FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1944
1944 - 0901.PDF
MAY 4TH, 1944 FLIGHT X' \ V 465 ,0 Second Airborne Landing in Burma : Surprise Attack in New Quinea : Pre-invasion Bombing of Continent *"* L fijpi *'&M% i:-..L,„,t " riml^m 'iHHi TnW^« , . • ~"*W WAITING FOR THE " GO " : Airspeed Horsa gliders lined up and waiting for loading and take-off. TiERE has been a second air borne landing behind the Japanese lines in Burma. The troops landed on ground occupied already by a British-Indian force, which in March had marched into Burma from the north and crossed the *•- river Chindwin in boats and rafts dropped from the air. This force found a suitable piece of ground, and sent back news; whereupon the American Air Commando, headed by Col. Philip Cochran, flew in engineers and equip ment, and in a few hours a strip cap able of accepting transport aircraft was laid out. Troops were then flown to the spot to reinforce the men already there. The landings were brought off without mishap, which was more than could be said for the original landings of the Wingate force. That was one nasty surprise for the Japanese. They have had another in New Guinea, where seaborne landings have been made on the extreme western tip of the huge island, at Hol- landia and other spots. The regular technique was followed, aircraft and artillery preparing the way; but the Japanese were caught unprepared, and opposition was slight. For the first time in the Pacific cam paign ground forces of the R.A.A.F. were put ashore on the actual day of "the invasion. Their main object was to prepare airstrips for their own air craft to land, but they also used bull dozers to clear lines of fire and did other engineering work. The men had had a thorough training beforehand in the sort of work they would have to do, and the life they would lead. They carried all their kit on their backs, and of course that kit had been cut to bare necessaries. Air Marshal Sir John Baldwin, A.O.C. the 3rd Tactical Air Force (which is in the South East Asia Com mand), has issued an order of the day, remarking that the force had been formed just over four months ago, and P.R. LIGHTNING • Arnied only with cameras inadad of guns the P-38-F5 is one of the standard photographic reconnais- v J*act typ" of the U.S.A.A.§** , t~/"5k
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
