The Kabul Airlift was an air evacuation of British and a number of European diplomatic staff and their families conducted by the Royal Air Force from Kabul between 23 December 1928 and 25 February 1929, the first large-scale air evacuation, with a total of 586 people of eleven different nationalities being rescued and taken to India. The evacuation was conducted after forces of a bandit, Habibullah Kalakani, attacked Kabul in opposition to the Afghan king, Amanullah, leading to British fears that its legation would be isolated and cut off.
Directed by Sir Geoffrey Salmond, by 15 February 1929, aircraft types available for the airlift of passengers and baggage, included seven Vickers Victoria aircraft, one Handley Page Hinaidi, 24 Airco DH.9As and two Westland Wapitis. The airlift was challenging as it required aircraft to fly over and in-between the Hindu Kush mountains that peaked 10,000 feet, and it also occurred during the bitterly cold winter, but the operation was ultimately successful.
Background and the Afghan civil war
In 1928, the British Legation in Afghanistan was situated outside Kabul. Kabul is 6,000 feet above sea level. Aircraft would be required to fly over and in-between mountains that peaked 10,000 feet. In addition, it was winter and temperatures could reach as low as -17°C.
At that time, the King of Afghanistan, Amanullah introduced a series of political changes intended to bring about a more European way of life in his country. 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.
With increasing rumours of civil war, the British Minister at Kabul and former RAF pilot, Sir Francis Humphrys, became concerned about the safety and lines of communication to the Legation. On 3 December Humphrys sent a message to the Air Officer Commanding RAF India, Geoffrey Salmond, asking him to maintain the air mail service to Kabul and prepare extra aircraft in case of an emergency. Salmond agreed with Humphrys assessment but he lacked suitable aircraft for transporting large numbers within his command, although he did have 24 two-seater World War I vintage Airco DH.9As and two Westland Wapitis. Salmond's only appropriate aircraft, a Handley Page Hinaidi, was in Baghdad as it had temporarily been assigned to transporting Sir Denys Bray, the Indian Foreign Secretary. Salmond did request that a single Vickers Victoria be detached from the RAF in Iraq and flown to India.
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 Shinwaris attacked Jalalabad, cutting off Peshawar road. Amanullah responded by using his fledgling Air Force, including Russian refugee pilots, to bomb the Shinwaris. 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.