Argosy & 2 Hunters, Upcountry Aden, 31 December 1966
 

Just on the offchance, with the 50th anniversary coming up on Saturday, is either of the Hunter pilots who escorted a 105 Squadron Argosy leaflet drop upcountry to the northeast of Aden on 31 December 1966 around here at all?

I'd been at the Nav desk for a continuation detail that morning, landed back around lunchtime, discovered that this unusual leaflet dropping task had come in and that my colleagues, now off getting ready for that night's festivities in the Mess, had nominated me for it in my absence. Two Hunters from the Khormaksar Wing had been tasked in support and, with the nominated pilots, we worked out a plan of sorts to deliver the leaflets at six locations. And in due course, as we approached the first location, they appeared in a diving 'attack' from behind us - I don't believe any gunnery was involved and, indeed, we never really knew why they had been tasked in support.

I still have a copy of the leaflet involved, all in Arabic script, and to this day have no idea what it was all about. (And I've just seen that 31 December 1966 was a Saturday, as it will be again this year.)

Did the leaflets possibly say Happy New Year and please lay down your muskets so we can all go home by St Andrew's Day ?

Perhaps they did - although our planned withdrawal by end-67 was already fully out in the open. I've got a scan now, so perhaps someone can translate:

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/...1Nav/Scan.jpeg