37 Sqns Wellingtons in combat over Iraq

[phasselgren]

Hi,

I am looking for information about the air combat between three Wellingtons from No.37 Sqn and Iraqi Hawker Nisr on the 3 May 1941.

From the Operational Record Book Form 540: ”At RASCHID several enemy fighters took off and engaged our aircraft with the result that one twinseater biplane was shot down and another damaged. Six bullet holes were found in aircraft T2983 on its return to base and a large bullet passed through aircraft T2616 slight wounding the second pilot in the hand.” Form 541 has no information about the combat but the involved crews are listed. There are no Combat Reports included in the Appendices.

According to Dust Clouds in the Middle East by Christopher Shores the involved Iraqi aircraft were Hawker Nisr.

A short biography of air gunner Sgt Ian McGregor made by the RNZAF after the war mentions that he shot down ”an enemy fighter” on this date. Pilot in McGregors aircraft was P/O Curry.

More details about this combat would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Peter Hasselgren