PLANES TO RESCUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 128, 26 November 1938, Page 11

PLANES TO RESCUE

ARMY SCOUTS CUT OFF

A FRONTIER ENGAGEMENT

(By Air Mail, from "The Post's" London Representative.) LONDON, October 20. j Prompt jaiiv action rescued a party of South Waziristan Scouts unexpectedly ctit off and outnumbered by rebel tribesmen on the .North-West Frontier. Messages to hand state that retreat became impracticable, and the Scouts released a homing pigeon, to summon air assistance. The bird safely reached! its .destination, and immediately an j aeroplane, fully laden with bombs and ammunition, was dispatched from Miranshah, the nearest Royal Air Force base> ;•■:,-.• .- v .-' • ' ' ■■■■

Others- -followed at short intervals. Throughout the afternoon and early evening .aeroplanes flew to and fro over/the )scene of hostilities. Whenever opportunity offered the tribesmen were attacked with bomb and machinegun, inflicting casualties which were sufficient to hold ihem at, bay. Ground signals from the Scouts then called fpr. first-aid supplies. These were successfully dropped. Towards evening, the soldiers' ammunition was down to ten rounds a man; and a call for further 'supplies was made. Four loads were dropped in the teeth of heavy enemy fire, and together with a supply of Verey lights—which prevented a surprise enemy assault under cover of darkness—the Scouts were put in a satisfactory position for the night. The enemy gang suffered 18 killed and 15 wounded, including some wellknown hostile leaders. Four Scouts were killed and ten wounded. The strength of the enemy forces amounted, by the end of the day, to some 500 tribesmen.

An expression of appreciation of the "most valuable assistance" afforded by the Royal Air Force on this occasion was made by the Commandant, South Waziristan. Scouts. The incident is a further illustration of unprovoked attack to which N.W. Frontier police detachments may be subjected without warning by tribesmen under the sway of fanatic "leaders, and shows the immense value of the air arm in such circumstances. ■