Place

Date

Time

Summary of Events

Although the Squadron only arrived at Dhubalia on the 28th December 1944, operations commenced on the 1st January 1945, as ordered, after only three days preparation, and in spite of a shortage of necessary furniture and other equipment. These difficulties are mentioned in the reports of various sections, attached as appendices to this months diary. By depriving 275 Wing Enrolled Followers of their charpoys, it was just possible to provide all British personnel with a bed to sleep on. Only 37 "Cots Newar" were detained for the use of 58 Officers, but the balance were able to use the camp beds contained in their Kit. The Officers, Sergeants, and Airmen's Messes were equipped with the bare minimum of furniture, and for many days amateur carpentry was going on in al parts of the camp. Ammunition boxes were found to be easily adapted into useful writing desks, tables, seats and so forth. RS 34,000 of furniture was on order to remedy these deficiencies, and was not expected for some weeks. Many of the billets were already fitted for electric light, but the remainder could not be wired owing to a shortage of switches, joint-boxes, and other necessary gear.

Bombing Operations were undertaken during the month. Unsuitable weather conditions on the 6th, 7th, and 24th resulted in the cancellation of attacks arranged for these dates. Three sorties in January were against objectives on the Burma-Siam Railway, where the steep hills on either side of the line form ideal sites for Japanese defensive weapons. On the 1st January, S/L Seadon's aircraft was hit over Shiyfyit??, being set on fire, and the Rear Gunner Sgt. A. D. Harding, was killed. On the 3rd January, A/C 'D' was shot down at the same place, by fire from the ground, and was seen to crash in flames, with little hope of survival for the crew. Their names were:

F/L C. R. Brodie (Captain)
F/O J. A. Potts (2nd pilot)
F/L E. D. Cox (Navigator)
P/O J. H. Nickott (Bomb-Aimer)
F/S H. Dawson (Flight Engineer)
F/L A. H. Harris (1st W/Op)
W/O H. O Irvine (2nd W/Op)

W/O A. L Reid (Gunners)
F/L T. Sao
Sgt. W. D. Adams
F/S. W. L Washbrook

These casualities were deeply felt, especially by our Canadian personnel who lost six compatriots in the same aircraft - Brodie, Potts, Cox, Harris, Irvine, and Washbrook. On the 8th January, at the same place F/O Nevile's aircraft got into difficulties, and the Ball Gunner, F/S Reekes, baled out, being seen to land amongst trees.

In spite of these losses, and the difficulties of operating from a temporary site on an unfinished airfield, morale on the Squadron continued at a high level.. The daily reports of progress against the enemy, in Europe and in this theatre, were most heartening, and all ranks were encouraged by the announcement of a possibility of "home leave". The advent of Australian meat in the messes and the final disappearance from the menu of the infamous "Soya Links" (Imitation Sausages) was greatly appreciated.

Dhubalia

1/1/45

0959 - 2316 hours

6 a/c were detailed for a day bombing attack upo0n Locomotives and Trains on the Burma - Siam Railway, from a point 40 miles south of Thandyuzayat??. To a point 10 miles north of that town. Rolling Stock, Tracks and Installations wer the secondary target. Very little rolling stock was seen on the railway, and only one complete train. The locomotive attached to this train was destroyed by bombing, from medium height, and the train shot up by air-gunners. Only one other small concentration of rolling stock was attacked, without success. 3 further atacks were upon bridges, being the Karapy?? Bridge on the Ye Branch Line. Attacks were also made on Sidings and Railway Stations in the allotted area. Visual and photographic reports were disappointing. But in one case a long delay bomb (one of which was carried by each aircraft) was seen to strike near stores Buildings at Kandan??, and it is possible that other delay bombs inflicted additional damage at other points, later in the day. The weather was good, with little cloud. Light Anti-Aircraft and intense and accurate Machine-gun fire was reported at four points on the railway. A/C 'N?' piloted by S/L C. V. Seadon (O.C. 'A' Flight) was hit in the tail, and set on fire, and the rear gunner Sgt. A. B. Harding was killed. The co-pilot W/O A. C. Combes, after using extinguishers finally put out the fire by beating with clothing and throwing drinking water on the flames. The aircraft was successfully landed 'wheels down' at base, in spite of extensive damage to the tail and rear control surfaces.

3/1/45

0704 - 2040 hours

8 a/c were detailed for further attacks on the Burma-Siam Railway. 4 aircraft bombed Bridge 19 (8 miles south of Thanbyuzaiat?), as briefed, the remainder being ordered to attack Locomotives an Trains, if seen. Rolling stock, Tracks and Installations were secondary objectives for all aircraft. One aircraft failed to take off owing to engine trouble. Bridge 19 sustained no direct hits, but craters were seen within 20 feet, and the bridge structure was much damaged by blast. The single-track line was cut in tow places north of the bridge. Two other bridges were attacked, with damage to the approach in each case. The railway junction 1 1/2 miles south of Thabyuzayat was also attacked, with probable damage to tracks. Meagre but accurate L.A.A. Fire was encountered at Miles 6 3/4 and 37. One aircraft was hit by bursting L.A.A., and was seen to crash, with little chance of survival for the crew. A second aircraft received damage to two engines prior to bombing and jettisoned its bombs, returning safely to Cox's Bazaar. No trains or locomotives were seen on this mission. The weather was good.

6/1/45

A Day-Bombing attack upon the Railway Sidings 2 1/4miles south of Thabyuzayat was planned but had to be abandoned owing to unsuitable weather over Southern Burma.

7/1/45

The proposed operation against Prome Supply Dumps was cancelled owing to adverse weather.

8/1/45

9 aircrafte were detailed to attack the Railway and Road Cutting at Mileston 54 south of Thanyuzayat??, on the Burma-Siam Railway. 1 aircraft failed to take off owing to engine trouble. A second aircraft's engines cut out a few minutes before reaching the target and all bombs were jettisoned. The Ball Gunner, F/S H. A. Reekes, bailed out but the engines were eventually re-started, and the aircraft flown back to base. F/S Reskes? Was seen to land amongst trees, near the railway, 37 miles south of Thansyuzayat??. The remaining 7 aircraft bombed the target in one box of four machines, and a vic of three. The concentration of burst was seen just north-west?. Of the narrow cutting, and it is feared that little damage resulted, although one burst demolished a hut-type building at one end of the cutting, near the railway. There was some broken cloud over the target, but on this occasion, no opposition from the enemy was encountered.

11/1/45

1059 - 2320 hours

Today the Squadron made its first attack upon objectives on the Bangkok-Chien>rai? Manlay?? A rail sweep was made from Pakhanpoh??, to Bhiapreoke?, the primary objective being the eastern Prepaap????, Bridges, with Rolling Stock and Installations as the secondary targets. Attacks were made with 11 second delay bombs, from the lowest possible level. Results were good the span of one bridge being completely down. Heavy damage dut to bucking and displacement of girders was caused to a second bridge. Other damage to bridge approaches and tracks was also confirmed. On one run during the succesful attack upon Bridge 26 at Paxmampoh??, gunners shot up the railway Water Tower, causing the contents to escape by many holes. Heave A.A. fire was reported from Prome, enroute for the target area, but no damage was sustained. One aircraft received damage by a machine gun firing intermittently from a position near Bridge 26, east??, of Taktampoh??? The weather was good throughout the trip.

13/1/45

1007 - 1700

8 aircraft were detailed to atack a tactical target at Mandalay, consisting of a concentration of Japanese Troops andsupplies in the area of the Police Lines area Training School, the Courts of Justice, and the Football Ground, just southe-east of Fort Dufferin. The weather was good generally, with some haze, probably due to dust, over the target area. Bomb-bursts were concentrated squarely on the target, and three groups of fires, giving off dark smoke, were seen after the attack. Japanese casualties from this attack, and others in the Mandalay area, were subsequently estimate at 1,000 dead by a ground source. Meagre but accurate H.A.A. and Bofors-type fire was encountered from positions at Sagaing and Mandalay, on the run-in, and from the guns at Myinge??, on turning away from the target. No damage was sustained by our aircraft, largely due to energetic straffing of the A/A positions by Thunderbolt aircraft, before and during the bombers attack.

16/1/45

0910 - 1825 hours

9 aircraft were detailed to attack the airfield at Mayatkwn??, in co-operation with Liberators of 99 Squadron, the object being to crater the main runway, and the ketch strip immediately west. No.'s6 and 8 Supply Dumps at Prome were the secondary targets. The wather en route for the target was good, but over the lower Inrawaddy?, Valley 6-9/10ths cloud impeded observation, and bombing. For this reason some aircraft were unable to pinpoint their bursts, but stickw were seen to straddle the Main runway, and taxi-tracks nearby. The vic of three aircraft attacking the ketch strip bombed through a gap in the cloud, and were able to see their bursts, extending across the runway. No opposition of any kind was encountered - an unusual feature in the Rangoon area, where combats with enemy aircraft frequently occur. An escort of 24 P.38's and 24 P.47's was provided to cover this contingency.

18/1/45

0926 - 1649 hours

12 aircraft were detailed to attack Meimtila Airfield, with 12 aircraft of 99 Squadron assisting. Some cloud was encountered en route, but conditions over the target were clearer, with 2-4/10ths strato-cumulus at 4-5,000 feet. A fighter Escort of 12 P.38's and 20 P.47's met the bombers at Chiytagong. All aircraft attacked in formation, with the exception of one, which, forced outwards on a turn before reaching the target area, bombed Thymw?? Airfield, obtaining hits on a taxi-track and road. At Meiktila, bombing was concentrated across both runways, several direct hits being scored, rendering the airfield unserviceable. Moderate H.A.A. fire from positions N.E. of Meintila Town was experienced on bombing runs, being accurate at first, but deteriorating later. One aircraft was holed in several places by shrapnel, but there were no casualties, and all aircraft returned safely to base.

21/1/45

0600 - 1300 hours

12 aircraft were detailed to take part in the combined assault upon Ramee Island by Naval, Air, and Ground Forces. Japanese Coast Defences were first shelled by the Navy. Immediately afterwards aircraft of the Strategic Air Force bombarded gun positions and defensive works at Mont Peter, Kyaumfalon??, and Black Hill, and the Japanese Headquarters Camp Area at Cndaw. During this time, other defensive positions ere attacked by our fighter-bombers, and Landing Craft approached the northern shore, timed to discharge their troops and equipment as soon as the major bombardment ceased. Timing was excellent, and fire ceased from the Naval Units as our bombers made their run upon Mount Peter, from the north. The attack was made in formation, in four vics each of 3 aircraft, and a close concentration of bursts was obtained on the seaward slopes of the hill, which was the aiming-point. No escort was provided, as fighters were operating against ground targets in the area, during the bombers attack. No opposition of any kind was encountered, and the weather was clear.

24/1/45

An attack was planned against the Railway Cutting at Milestone 54 south of Thansyuzayat, on the Burma-Siam Railway, but the operation was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

25/1/45

0930 - 1607 hours

12 aircraft were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack on Railhead and Industrial Installations at Amarapura, near Mandalay. The weather was goo, and the attack was made as planned, in formation, by four vics of three aircraft each. Bombing was well concentrated the north and north-westerly portions of the target area being well covered with bursts. Three large fires were observed after bombing, and subsequent photographic information revealed heavy damage to barrack-buildings, storage sheds and numerous residential-type buildings. Moderate inaccurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered during the run up, from Myinge???, and Gagaing, adn from positions at Mandalay, after bombing. None of our air craft was hit. No fighter escort was provided.

28/1/45

0640 - 1316 hours

12 aircraft were detailed to bomb Japanese bunker and defensive positions on a hill-feature jus west of Kangaw, in support of an Army attack in the Mykon area. The attack was made in four vics, each of 3 aircraft, unescorted. Bombing was excellent under conditions of good visibility and the defensive area was well covered by bursts. Crew report seeing haulks of timber, (presumably from revetments), flying into the air. An hour before the crews landed, a message of congratulations on the accuracy and effectiveness of the attack was received, from observers in the area. No opposition was encountered.

31/1/5

0730 - 1508 hours

12 aircraft were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack on Japanese Administrative Headquarters and stores at Kyaukse. The target area was the built-up portion of the town, west of the Zangi River, and a good concentration of bursts was obtained, with some slight undershooting to the north-east. Several buildings and a canal?, bridge were seen to disintegrate. Fires were started in the area, and one large fire gave off black smoke to 3,000 feet. No opposition was encountered and the weather was good.

Supplementary Reports

Flying times for month:

Operational sorties - 105

Hours flown, Day - 762.18

Hours flown, Night - 83.12

Non-operational Flights - 21

Hours flown, Day - 28.40

Training Flights - 34

Hours flown, Day - 26.45

Hours flown, Night - 11.50

Number of Bombs Dropped During Month

1000 lbs - 509

500 lbs - 657

250 lbs - 3

Number of Rounds Fired

Air Fighting

Nil - .50

Nil. -.303

At Ground Targets

38,561 - .50

1,848 - .303

Postings R.A.F.

186178 P/O H. J. McCarthy GDWop/Air)
186182 P/O T. G. Vies GD.Wop/Air)

Posted from 22 A.P.C. for flying duties w.e.f. 8/1/45 to No. 215 Squadron.

125162 F/Lt R. H. H. Potts GD.Nav.B

Posted from No. 231 Group(U) for flying duties w.e.f. 16/1/45 to No. 215 Squadron.

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

Posted from 215 Squadron F/O post to 215 Squadron F/Lt. post w.e.f. 14/1/45.

39641 S/Ldr P. R. O'Connor GD(P)
66549 F/Lt. N. M. Williams GD(P)

Posted to B.R.D. Worli from 215 Squadron w.e.f. 7/1/45 pending repatriation to U.K.

Postings - R.A.A.F.

AUS.400609 F/Lt(A/S/L) Williams, R. D. GD(P)

Posted from 215 Squadron F/Lt post to 215 Squadron S/Ldr post w.e.f. 5/1/45.

AUS.413313 F/O R. V. Lantske GD(P)

Posted to B.R.D. Worli w.e.f. 21/1/45 pending repatriation.

Postings - R.N.Z.A.F.

NZ.411044 F/O S. T. F. Downie GD(P)

Posted to B.R.D. Worli w.e.f. 21/1/45 pending repatriation.

Promotions - Officers

AUS.400609 F/Lt. Williams, R. D. GD(P)

Promoted to rank of A/S/Ldr w.e.f. 5.1.45

163641 P/O Smith, E. A. GD(A/B)

Promoted to F/O w.e.f. 28/7/44

163869 P/O Silcocks, K. L. GD(A/B)

Promoted to F/O w.e.f. 11/8/44

163767 P/O Tancock, L. R. GD(A/B)

Promoted to F/O w.e.f. 11/8/44

163857 P/O Stracmen?? P. G. GD(A/B)

Promoted to F/O w.e.f. 11/8/44