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128rockets would be especially effective if they could be fired through the roof. In between the air attacks, the detachment of the Dhofar Gendarmerie led by Lt Hasan Ihsan had been fighting for a day and a half to defend the fort %u2013 he was subsequently awarded the Sultan%u2019s Gallantry Medal, the Omani equivalent of the Victoria Cross. %u000b(.9%u0006 Following the PDRY incursions at Habrut, the Sultan ordered SOAF to attack the enemy weapons, installations and warlike stores at Hawf, just across the border with PDRY on the coast. Following the Habrut contact, our Rules of Engagement were changed and seconded pilots were not authorised to cross the border. SAF commanders were conscious of the political implications of an RAF officer being shot down over PDRY territory. Contract officers, led by Sqn Ldr Peter Hulme carried out a series of attacks against targets in the mountains above Hawf. Subsequent SAF analysis indicated that the PFLOAG headquarters, two stores and possibly the Front%u2019s radio capabilities were destroyed, in addition to damage to other facilities, while the attack inflicted casualties of at least fifteen killed and ten wounded.5 On the second day (27 May 1972), Hulme%u2019s aircraft was hit by a 12c7 mm Shpagin bullet. With his electrical cable cut, his radio non8operational, his main fuel pipe ruptured, and fuel vapour pouring into his cockpit making it difficult to see or breathe, Hulme would have been perfectly justified in abandoning his badly damaged aircraft. However, risking imminent fire and explosion, he stayed with it and successfully brought it home. He was awarded the Sultan%u2019s Gallantry Medal. The SAF Journal reported, %u2018As soon as the first air strike was carried out at Habrut, the PDRY government lodged a protest to the Denis Grey with his Strikemaster.