‘The arrival of Handley Page aircraft at Delhi’, 1919 (b/w photo)

‘The arrival of Handley Page aircraft at Delhi’, 1919. Photograph, 3rd Afghan War, 1919. Airpower played a key role during the 3rd Afghan War (1919) and the revolt in Waziristan (1919-1920). Five Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons of BE2Cs, Bristol F2Bs, De Haviland DH9As, De Haviland DH-bombers and Handley Page bombers were used in strafing and bombing attacks on the rebellious frontier tribes and on targets in Afghanistan itself, including Kabul and Jalalabad. The attacks on Afghan towns, although small scale, helped bring King Amanullah to the negotiating table. The Handley Page bomber was a twin-engined machine with a maximum speed of 85 mph, a ceiling of 7000 feet and a bomb load of 1792 pounds. From album of 142 photographs compiled by Major General Sir A Skeen, India and Great Britain, 1918 circa-1924.