KABUL EVACUATION

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 28 February 1929, Page 6

KABUL EVACUATION

SUCCESSFUL ACHIEVEMENT. (Per Press Association —Copyright) RUGBY, February 26. Earl Winterton, Under-Secretary for India, stated in the House of Commons, that the evacuation of the last remaining members of the staff of the British Legation at Kabul was successfully achieved yesterday. Sir Francis Humphrys, in paying a warm tribute to the remarkable smoothness and efficiency with which the Air Force had carried cut the arduous undertaking, had telegraphed: “The Royal Air Force performed a historic achievement; conveyed 586 persons in 82 aeroplanes without a single mishap 1.0 the passengers, since December 23, over mountainous country, in the depth of winter, at an average height of 10,000 feet. The conditions had always been difficult, and during the last two days almost insuperable on account of the heavy fall of snow.” Earl Winterton paused to observe: “I am sure the House will cordially endorse this tribute.” He continued to read the telegram, which ran: “In the early stages of aircraft operations, which first established touch with the Legation, they were repeatedly under fire, and one machine was shot down over Kabul. The pilot, fortunately, was unhurt, and lias since rendered invaluable assistince to Sir Francis Humphrys. The Royal Air Force personnel have flown over the wild border country unharmid. One machine made a forced landng, through the engine freezing whilst n flight. Its tw-o occupants for some lays were in the hands of the tribesmen, although subsequently successfully evacuated by aircraft.” DELHI, February 26. Upon arriving at Lahore, General Nadir Khan received a great reception iy the crowd, which reached fever leat when Amanullah was on the throne of his ancestors.