Place

Date

Time

Summary of Events

The Squadron continued to operate regularly throughout the month, 15 Day Bombing attacks being undertaken. The period from 12th February t 25th February was particularly interesting, as almost daily attacks were made upon Japanese Headquarters, Administrative Buildings & Stores, at the request of the Army, and mainly in areas near to the fighting fronts. In the main, a high level of success was achieved, which war reflected by rapid advances, especially on 4 Corps front the Chauk - Pakekku Bridgehead, where the progress of our ground forces, as reported in daily "Instron?" signals, was watched with great interest by Aircrews and Ground Staff alike.

The complete disappearance of air opposition by the Japanese, to our sorties over northern and central Burma, was very agreeable evidence of enemy weakness in the air. Only once during the month, at Rangoon, were our aircraft intercepted, and on that occasion a Tony was shot down, before it caused any damage to our formation. During the whole month no casualties were sustained by our crews, on a series of operations which, a year earlier would have been considered hazardous.

Several new air-crews arrived during February, to replace tour-expired personnel, and other losses. They were quickly given the necessary final training, including lectures on the operational area, and went into action with "old hands". Morale generally continued at a very high level, all ranks being conscious of doing some good jobs of work - a noticeable reaction to any operations in support of our ground forces, when successfully performed.

3.2.45

08.29 - 23.45

12 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack on the Railway Yards Jumhhorn??, on the Bangkok -Singapore Railway. The weather was favourable, banks of 7-9/10ths, medium cloud, accompanied by rain, being met south of 20°N latitude. The target area was clear and easily identified, and all a/c attacked, in 4 vics of 3 a/c each. A good concentration of bursts was obtained on the target, and several fires resulted from hits on rolling stock and adjacent areas. Subsequent photographic reconnaissance revealed heavy damage to the tracks, and rolling stock; most wagons which escaped direct hits were derailed, and the only locomotive present sustained heavy damage. No opposition was encountered.

5.2.45

13.45 - 21.34

12 a/c were detailed for a Day Sortie on an Army Support operation - to attack an enemy stores and administrative headquarters ad Madaya, north of Mandalay. The weather was generally good, with some cumulus over the hills, en route. The attack was made in formation, and bursts were distributed over the target area, with two sticks on the railway spur-line to the east. Secondary explosions, with much dark smoke were observed from buildings in the area, after bombing. A/c were routed to avoid the ground defences at Sagaing and Mandalay, and apart from meagre ineffective light machine gun fire from the ground in the neighborhood of the target, no opposition was encountered.

8.2.45

10.15 - 17.10

12 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack on Singu Town, to the north of the Ymnangiakng??, Chauk Oilfield, in support of 4 Corps bridgehead over the Irrawaddy River, south of Pakkokku?? Weather was generally good, with cloud to 12,000' over the hills en route, as anticipated. 11 a/c bombed the target in formation, on having released its bombs on opening the bomb doors owing to a defect in the bombing apparatus. The entire target area was well patterned with bursts, and several fires broke out, after bombing. Subsequent reconnaissance showed the whole town area devastated. Nickels were also dropped over Singu. Moderate accurate heavy flak was experienced from the Chank-Yenangyaung area, but the approach to, and the departure from, the target area had been calculated to offer the known gun-positions the least possible chance of hits, and no major damage or casualties were sustained.

11.2.45

09.24 - 18.02

12 a/c participated in the heaviest bombing attack to date of the Burma war, against the enemy supply dumps north of Lake Victoria, Rangoon. Other Liberators and B-24's of Strategic Air Force participated, together with U.S.A.A.F. Superfortresses. An escort of Thunderbolts, and high cover by P-38s over the target, was provided. The target, already burning fiercely, was attacked simultaneously with a/c of 99 Squadron, in Wing Formation. Most sticks fell across the northern part of the Dump Area, with some to the north and northwest, across the grounds and buildings of the Mental Hospital, reputed to be used as an ammunition and petrol store. Dense black smoke rose to 10,000 feet after the attack, and a new, intense group of fires broke out in the Mental Hospital. Moderate H.A.A. was experienced over the target, and four a/c received slight damage. Three Tony's and one possible Oscar were sighted in the neighborhood of the target; one Tony, which flew under and to the rear of the formation to gain position for a beam attack was destroyed by concentrated fire from our gunners, before any attack developed, the pilot being seen to bale out.

121.2.45

13.38 - 21.14

7 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack on Japanese Bun Positions, together with a/c of 99 Squadron, on the left bank of the Irrawaddy River opposite Mydoau?? The target was marked by smoke shells form our artillery across the river, and the attack was make in formation - one box of 4 a/c, and one vic of 3. Most bombs burst within the marked area, and an exceptionally vivid white flash as seen from the ground, during bombing. The weather was good, and there was no opposition. It is interesting to not that, when our troops crossed the river shortly after the attack, not on of the 14 heavy guns in the position bombed, was fired. Japanese documents, captured subsequently, revealed that the air attack had been completely successful.

15.2.45

08.10 - 15.02

8 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack upon the Japanese Local Administrative Headquarters at the village of Niaungnun??, north-west of Kyaukse?? The target was attacked, in good weather, by two formations, each of four a/c. The village was straddled, but many bombs overshot, owing to the ordered stick length being too great. Bright explosions were seen in the village, believed to be ammunition, for 20 miles after leaving the target. There was no opposition.

17.2.45

09.06 - 16.08

8 a/c were detailed for individual day bombing attacks upon Aibmiban?? Airfield. One a/c returned early, jettisoning its bombs owing to engine trouble. A second a/c's bombs released, owing to suspected electrical trouble, when the bomb doors were opened on approach to the target. The target was not very easy to find, but Aunbban?? Village stood out well, and from there, the hangerettes on the airfield could be seen. The two landing strips were well straddled, with many direct hits on both, and other damage to dispersals and taxi-tracks. Meagre, ineffective H.A.A. fire was seen from Heno airfield, to the east, out of range of our a/c. The weather was good throughout the trip.

18.2.45

08.09 - 14.10

8 a/c were detailed for day bombing of Japanese concentration of armoured fighting vehicles, M.T., and servicing units, at Yenangyaung, a heavily defended area. A/c were routed to, and from, the target so as to expose them for the minimum possible period to accurate fire from the ground. The attack was made from the west at 7,000 feet, in two boxes of four a/c. Smoke and dust from previous attacks obscured the target making results difficult to observe. Some sticks fell sout of the target, for the same reason. Moderate H.A.A. was encountered over the target, being reported as fairly accurate, but only slight superficial damage to two a/c was caused by shrapnel. The weather was clear over the sea, and over Burma, with some high and medium cloud over Bengal on both outward and inward journeys.

20.2.45

08.04 - 14.58

8 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack on Singainbmyo, to destroy Japanese troops and installations in the town. The target was obscured by dust and smoke from previous bombing, but almost all bombs were believed to fall in the town area. The weather was good, and no opposition was encountered.

21.2.45

08.05 - 14.58

8 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack upon Japanese occupied areas of Myittha. 7 a/c bombed the target, in good weather conditions, obtaining a good distribution of bursts over the area. All bombs hung up on the remaining a/c, and were jettisoned about 4 miles south of the target. Two or three L.A.A. bursts were seen, while over the target, and a/c "s" received shrapnel damage to the starboard mainplane.

22.2.45

08.36 - 15.24

8 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack on the fortified Pagoda area west of Kaunghmidaw? (Paganyat) in co-operation with other aircraft of Strategic Air Force. The weather was good, and most bombs fell in the prescribed area, which was well covered by bursts. Meagre, inaccurate L.A.A. fire was encountered on bombing runs, from the south approaches of the Ava Bridge.

23.2.45

0900 - 15.38

8 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack on Japanese occupied areas of Mahlaing. The weather was good en route, and from, the target, but in the vicinity of Mahlaing 10/10ths. Alto-cumulus, base 12,000 feet, with some rain, was encountered. There was also a slight ground haze. Bombing was good, the area being well covered. Numerous fires broke out. No opposition was encountered.

24.2.45

08.17 - 15.00

8 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing attack on Japanese Headquarters, stores etc., in Myingyan. The weather was fair, with a slight ground haze. Owing to a slight error of timing by our Squadron, and a/c of another squadron, on the same target, our a/c were forced to turn away on their first bombing run. On the second run, violent air currents possibly slipstream effect from preceding a/c forced our formation away from the correct line, many bombs falling in the river bed just north-west of the target area. Four sticks, and portions of some others, were, however, squarely on the target. No opposition was encountered.

25.2.45

08.41 - 15.53

8 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack upon Japanese Administrative and Stores Areas at Tahnogyi?, on the Hlainguet?? - Lampang Road. Unfortunately, the leading a/c bomb sights became u/s two minutes before bombing, and, as the attack was in formation, only one stick of bombs fell in the area, the remainder being outside to the west. One a/c returned early, owing to engine trouble, jettisoning its bombs in the sea. No opposition was encountered, and the weather was good.

28.3.45 to 1.3.45

11.14 - 00.34

12 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing attack on the Railway Yards at Korat, Thailand. Weather was variable - apart from the unual cloud over the Arakan Hills, aircraft had to climb over a belt of cumulus-nimbus east of the Salween, with tops to 12,000 - 17,000 feet. Weather over the target was good, and aircraft readily identified all ground detail, bombing in formation, in one run. An excellent concentration of bursts was obtained on the target, causing heavy damage to the yards and surrounding buildings. No opposition was encountered, and all aircraft returned safely, A/c "Q" re-fuelling at Cox's Bazaar, en route for base.

Supplementary Reports

Flying Time For Month

Operational Sorties - 138
Hours flown, Day - 948.51
Hours flown Night - 164.05

Non-Operational Flights -24
Hours flown, Day - 19.26
Hours flown, Night - 01.00

Training Flights - 3
Hours flown, Day - Nil
Hours flown, Night - 3.40

Number of Bombs Dropped During Month

1000 lbs. - M.C. - 434
1000 lbs. - G.P. - 472
500 lbs. - M.C. - 581
500 lbs. - G.P. - 89

Number of Rounds Fired

Air Fighting - .50 - 1,260
.303 - 480

At Ground Targets - .50 - 10,108
.303 - 290

Training - .50 - 500
.303 - Nil

Postings - R.A.F.

118490 F/Lt. Wallace, R. C. GD(P)

Posted from F/O post 215 Sqdn. to F/Lt. post 215 Sqdn. with effect from 12.2.45.

164078 F/O. Paterson J. GD(A/B)

Posted from B.H.Q. Calcutta (N/E) to 215 Sqdn. with effect from 29.1.45

134950 P/O. Wade L. D. GD(G)

Posted from 215 Sqdn. to B.H.Q. Bombay (N/E pending repatriation) w.e.f. 25.1.45.

185079 p/o Griffin G. GD(W/Air)

Posted from 215 Sqdn. to B.R.D. Worli w.e.f. 21.1.45.

Postings - R.C.A.F.

Can. C.21515 F/O Gardner M.M. GD(P)

Posted from 231 Group to 215 Sqdn. w.e.f. 12.2.45.

Postings - R.A.A.F.

AUS 421166 P/O Clifford J.M.R. GD(A/B)

Posted to 215 Sqdn. on first commissioning w.e.f. 2.2.45.

AUS 412910 F/O Coulin E. P. GD(P)

Posted from 215 Sqdn. to R.A.F. Ranchi w.e.f. 25.1.45

AUS 417202 F/O Kelley F. S. GD(S)

Posted from 215 Sqdn. to R.A.F. Ranchi w.e.f. 25.1.45

AUS 409912 F/O Graham A. E. GD(P)

Posted from 215 Sqdn. to R.A.F. Ranchi w.e.f. 25.1.45

Promotions - R.A.F.

49238 F/O (A/F/L) Shaw J. H. Tech(E)

Promoted to F/Lt. with effect from 1.7.44

130204 F/O(A/F/L) Milborne H. E. GD(W/Air)

Promoted to F/Lt. with effect from 27.8.44.

133538 F/O Roberts A. W. GD(Nav)

Promoted to F/Lt. with effect from 4.10.44.

132021 F/O Messer R. J. GD(A/B)

Promoted to F/Lt. with effect from 9.10.44.

164357 P/O Nicholas J. R. GD(A/B)

Promoted to F/O with effect from 10.9.44.

Promotions - R.C.A.F.

Can. J. 34576 F/O Frazer W. W. GD(P)

Promoted to A/F/L with effect from 10.1.45