Heavy Losses Inflicted on Iraqi Rebels

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 109, 9 May 1941, Page 7

Heavy Losses Inflicted on Iraqi Rebels

Effective Air Support Harasses Enemy REINx GRCEMENTS FOR HABBANIYAH AERODROME (British Official Wireless.) Received Thursday, 9.20 p.m. * RUGBY, May 7. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states; “In Iraq operations against the rebel Iraqis yesterday were carried out by our aircraft with such effect that heavy casualties were inflicted on them and "much confusion caused. “The aerodrome at Moascar al Raschid was again bombed. One hangar was completely destroyed by fire, a twin-engined aircraft ou the tarmac was blown up, a number of others severely damaged and the aerodrome surface badly cut up. Our aircraft received practically no opposition. “In the Habbaniyah area continuous and close air support was given while R.A.F. armoured units, troops and Iraqi levies attacked and drove off the enemy from the plateau round the R.A.F. station. The rebel casualties were very heavy and ours negligible. “On the previous night the rebels were given no rest as their lines were attacked continuously by our aircraft.” A Cairo message says the Iraq army’s reverses are causing increasing coolness among other elements in Iraq, including tribal chiefs, towards Rashid Ali’s antiBritish front. A brigade sent from Basra to Baghdad with instructions to eject the British forces showed little inclination to fight, dallying along the road. It is known that only a part of tho Iraqi Army supports Rashid Ali. According to tho Beirut correspondent of tho Hungarian News Agency, the former Iraqi Premier, Nuri es Said, recently formed a counter-Government in Amman, capital of Transjordania. Members of his Cabinet immediately went to Basra. Nuri es Said was a friend of Lawrence of Arabia.

Fictitious reports of a grave attack nn the British Consulate at Damascus, Syria, bv thousands of Arabs in which the building was said to have been destroyed are stated authoritatively to be based on a demonstration in front of the consulate a few days ago by a band of hooligans. A number of stones were thrown, and a few windows were broken, but no serious damage was done, and the whole business was disposed of by the police in a few minutes.