Air Power, Insurgency and the “War on Terror” - Prof. Joel Hayward's ...

Chapter 3
observed that if he had had sufficient aeroplanes at <strong>the</strong> outbreak of <strong>the</strong> revolt it might have
been possible to stifle or at least localise it. By <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> fighting over 8,000 rebels had
been killed toge<strong>the</strong>r with roughly 1,000 British <strong>and</strong> Indian troops. 100 Thus, while Trenchard
may well have seen air control as an important bargaining tool in <strong>the</strong> battle for resources,
<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> continued existence of an independent air arm, he was pushing at an open door
The Second World War
The Second World War marked a turning point in <strong>the</strong> employment of air control within <strong>the</strong>
Protectorates. In <strong>the</strong> early 1930s Italian actions in Africa were a cause of increasing concern
<strong>and</strong>, during <strong>the</strong> Abyssinian Crisis of 1935, had led to substantial air reinforcements being
sent to Aden. Italy’s declaration of war in 1940 meant that air operations were primarily
directed at <strong>the</strong> external threat ra<strong>the</strong>r than internal security. This included <strong>the</strong> substantial
Italian ground <strong>and</strong> air forces based in Eritrea <strong>and</strong> Somalil<strong>and</strong>, as well as convoy protection
<strong>and</strong> anti-submarine patrols. 101 <strong>Air</strong> control continued but was relegated to <strong>the</strong> increasingly
fragile Vickers Vincents of No 8 Sqn. Many of <strong>the</strong>se operations were low-key <strong>and</strong> involved
one or two over-flights to demonstrate intent. Bombing was not extensively employed,
although this was as much to do with growing political sensitivity as it was a reflection of
<strong>the</strong> tribes’ willingness to submit. In 1942 <strong>the</strong> Colonial Office advised <strong>the</strong> Governor that:
Even in <strong>the</strong> midst of a world war, air bombing to discipline recalcitrant
tribesmen in British territory would be considered regrettable. It is
realized, however, that punitive action of this kind is traditional in
<strong>the</strong> Aden Protectorate <strong>and</strong> it is <strong>the</strong> ultimate sanction that can be
applied by <strong>the</strong> authorities. But, it is a remedy which should be used
sparingly <strong>and</strong> only when no milder form of punishment is likely to
be effective. 102
These concerns were sufficiently serious for <strong>the</strong> Secretary of State for <strong>the</strong> Colonies to
write to <strong>the</strong> Governor in February 1943, setting out <strong>the</strong> basis on which air action could
be taken. 103 <strong>Air</strong> action is a remedy which must be used sparingly <strong>and</strong> when no
milder alternative form of punishment is likely to be effective.
It should not be used without giving <strong>the</strong> delinquents an option of
avoiding it by making submission <strong>and</strong> giving adequate guarantees
of future good behaviour.
There should be a clear <strong>and</strong> specific charge which <strong>the</strong> offenders should
be required to answer before any penalties are imposed on <strong>the</strong>m.
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Power</strong>, <strong>Insurgency</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> “War on Terror” 57