AID FROM THE AIR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23213, 6 December 1938, Page 9

AID FROM THE AIR

REBELS HELD AT BAY FRONTIER TROOPS SAVED | HELP SUMMONED BY PIGEON [from otxr own correspondent} LONDON. Nov. 10 i Prompt air action rescued a party of South Waziristan scouts who wefe£ unexpectedly cut off and by rebel tribesmen Qn the North-west - Frontier. It is stated that retreat bp- -, came impracticable, and the scouts released a homing pigeon to summon air . assistance. The bird safely reached its - destination, and immediately an ae|o- - fully laden with bombs and . ammunition, was despatched from Miranshah, tho nearest Royal Air Force base. - ' "' v V'. Others followed at short intervals. Throughout the afternoon and early evening aeroplanes flew over the sfene of hostilities. Whenever opportunity offered, the tribesmen were attacked with bomb and machine-gun, inflicting casualties which were sufficient to hold them at bay. Ground signals from the scouts then called for first-aid supplies. These were successfully dropped. Toward evening the soldiers' ammunition was down to < 10 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 to prevent a surprise enemy assault under cover of darkness, the scouts were put in a satisfactory position for the night. t The enemy casualties amounted, to 18 killed and 15 wounded, including some well-known hostile leaders. Four scouts were killed and ten wounded. The strength of the enemy forces amouuted, by the end of the day. to some 500 tribesmen.