Kabul airlift of 1928–1929

In 1928, the British Legation in Afghanistan was situated outside Kabul. Kabul is 6,000 feet above sea level. Having created a parliament, Amanullah made several speeches to his legislature in September and October 1928 which were directly opposed in the chamber by conservative factions. In the country there were protests from the mullahs and Amanullah was denounced as a kafir or unbeliever. The first open rebellion against Amanullah's rule came from the Shinwari tribe who were angered by the imposition of various laws, including the requirement to wear European dress, the rule that required them to send a quota of their daughters to Kabul for education and the impositions of taxes (they had never previously paid tax). The Shinwari attacked Jalalabad, cutting off Peshawar road. Amanullah responded by using his fledgling Air Force, including Russian refugee pilots, to bomb the Shinwari. The use of foreign "infidels" to subjugate Muslims roused other tribes to revolt and the country descended into civil war. ==Effects on British Legation==

In the situation of turmoil, an opportunist leader called Habibullah Kalakani and his 3,000 disaffected tribesmen entered the conflict. They attacked Kabul on 14 December 1928, capturing the forts to the north-west of the city. Habibullah then advanced on the Asmai Heights, to the west of the Legation, and although checked by Amanullah's forces, Habibullah was not prevented from turning towards Kabul on a route which took him past the British Legation. Sir Francis met Habibullah at the gates of the Legation. With the Legation situated between the rebel army and Government-controlled city, the British were effectively isolated. The Legation lost wireless communications with British India, having sent their last message on 16 December which requested the evacuation of women and children. ==Air actions==

The requested Victoria departed Iraq, arriving in Karachi on 17 December. The following day it travelled to Quetta and after a local check flight had been carried out, it arrived in Risalpur on 19 December. The previous day an unarmed DH.9A of No. 27 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer C. W. L. Trusk and accompanied by Leading Aircraftman G. Donaldson flew a reconnaissance mission from Kohat to the Legation with the intention of dropping a Popham panel which would enable ground-to-air signalling. However, before they could carry out their mission, small arms fire damaged their aircraft and they were forced to land at the nearby Afghan Air Force landing ground at Sherpur. Situation deteriorated on January 14 when Habibullah entered Kabul city, and a decision was made to evacuate the remaining British personnel, along with expatriates from other nations as well as members of the Afghan royal family. ==Aviators==

The operation was commanded by Sir Geoffrey Salmond. It was superintended by Group captain R. P. Mills. Air Vice-Marshal Robert Brooke-Popham, air officer commanding Iraq, had arranged for the Victoria aircraft. Squadron leader Reginald Maxwell, flight lieutenants D. F. Anderson and R. Ivolaw-Chapman, and flying officers L. H. Anness and C. W. L. Trusk, received the Air Force Cross. Leading aircraftsman G. Donaldson received the Air Force Medal. ==Published accounts==

Sir Geoffrey Salmond's account was published in 1929. ==Historical significance==

The Kabul Airlift is notable as the first large-scale air evacuation in history, with a total of 586 people of eleven different nationalities being rescued. Considering the limitations of aircraft at the time, operating amidst a civil war, bitter cold, and mountainous terrain, the Kabul Airlift was a remarkable feat of endurance for both the airmen and the civilians involved. ==See also==