The evacuation of Europeans from Kabul in 1929

On February 25, 95 years ago, the first large-scale humanitarian operation in aviation history was completed – the evacuation of hundreds of Europeans from Kabul.

At that time, Afghanistan was engulfed in a rebellion against King Amanullah Khan, which escalated into a civil war. The monarch's reforms aimed at introducing a more European way of life in the conservative local society were very negatively received. In early December 1928, there was a threat of Kabul falling, putting Europeans living in the city in danger. Primarily diplomats and their families were among them.

In this tense situation, the head of the British diplomatic mission in Kabul, Sir Francis Humphrys, appealed for assistance to the commander of the Royal Air Force in India, Geoffrey Salmond. Soon communication with the diplomatic mission was lost. To restore it, from December 19 to 22, several multi-purpose biplanes DH.9A flew over the mission and dropped an electric generator and a radio station by parachutes.

The evacuation began on December 23. It involved several twin-engine transport aircraft Vickers Victoria, as well as much smaller Airco D.H.9A and Westland Wapiti. By the end of the year, over 300 women and children were evacuated to the territory of present-day Pakistan, which was then part of British India.

The situation worsened on January 14, 1929, when armed opposition forces stormed Kabul. The British managed to negotiate with their leaders for the evacuation of everyone on the territory of the diplomatic mission. As a result, not only the British but also representatives of some other European countries and members of the Afghan royal family were evacuated. On February 25, the last plane took off from Sherpur airfield, carrying Francis Humphrys to Peshawar.

In total, during the entire operation, 84 evacuation flights were carried out, evacuating 586 individuals of eleven nationalities.

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Airco DH.9A Aircraft

Westland Wapiti Aircraft

Vickers Victoria Aircraft