Valentias were used for night bombing operations over the Western Desert in 1940. In service with No31Sqn RAF and the RAF Communications Flight Iraq, they took part in the 1941 Siege of RAF Habbaniya and subsequent operations. They then remained in service with the Communications Flight Iraq (later Iraq &amp; Persia) until 1944. The South African Air Force pressed a Valentia into service as a bomber in the East African Campaign in 1940–41.