The Wartime Memories Project - RAF Habbaniya

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Information. RAF Habbaniya was built in 1934, on the banks of the river Euphrates, 60 miles from Bagdad. The station had lawns, flower beds, tree lined roads and a lake for flying boats. A town for the civilian workers and the families of the RAF personnel was contained with in the station. The station opened in 1937 and became home to 30 sqd. The station was transferred to the control of Iraqi forces in 1955 but remained in use by the RAF until 1959. I work with a US construction company that has been contracted to renovate Habbaniyah Airbase. We are just finishing up work on a building we refer to as "The British Hotel," shown in the attached before and after photos. This building will soon be a division headquarters for the Iraqi Army. As the company scribe, I am writing an article about our efforts and would like to include something about the building's history. Was it actually a hotel in the 30s when I'm told it was built, or did it have another function originally? Are there any historic photos of the place? I am researching my father's service life, Maurice "Roy" Skeet (39800) RAF Bomber Command and trying to contact anyone who might have served with 77 Sqn,70 Sqn and 216 Sqn in the Middle East or the "Communications Flight" Station Habbaniya, Iraq between the dates 8th April 1938 and late 1941. I would welcome any communication regarding the activities of these units during that period, and if possible anyone who knew or knew of M.R. Skeet who was Flight Lieutenant Officer Commanding the Communications Flight at Habbaniya during 1941. I am told the above photo was taken at Habbaniya sometime in late 1940 or early 194. If anyone can recognise the other individuals to my dad who is ringed as Officer Commanding I would be very interested. I would be most interested if anyone could identify the locations and perhaps any of the other individuals in these two groups The three individuals outlined in rectangles are the hand-written names on the back of the picture. Dad is outlined in the circle. Michael Anthony Roy Skeet Photographs If you have any Photographs you would like to share please get in touch. List of those who served here. Maurice Roy Skeet. If you have any names to add to this list, or any recollections or photos of those listed, please get in touch. If you have a story which you would like to share, or a website dedicated to an airfield or aircrew, please get in touch. Send an E-mail to The Wartime Memories Project Links The "Communications Flight", RAF Habbaniya RAF HABBANIYA ASSOCIATION RAF Station Habbaniya in Iraq Airfields Index The Wartime Memories Project is a non profit organisation. This website is run out of our own pockets and from donations made by visitors. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources. If you are enjoying the site, please consider making a donation, however small to help with the costs of keeping the site running. Or by cheque to: PO Box 325, Stockton on Tees, TS20 1XL. Website and ALL Material © Copyright MM - All Rights Reserved