Daily patrols of the Beihan area were maintained throughout the period. This varied from the minimum of two singleton patrols per day to continuous cover from dawn to dusk. Most of the effort was made 208 Squadron in the absence of the majority of 8 Squadron, which was in Bahrain.
Aden Colony became the twelfth member the South Arabian Federation when it joined on 18 January. Thereafter, is was known as ‘Aden State’ and because of its comparative wealth, it was allocated a much larger representation in the Federal Council than the states of the hinterland. Egypt took great exception to these events and took every opportunity to support the Yemen, stirring up subversion against the Federation and against British rule in Aden.
Shackletons of 37 Squadron made PR sorties and flagwaves over Al Abr. Photographs revealed nothing untoward. Shackletons also made searches in the Red Sea area on three occasions for Russmerships the last of these sorties being highly successful.
Photographic reconnaissance of the Yemeni Ports was made by a Canberra PR.9 of 13 Squadron on two occasions during the month.
A helicopter flew a PR sortie over Aden harbour to photograph a Russmership (can anyone explain what these are please?).
No. 8 Squadron was detached to Bahrain on Operation Longstop during the period of the month, while back at Khormaksar, a team from DFCS visited the Station and checked 208 Squadron pilots. They also flew as No. 2 on the Beihan sorties.
The month of February began quietly enough with routine patrols being flown over the Beihan area with no significant incidents. On the 25th, however, as a result of Yemeni infiltration into the Protectorate in the Ain area, Operation Jacknife was put into operation. Leaflets were dropped and after they were ignored, the FRA opened fire and the Yemenis withdrew. Continuous air cover was provided for the FRA for the remainder of the month and a Sycamore from SAR Flight was positioned at Beihan for possible casualty evacuation.
Back in Aden, 37 Squadron Shackletons made a successful search for a Russmership in the Red Sea and in addition, performed flagwaves in an area north of Ras Fartak. They then joined SAR Flight Sycamores in a search for a man overboard from the ‘City of Leeds’. His body was subsequently recovered by a Sycamore. Meanwhile, a Canberra PR.9 on detachment from 13 Squadron, Akrotiri, made two PR sorties of the Yemeni ports and PR surveys of the Ain area in support of Operation Jacknife.
At the end of its Operation Longstop detachment to Bahrain, 8 Squadron returned to Khormaksar on 4 February. Its place at Bahrain was taken by the Hunters of 54 Squadron which had flown out from the UK to gain experience in an operational theatre. The Squadron moved down to Khormaksar during the month and its return to the UK was delayed so that its crews could participate in the top cover sorties for Operation Jacknife. It eventually departed for the UK on 5 March.
Although continuous cover was flown during the first part of the month, it was gradually reduce a state of 1-hour dawn to dusk with no patrols. Meanwhile, 13 Squadron Canberra PR.9s flew seven sorties taking photographs of the Yemeni ports, the last five accompanied by a pair of Hunters. An 8 Squadron Hunter FR.10 flew a photo-recce sortie over Hilyan prior to a supply drop by a Valetta of 233 Squadron on the next day.
A heavy-lift capability was added to the Khormaksar inventory on 1 March when the first two of four Belvedere HC.1s of 26 Squadron arrived, having flown all the way from the UK. Once it had worked up to operational readiness, it soon became clear that it would be of great benefit to the Army in transporting guns, light vehicles and troops into areas unsuitable for fixed wing aircraft.
As this situation on the Yemen border was much quieter, the Hunters were kept initially at 1-hour standby, increasing to 2-hours towards the end of the month. No. 13 Squadron PR.9s continued to photograph the Yemeni ports throughout the month, under the escort of a pair of Hunters on each occasion. Hunters performed flagwaves over the Wadi Hatib on the 10th and 11th while a 37 Shackleton flew a flagwave sortie over Husn Am Shagg.
A return to the normal Operation Longstop changeovers occurred on 30 April when 8 Squadron replaced 208 Squadron for two months at Bahrain.
A total of 335 sorties were flown by Khormaksar-based aircraft during the month. The number of passengers arriving totalled 3,517 while 3,665 were flown out and a further 1,393 staged through. A mammoth 1,173,883 lb of freight was transported out and 645,182 lb flown in. In addition, 21,108 lb of mail was transported out with 26,132 lb being transported in.
The Belvederes came into their own for the first time on 14 May when they took part in Operation Pennant. With 208 Squadron Hunters providing top cover, they landed troops of the FRA at strategic points along the Wadi Hatib.
It was also during May that HMS Ark Royal arrived and her aircraft participated in tactical exercises in the area. A full scale ‘Carscomex’ (can anyone expand on this please?) was held on the 28th with Ark Royal’s Sea Vixen and Scimitar squadrons providing the strike aircraft.
With the departure of the outgoing Commander-in-Chief, Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Elworthy, Tactical Wing Hunters provided a flypast in ‘E’ formation. He was succeeded by General Sir Charles Harington, continuing with the policy of rotating the appointment through each service in turn.
June
A busier month, with an increase in ground activity in the Beihan area, the Hunters were retained at a high state of readiness. In this area top cover for the FRA was flown as they carried out a ground operation at Tuhayf and Hunter FR.10s of 1417 Flight flew armed recce flights before and after the ground operations. Flag Waves were also flown in the general area.
Other operations flown during the month included:
Daily Ranji sorties.
From 18 to 21 June, daily flagwaves were flown in the Jebel Radfan and Wadi Misrah areas.
On 6 June a Canberra PR.9 escorted by Hunters made a recce of Yemen coast.
On the night of 22/23 June, a party of servicemen accidentally strayed across the Yemen border and were detained by Yemeni tribesmen. Belvederes and Sycamores of Tactical Wing were employed flying personnel and equipment to and from the area of Tor Al Bawa. Members of the Women’s Services and wounded prisoners on being released by their captures were evacuated to Khormaksar by these aircraft.
Three Shackletons and crews of 37 Squadron were detached to East Africa to participate in Operation Pipe. Two replace them for the duration of the operation, two Shackleton MR.2s each from 42 and 224 Squadrons arrived from St Mawgan and Gibraltar respectively.
Also during the month, 43 Squadron relieved 8 Squadron at Bahrain and one of the UK Shackletons intercepted the SS Braemar Castle as she steamed up the Red Sea and passed a message of welcome to the new C-in-C. Nine Hunter aircraft performed a formation flypast at the C-in-C’s taking over parade.
The main operational activity this month took place at Hilyan where, following a number of air supply drops, some supplies fell in the hands of the Am Haidis. Hunter strikes were flown by 8 and 208 Squadrons in which 5,446 rounds of 30 mm ammunition were fired. Photo recce flights were carried out before and after these sorties by Hunter FR.10 aircraft of 1417 Flight. Further successful supply drops were made by a 233 Squadron Valetta escorted by Tactical Wing Hunters.
Hunters were also used to provide top cover for FRA convoys to Dhala and Ataq.
During the period 27 to 29 July, flag Waves and leaflet drops were flown by Hunters in the Wadi Hatib area.
In addition, daily Ranji sorties were completed and Hunters remained at readiness for Air Defence in Beihan area.
Five Hunter FGA.9s of 8 Squadron were detached to Embakasi on 18 July to participate in Exercises Candy Floss and Kingbird. They were joined there by a further two FGA.9s a week later.
The Shackletons of 42 Squadron completed their Air Policing Training and returned to St. Mawgan and were replaced by two MR.2s from 224 Squadron, Gibraltar, on 14 July for similar training. They returned to Gibraltar on the 26th.
On 17 July, as HE The High Commissioner departed for the United Kingdom, Tactical Wing provided a fly-past of nine Hunters of 8 and 208 Squadrons, led by the OC Tactical Wing.
Leaflet dropping was carried out on the Wadi Hatib area by a Shackleton of 37 Squadron early in the month because a truce had been broken. Subsequently, 8 Squadron Hunters and 26 Squadron Belvederes were deployed in support of ground forces from the 8th to the 10th of the month on Operation Consul. This operation was a complete success.
Based at Ataq, the helicopters were employed lifting FRA troops to high ground in the Wadi Hannak area, enabling a number of truce breaking tribesmen to be captured. The Hunters provided top cover for both this operation and for a number of flagwaves in areas around Hannak, Khaura and Wadi Hatib.
On 6 August, 5 Hunters of 8 Squadron returned from their detachment to Embakasi after taking part in the planned exercises and on the 22nd and 23rd, Operation Longstop saw 208 Squadron replacing 43 Squadron at Bahrain.
A FAC course comprising six Army Officers was successfully run between the 19th and 30th of the month. Hunter sorties were flown by 8 and 43 Squadrons to provide both airborne experience and practical FAC training in the field for the students. The OC of 225 GL co-ordinated the programme and provided FAC instruction in the field.
Due to the deteriorating internal security situation in the State of Haushabi, Operational Hannibal was implement over the three days between 5 and 7 September. Tactical Wing Hunters flew flagwaves in the Daraija area in support of the FRA and FNG during this period while others were held at a state of readiness for close support if required. Further flagwaves were performed by a number of Hunters shortly before the end of the operation.
It was a busy period for the Hunter units with aircraft kept on the pan in a state of readiness to provide top cover for convoys between Aden and Dhala on the 4th and 5th, and another from Lodar to Ataq on the 28th and 29th of the month. Sorties were flown over the latter on both days.
A 37 Squadron Shackleton found and photographed a Russian ship on the 3rd and another carried out a visual and photo recce of Murat and Thamud on the 30th.
Early in the month, HMS Victorious arrived and facilities were provided by Tactical Wing to enable her Sea Vixens and Scimitars to carry out tactical training in the area. Simulated strikes on the carrier were carried out by Tactical Wing Hunters. Much of this was witnessed by five MPs who visited the Wing and were flown out to Victorious by a 26 Squadron Belvedere.
On 24 September, eight Hunters of 43 Squadron flew down to Embakasi to begin a two-week detachment that included participation in the Royal Show in Nairobi.
The momentum in activities continued through October, requiring a pair of Hunters to be on 30-minute standby throughout the period of daylight. They did not have long to wait for action as they were scrambled on the 4th to investigate a possible border incident but no contact was made. A further pair was scrambled on the 18th but again, no contact was made. To keep everyone on their toes, practice scrambles of the standby pair were ordered. The Hunter also provided top cover for convoys to Dhala and Ataq on the 15th and 16th, and flagwaves flown in the areas; Wadi Taim, Wadi Rabwa, Wadi Misrah, Wadi Yermis, Wadi Raiban, Wadi Milh and Lodar. If this were not enough, Ranji sorties were flown by Hunters along the usual coastal areas, particular attention being given to Russian fishing vessels in the vicinity of Aden.
The major HQ Middle East Command exercise called Biltong took place during October and involved the redeployment of a large proportion of the AFME Fighter Wing to the Gulf area, together with the setting up of a FASOC/FATOG (can anyone explain these please?) and its attendant communications.
To mark the occasion of the arrival of the new AOC, Air Vice-Marshal ‘Johnny’ Johnson, a formation of Hunters flew passed. He was soon out and about familiarising himself with his new command and paid a visit to Tactical Wing on the 18th of the month.
During the early part of the month, Operation Tusk was re-activated. A Shackleton aircraft of 37 Squadron was called upon to carry out a fire-power demonstration using its front guns in the Gheida area on 7 November and a flagwave by a pair of Hunters of 43 Squadron was flown on the 9th of the month.
Operation Ranji sorties were flown as required during the month with no significant sightings.
Other Hunter sorties comprised flagwaves in the areas; Gheida on the 9th, Musiemir on the 6th, 9th and 25th and Azraqi on 14 November.
On the 11th a Shackleton of 224 Squadron on detachment from Gibraltar, dropped leaflets in the Musiemir area. And a Belvedere aircraft of 26 Squadron participated in Operation Diamond on 14 November which involved carrying out recce sorties and conveying army personnel to the operational area.
Three Shackleton aircraft of 224 Squadron were detached from Gibraltar for police training from 7 to 28 November and despite many operational requirements, including SAR detachments to Mogadiscio and leaflet dropping in the Protectorate, the planned training programme was completed.
Number 3 Forward Air Controllers course was held at HQ Tactical Wing from 18 to 30 November. Six students attended and all successfully completed the course. Lectures included all aspects of FAC training and ground attack operations. The practical aspects were covered by 22 FGA.9 sorties and each student undertook a flight in one of the T.7s. During the same period, Tactical Wing were geared up for participation in the RAF Khormaksar Open Day on 29th of the month.
As the result of an increase in the number of incursions of Yemeni aircraft into the Protectorate, the Hunter Squadrons were maintained at a high state of readiness throughout December. On the 2nd, a Yemen Air Force IL-14 ‘Crate’ transport aircraft landed at Lodar and a pair of Hunters were scrambled to ensure that the aircraft remained on the ground. Later that same day, a second Crate was intercepted in the area and despite being instructed to land and a burst of 30 mm cannon being fired in front of him, the pilot flew the aircraft back over the Yemen border.
Yet another infringement took place at Beihan on the 6th when two Yaks were reported to have flown into the Protectorate from the Yemen. By the end of the month, no fewer than 38 border patrols had been flown by pairs of Hunters. A flagwave was performed by Hunters on Ahl Bazal, also on the 6th, and another in the vicinity of Mahfidh on the 19th. Air cover for the Dhala and Ataq convoys was provided by Hunter aircraft at varying periods during December. Ranji sorties were flown on most days with nothing outstanding reported.
With the imminent independence of Kenya, 208 Squadron flew eight of its Hunters down to Embakasi on the 5th, in order for its aerobatic team to participate in celebrations on the 12th that were presided over by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The position of British forces after that date was that they would move out by the end of 1964.
As the year had progressed, subversion in the Aden State continued to increase and matters came to a head on 10 December on the tarmac at Khormaksar Airport. A large official party had gathered to bid farewell to the High Commissioner, Sir Kennedy Trevaskis, and several Federation Ministers on their departure to London for a constitutional conference. As they stood talking, a hand grenade was rolled towards the High Commissioner and in the split second before the grenade exploded, he was pushed aside by his Assistant, George Henderson, who received the full blast and died from his injuries a few days later. An Indian woman was also killed and 53 people were injured. George Henderson was posthumously awarded his second George Medal for gallantry, a State of Emergency was called throughout South Arabia, the frontier with the Yemen was closed and 280 Yemeni undesirables were deported from Aden.
To bolster the Command’s helicopter capability, number 815 Squadron (RN) embarked its fleet of Whirlwinds at Khormaksar on 15 December.
On 16 December, a 37 Squadron Shackleton dropped leaflets in the Lodar and Ataq areas as a prelude to Operation Emerald.
Operation Longstop provided the final event of the year when, on the 30th and 31st of the month, 43 Squadron replaced 8 Squadron at RAF Muharraq, the new name for RAF Bahrain.