Portal:Military history of Australia/Units/February 15

Mesopotamian Half-Flight with a Short 827 biplane

The Mesopotamian Half Flight was the first Australian Flying Corps (AFC) unit to see active service. Formed during the First World War, the Half Flight deployed to Basra in May 1915 and was initially equipped with three obsolete pusher biplanes, later receiving two Caudron G.3s. The Half Flight performed reconnaissance for the Indian Army during the Mesopotamian Campaign. Most of the Half Flight personnel were captured following the fall of Kut in April 1916 while the remainder merged with No. 1 Squadron AFC in Egypt.