Place

Date

Time

Summary of Events

The Squadron continued to operate regularly during the period up to Christmas, missions blown including one Air-Sea Rescue Patrol, experimental and training exercises, and day bombing attacks against a variety of targets. In the middle of the month, 3 operations were undertaken against the Burma-Siam railway, involving round trips of approximately 2,400 miles, and attacks on difficult, well defended targets.

Christmas was a season of hard work, mixed with some enjoyment. Once again the Squadron was faced with a "move" - this time to Desballa??, to rejoin No. 175 Wing. Despite the pleasant anticipation of resuming old friendships with personnel of 175 Wing, there were many regrets at leaving Digri, where the squadron had become well establish, and had received all possible co-operation from No. 185 Wing. The usual problems of lack of essential furniture and unsuitable accommodations were again surmounted, and the transfer of personnel, equipment and stores completed by 28th, December. The final three days of the old year were spent in servicing aircraft, and completing all the necessary organization for operations ordered. On the 1st, January 1945. Time was, however, found to organize the usual Christmas festivities - all ranks had a good Christmas Dinner, and the usual additional good cheer. The Third annual squadron Christmas Concert, given on the 24th and 25th, December, was once again a great success. Morale was high, and everyone looked forward to 1945 with confidence, and hope of a highly successful year.

Digri

1/12/44

0001 -
1539 hours.

4 a/c were detailed for an Armed Shipping Reconnaissance for a Japanese Convoy, reported in the Mergui area. The undamaged jetties, docks and adjacent stores area at Mergui were to be bombed if no shipping was sighted. The area of search was divided into two parts, and all aircraft covered their areas thoroughly, reporting no shipping apart from the usual small coastal and native craft present at Mergui. All aircraft attacked stores buildings near the southernmost jetty at medium height. Bursts were seen amongst the buildings, and one bomb caused a big burst of flame to 100 feet, and amongst small craft in the vicinity, which were scattered. Meagre to moderate L/A/A fire was experienced, from positions on the waterfront, one aircraft being hit, with slight damage. The weather was good throughout the trip.

2/12/44

0650 -
2355 hours

1 a/c was detailed to carry out a A.S.R. search for survivors of a missing B.29 in the Bay of Bengal. The weather was good with slight haze early in the day, decreasing later. The search was completed, as ordered, but there were no sightings.

4/12/44

4 a/c were briefed for a Night Bombing attack upon objectives in the Hanoi Area, Indo-China, but the operation had to be cancelled due to unsuitable weather conditions.

5/12/44

1100 -
1830 hours

12 a/c took part, with aircraft of other Squadrons, in an experimental attack known as "Exercise Earthquake". The object was to discover, in co-operation with the Army, the effect of close pattern-bombing upon a given area, with various types of defensive positions, protected by earthworks. A stretch of ground South of Impal was prepared, and crew brief in the usual way, a separate and precise aiming point being given to each formation. The area was well covered by bursts, and Army Officers present expressed satisfaction with the results.

8/12/44

1002 -
2336 hours

10 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack against Locomotives and Trains on the Burma-Siam Railway, between Bany Wang Yai and Kanchanaburi Railway Station and the Japanese stores Area to the south being the secondary target. The weather was good wit 2 to 4/10ths cloud at 8,000 feet over the Railway. 8 different targets along the railway were attacked, consisting of separate locomotives and trains. 3 a/c also attacked the secondary target. Much damage was inflicted on rolling stock, and upon the permanent way. Most targets were well straffed by gunners in addition to the bombing attack. 1 locomotive was destroyed by bombs, and others damaged by gun-fire. Two trains were left burning after attack. At Kanchanaburi a large fire was started by bombing, involving 3 long hut-type buildings in the stores area. Considerable opposition was experienced from machine-guns emplaced along the railway, and at one point from rifle-fire. Gunners straffed several of these gun-posts, silencing one of them. L.M.G. fire and meagre inaccurate Light A/A was seen at Kanchanaburi. Two of our aircraft were holed by bullets, but all returned safely, one aircraft landing at Chittagong to re-fuel, on its way to base.

10/12/44

0832 -
2312 hours

9 a/c were detailed in good weather, to repeat the operation of the 8th, December, the object being to cause further disruption of this vital supply route for Japanese forces operating in Burma. Owing to the previous day's attacks, still more congestion was found on the railway and 13 different objectives were subjected to 31 separate bombing and straffing attacks. At least 5 locomotives received heavy damage, and 3 Diesel-Truck Locomotives were well shot up, in addition. Four trains were set alight, and one of these was seen to explode violently almost an hour after the original attack. Kanchanaburi Railway Station and Stores Area was again attacked by 2 aircraft, burst being seen amongst rolling stock on the tracks, and in the stores area, with a direct hit on one building. The opposition was even heavier on this occasion, machine gun-fire being experienced at many points along the railway. 3 a/c were hit, two receiving heavy damage. F/Sgt. Geason???, Flight Engineer of a/c 'V' was wounded in the lig at M/S 179, and at Kanchanaburi, Sgt. Day, Rear Gunner of a/c 'L' was killed by shrapnel from a small-calibre shell, fired from the ground.

13/12/44

0932 -
2326 hours.

8 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing attack on Bridge 286, over the Manden Chairi River, on the Burma-Siam Railway. The target was covered by heavy cloud at 8,000 feet, with misty rain, bombing runs being below cloud base. Two boxes of four a/c attacked the eastern and western piers of the bridge respectively, in formation. No major damage to the bridge was observed, although bursts were seen on the eastern and western approaches. Much smoke obscured the target, after bombing, from damaged buildings just south of the western end of the bridge. No opposition was encountered.

16/12/44

12 a/c took part in "Exercise Guinness" a group training flight to give squadrons practice in long distance formation flying, and cross-country navigation. The route flown was from Base to Nagpur, on to Poona, Bombay, Bhopal, and return to Base. Simulation bombing attacks were made on the Railway Stations at Nagpur, Poona, and Bombay. Practice bombs were dropped on the range at Bhopal.

18/12/44

11 a/c repeated "Exercise Guinness" exactly as on the 16th, December, 1944.

17/12/44

0700 hours.

The Advance Party consisting of F/O H. L. Howard?, F/Sgt. Fanthorpe, G.C. and Lac. Brown left Digri for Dhubalia?, by road, to prepare the new Headquarters, Technical, and Domestic Sites for the reception of the Squadron, after Christmas.

Dhubalia

19/12/44

1400 hours.

The Advance Party arrived at Dhubalia, and immediately began their duties, which were made no easier by the extreme shortage of furniture and accommodations, on the new Station. Some anxiety was felt as to the safety of the southern dispersal site to be occupied by 'A' flight, pending construction of new hard-standings suitable for heavy aircraft.

21/12/44

0533 -
1317 hours.

12 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack on the Taungup stores Dumps. The secondary target was the Royal Lake Dumps, Akyab In good weather conditions, all aircraft identified the primary target area, the main concentration of bursts falling on Dump No. 4. No special damage was observed, although one crew saw flashes on the ground, after bombing suggestive of ammunition exploding No opposition was encountered.

22/12/44

1700 -
1900 hours.

Advance Party "B", consisting of 1 Corporal, 4 Ac's and 8 Enrolled Followers traveled to Dhubalia by road.

23/12/44

0514 -
1326 hours.

12 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing attack on Taungup Dumps, with the Royal Lake Dumps, Akyab, as the secondary target. All aircraft attacked the primary target in good weather, bombing in 3 boxes of 4 aircraft. The target area was well covered with bursts and incendiaries, causing several secondary explosions, after bombing, with much smoke to 3,000 feet. No opposition was encountered and the weather was good.

27/12/44

1930 hours.

The main rail party of 45 Officers, 45 Warrant Officers, 160 S.N.C.O's 290 B.O.R's (Corporal and Ac's), 9 I.O.R'S and 128 Followers left Chandrakona Road Railway Station.

28/12/44

0950 -
1510 hours.

The Air Party flew from Digri to Dhubalia, consisting of 16 Liberator Aircraft and 1 Harvard. A crew of 4 was carried in each Liberator, and a total of 5 S.N.C.O's and 97 Corporals and Ac's were carried as passengers.

Dhubalia

28/12/44

1710 hours.

The main rail party arrived, the train being unloaded within one hour, and all ranks given a hot meal, and hut accommodation already prepared for them.

Digri

28/12/44

0540 hours.

The M.T. and equipment train of 45 wagons, with escort, left Chandrakona Road Railway Station.

0910 hours.

The Rear Party left Digri by road, arriving at Dhubalia late in the evening on the same day.

1930 hours.

The Equipment Party left Chandrakona Road Railway Station, by rail in charge of P/O Silcocks.

Dhubalia

29/12/44

0830 hours.

The M.T. Train arrived at Dhubalia, unloading being commenced at once, and completed by 1000 hours.

2110 hours.

The Equipment Train arrived at Dhubalia Railway Station. Owing to lack of light, unloading had to be postponed until first light on the 30th, December.

POSTINGS - R.A.F.

164352 P/O J. M. Nesbitt GD(AB)
154357 P/O J. R. T. Nicholas GD(AB)
163728 F/O A. W. Pink GD(AB)

Posted from No. 355 Squadron for flying duties w.e.f. 1/12/44. to No. 215 Squadron.

112340 F/Lt. H. U. Sao GD(Wop/Air)

Posted from No. 357 Squadron for flying duties w.e.f. 8/12/44 to No. 215 Squadron.

163616 F/O C. R. S. Forbes GD(AB)
164295 P/O J. Johnstone GD(AB)

Posted from No. 159 Squadron for flying duties w.e.f. 23/12/44 to No. 215 Squadron.

155410 F/O C. P. J. Diacome? GD(P)

Posted from 231 Group (Unit) for flying duties w.e.f. 22/12/44 to No. 215 Squadron.

185030 P/O M. W. Wood GD(AB)

Posted to No. 6 R.F.U. from No. 215 Squadron w.e.f. 1/12/44.

149629 F/O A. F. Colson GD(P)

Posted to B.H.Q. Calcutta w.e.f. 28/11/44 from 215 Squadron.

POSTINGS - R.A.A.F.

A414684 F/O (A/F/Lt) F. D. Boughton GD(Nav.B)

Poted to No. g R.F.U. from 215 Squadron w.e.f. 1/12/44.

A11323 F/O S. R. Clarke GD(Pilot)

Posted to B.R.D. Worli (supernumerary) from 215 Squadron pending embarkation w.e.f. 22/12/44

POSTINGS - S.A.A.F.

207168Y Lt. T. J. Hawkins GD(P)

Posted from 231 Group to No. 215 Squadron for flying duties w.e.f. 7/12/44.

PROMOTIONS - OFFICERS

53781 P/O V. J. Godber GD(G)

Promoted to F/O w.e.f. 27/2/44.

49549 F/O J. D. Bingham GD(P)

Promoted to F/Lt. w.e.f. 16/7/44.