a MUST see site for Hunter fans

[+Piecemeal]

Discovered this very interesting and highly informative website dedicated exclusively to RAF Hunter squadrons deployed in the Middle East during the sixties:

 

http://radfanhunters.co.uk/mainframeset.htm

 

So grab a cup of coffee (or preferrably a beer), check it out and lose yourself in another part of RAF history

[Derk]

Thanks, grea t site !!

[Lexx_Luthor]

Very in depth indeed. Thanks. Lots of sandy desert stories by squadron there. Amazing airplane, apparently quite weather sealed.

 

This is fascinating, and weird/sad -- me I'd go home rather than "fly" for civilian politicos....under the Anecdotes button, 8th Squadron, Chris Bain...

 

:

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Squadron operational reports from the 1940s all said much the same thing and the modus operandi had not changed by the mid-’60s: “The Quatari tribe of the village of Al-Qradi owed HMG £200.14s.9d. in unpaid taxes. They had been warned twice to no avail. Therefore on (date), leaflets will be dropped warning them that their village is going to be bombed on (the following day).” The report would then go on to dictate a full bombing operation, the rules of engagement, and the results including a political officer's report.

 

On the following day when, surprise, surprise, the tax had remained unpaid, the Squadron would simply bomb the village while the villagers looked on from the hillsides around. They would then rebuild their village and carry on life as if nothing had happened - but I don’t think it endeared us to them. Any blood spilt instantly produced a blood feud. Hence, we were often cleared to fire but told not to hit! Typically British - fighting with one hand tied! Nevertheless, the South Arabian Arabs only took note of excessive power; it was the only thing they really understood. We never did succeed in subduing the Radfani hill-tribes, and we finally pulled out in 1967 with our tails between our legs.

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:

Pay your taxes fellas hehe.

 

Lots of stuph there thanks.

[Lexx_Luthor]

This explains it...maybe, although Bain talked about taxes owed to HMG. Seems the HMG could save thousands of Pounds by just letting the MiG-17s do the strikes for them. On the other hand, their pilots might try to hit the targets.

 

Aden Protectorate::

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Aerial bombardment and collective punishment were sometimes used against wayward tribes to enforce the rule of Britain’s clients.

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~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aden_Protectorate

All around just weird.

[Derk]

I guess a lot of tax people and the office that collects the parking & speed tickets (fiscalised in this country, they occupy the "Fine Palace" at Leeuwarden, horrible institution) would love to be able to phone Leeuwarden or Volkel Airbase and order an airstrike at someones place who has a dispute on taxes or parking tickets...... .......

(on the other hand quite a proportion of the people would applaude an airstrike at the aforementioned office )

Edited April 28, 2012 by Derk