British air force pilots have spoken of their "awe" at the...

British air force pilots have spoken of their "awe" at the aerial view of Baghdad ablaze but also of the level of resistance Iraq put up.

"Baghdad was ablaze," Wing Commander Derek Watson said after returning safely to a desert base.

"There were explosions going off every few seconds.

"We had anti-aircraft fire to one side and multiple rocket launchers were used against us, putting up about eight to 10 missiles. We could see them but they were never a threat."

The British Tornado Squadron paved the way for the massive aerial bombardment of Baghdad.

"We set off with a full payload... and we saw them all go," he said.

Baghdad was already under a huge missile attack when the Tornadoes arrived, and far more followed.

"When we got up we had to fly through a wall of coalition aircraft waiting to go in behind us," the 39-year-old said.

"It was in some ways the most dangerous part. There was so much up there. I have never seen anything like it.

"When we approached Baghdad it was a red glow on the horizon. The missiles were already doing their work, but the Iraqis were still firing back. It is not over yet."