestine, having had great difficulties in crossing wadies.
14.12.29
No's 2 and 4 Sections were ordered to ADHAIBAH, there to form a defensive camp and made reconnaissance down AL BATIN to the NEJD frontier, reporting all movements seen and to compel any rebels encountered to return across the frontier of Iraq and Kuwait to Nejd. Communication was established with Captain Glubb (Administrative Inspector, Southern Desert).
15.12.29
Car Reserve Column formed defensive cap at ADHAIBAH at 0915 hours.
16.12.29
A reconnaissance was made down AL BATIN by Car Reserve Column consisting of six Rolls Royce Armoured Cars, two Rolls Royce Wireless Tenders, and a Section of Ford cars. At 0900 hours on this day, first contact was made with the rebels. One hundred tents and large flocks of camels and sheep and elements of the AJMAN under the leadership of Ibn Hathlain and Abullah al Damar were encountered. Instructions were given them o leave Iraq and Kuwait territory within 24 hours. Later in the day, 200 tents and large numbers of animals were found encamped at AL UBAID. These were Mutair belonging to Brai and Shiblan sections under the leadership of Mukalif Ibn Jarbu and Feisal Ibn Shiblan respectively. A report as received at Ar Raga'l - where a defensive camp was made for the night - that Duwish was encamped 7 miles to the South West in Nejd territory. The column was reinforced by Carone at ADHAIBAH. S/L J W Woodhouse DSO MC accompanied Carone and took over entire command. From the 16th, daily reconnaissances over a wide area were carried out and contact was maintained with all the rebels elements throughout. The rebel tribes had not carried out the instructions given them to depart from Iraq and Kuwait and in many cases had moved further into our territory.
20.12.29
Three Sections from Basrah called "Car Reserve column" were operating down the BATIN in ejecting the AJMAN from Iraq territory, proceeded to AL-ABTIYYAH in response to an urgent call from assistance from the Police Post located at JULAIDAH in the neutral zone. On the Police summons proving to be false the Car Column proceeded back to ADHAIBAH. on the 22.12.29 Captain Glubb OBE MC joined the Car Column at ABU KHUTALMAH and too charge of operations. On the 25.12.29 the CSO and Car Column proceeded to ADHAIBAH to further enforce the orders issued to IBN HITHLAIN and the AJMAN to leave Iraq territory.
22.12.29
Air Commodore C S Burnett CB CBE DSO (Chief Staff Officer) assumed command of all Units operating in the Souther Desert. Ibn Mashur - Mutair section leader - who had previously been ordered to the Neautral Area, was found encamped 18 miles East of Al Abtiyah on KHOR GHANAIM. He surrendered to Air Commodore Burnett, and his followers were disarmed and handed over to the Desert Police for safe custody and conveyance to Busaiyah Fort. During the period under review, Air co-operation had been carried out with No 84 and No 55 (Bomber) Squadrons, and all rations, petrol and water for the columns operating in the Southern Desert had been delivered by Victoria. On no occasions was there any delay in the safe arrival of these essential commodoties.
25.12.29
(Christmas Day) Was spent under very adverse conditions at Adhaibah, the camp being completely flooded out by heavy rains which lasted well into the following day.
26.12.29
Reconnaissance was made down AL BATIN and contact maintained with a large number of rebels.
29.12.29
Information was received that Duwish had been raided on the frontier - near Ar Raga'i by Mashur al Firm (Harb) and that he had been defeated and was in flight, having lost most of his camels. Captain Glubb later on that day personnally met Duwish in the vicinity of the Battlefield with a following of six or seven men on foot.
30.12.29
No 5 Section detached at Mosul under F/Lt Caswell was ordered down to Hinaidi arriving same day.
The Nejd Insurgency and the British Involvement (pdf - 20 mb)
Webmaster: The document above gives an interesting analysis of the background, and subsequent events of the uprising in Nejd....events that lead to some of the activities of the AAC in the later part of 1929 and early 1930.
No 6 Armoured Car Section at Basrah was detailed to proceed to Hinaidi as a relief for No 3 Section.
1.9.29
No 6 Armoured Car Section arrived at Hinaidi from Basrah as a relief for No 3 Section which proceeded on the 2nd September to AMMAN via RUTBAH arriving on the 4th September. No 3 Section subsequently moved to RAMLEH arriving on the 13th September.
6.10.29
Convoy of some 29 vehicles conveying personnel and stores of No 6 (A-C) Squadron left Mosul en route to MOASCAR, on transfer of Squadron to Middle East Command. The Convoy was escorted by one Rolls Armoured Car and had a Rolls W/T Tender attached for Wireless duties. The whole convoy reached AMMAN on the 15th October. The Rolls Armoured and W/T Tender returned Hinaidi 29.10.29
13.10.29
No 2 Section from Basrah was engaged in renumbering the Desert tracks and completed by the 16th October the markings of BASRAH-JARISHAN-BUSAIYAH-SULMAN-SHABICHA Tracks.
29.10.29
No 6 Section left Hindaidi for KERBALA to carry out the renumbering of Desert Tracks of KERBALA-LUSSUF area in the Western Desert.
18.11.29
Feisal Duwish and the Mutair tribes, as a result of pressure by armed forces of H M King Ibn Sai’d of Nejd, commenced to move in order to take refuge.
19.11.29
No 1 Section, Armoured Cars, left on reconnaissance duty, making camp at ADHAIBAH and from there carrying out short reconnaissances down AL BATIN.
22.11.29
No 1 Section returned to Basrah having made no contact with the MUSAIR nor having seen any refugees from NEJD.
25.11.29
Orders were received for No 2 Section, Armoured Cars, to proceed to JAHRAH; The column did not move from Basrah however unil 2.12.29. JAHRAH was reached and a defensive camp formed at 1600 hours and stratigical reconnaissances were carried out in the Jahrah district on same day, but no rebel movements were observed.
27.11.29
No 3 Section now at Palestine under F/Lt Ballard was ordered to return to Iraq. The Section left RAMLEH on 27.12.29, reaching JERUSALEM same day.
4.12.29
No 6 Section who had been carrying out Track Marking in Western Desert returned to Hinaidi.
Squadron Leader J W Woodhouse DSO MC arrived JAHRAH and took over command of Car Reserve Column.
5.12.29
Car Reserve Column carried out reconnaissance down ASH SHAQQ where isolated parties of AJMAN were found. Information was received as to the past movements of FEISAL DUWISH and IBN HATHLAIN in the MINAQISH area. The column returned to KUWAIT across country and great difficulty was experienced by Cars sticking in the soft sand.
7.12.29
No 4 Section was ordered to entrain at Baghdad West and move to BASRAH to reinforce Car Reserve.
8.12.29
Car Reserve Column returned to Basrah
11.12.29
No 3 Section under F/Lt Ballard returned to Hinaidi from Palestine, having had great difficulties in crossing wadies.
14.12.29
No's 2 and 4 Sections were ordered to ADHAIBAH, there to form a defensive camp and made reconnaissance down AL BATIN to the NEJD frontier, reporting all movements seen and to compel any rebels encountered to return across the frontier of Iraq and Kuwait to Nejd. Communication was established with Captain Glubb (Administrative Inspector, Southern Desert).
15.12.29
Car Reserve Column formed defensive cap at ADHAIBAH at 0915 hours.
16.12.29
A reconnaissance was made down AL BATIN by Car Reserve Column consisting of six Rolls Royce Armoured Cars, two Rolls Royce Wireless Tenders, and a Section of Ford cars. At 0900 hours on this day, first contact was made with the rebels. One hundred tents and large flocks of camels and sheep and elements of the AJMAN under the leadership of Ibn Hathlain and Abullah al Damar were encountered. Instructions were given them o leave Iraq and Kuwait territory within 24 hours. Later in the day, 200 tents and large numbers of animals were found encamped at AL UBAID. These were Mutair belonging to Brai and Shiblan sections under the leadership of Mukalif Ibn Jarbu and Feisal Ibn Shiblan respectively. A report as received at Ar Raga'l - where a defensive camp was made for the night - that Duwish was encamped 7 miles to the South West in Nejd territory. The column was reinforced by Carone at ADHAIBAH. S/L J W Woodhouse DSO MC accompanied Carone and took over entire command. From the 16th, daily reconnaissances over a wide area were carried out and contact was maintained with all the rebels elements throughout. The rebel tribes had not carried out the instructions given them to depart from Iraq and Kuwait and in many cases had moved further into our territory.
20.12.29
Three Sections from Basrah called "Car Reserve column" were operating down the BATIN in ejecting the AJMAN from Iraq territory, proceeded to AL-ABTIYYAH in response to an urgent call from assistance from the Police Post located at JULAIDAH in the neutral zone. On the Police summons proving to be false the Car Column proceeded back to ADHAIBAH. on the 22.12.29 Captain Glubb OBE MC joined the Car Column at ABU KHUTALMAH and too charge of operations. On the 25.12.29 the CSO and Car Column proceeded to ADHAIBAH to further enforce the orders issued to IBN HITHLAIN and the AJMAN to leave Iraq territory.
22.12.29
Air Commodore C S Burnett CB CBE DSO (Chief Staff Officer) assumed command of all Units operating in the Souther Desert. Ibn Mashur - Mutair section leader - who had previously been ordered to the Neautral Area, was found encamped 18 miles East of Al Abtiyah on KHOR GHANAIM. He surrendered to Air Commodore Burnett, and his followers were disarmed and handed over to the Desert Police for safe custody and conveyance to Busaiyah Fort. During the period under review, Air co-operation had been carried out with No 84 and No 55 (Bomber) Squadrons, and all rations, petrol and water for the columns operating in the Southern Desert had been delivered by Victoria. On no occasions was there any delay in the safe arrival of these essential commodoties.
25.12.29
(Christmas Day) Was spent under very adverse conditions at Adhaibah, the camp being completely flooded out by heavy rains which lasted well into the following day.
26.12.29
Reconnaissance was made down AL BATIN and contact maintained with a large number of rebels.
29.12.29
Information was received that Duwish had been raided on the frontier - near Ar Raga'i by Mashur al Firm (Harb) and that he had been defeated and was in flight, having lost most of his camels. Captain Glubb later on that day personnally met Duwish in the vicinity of the Battlefield with a following of six or seven men on foot.
30.12.29
No 5 Section detached at Mosul under F/Lt Caswell was ordered down to Hinaidi arriving same day.
The Nejd Insurgency and the British Involvement (pdf - 20 mb)
Webmaster: The document above gives an interesting analysis of the background, and subsequent events of the uprising in Nejd....events that lead to some of the activities of the AAC in the later part of 1929 and early 1930.
