Tiger Force
Tiger Force was the name given to a World War II British Commonwealth long range heavy bomber force, formed in 1945, from squadrons serving with RAF Bomber Command in Europe, for proposed use against targets in Japan. The unit was scheduled to be redeployed to the Pacific theatre in the lead-up to the Allies' proposed Allied invasion of Japan. The unit was disbanded after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war.
The force was to have been based on Okinawa and would have used Avro Lancasters, Avro Lincolns and Consolidated Liberators. The initial proposal was for Tiger Force to be comprised of three groups: one British Royal Air Force (RAF), one Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and one from various air forces. By late 1945 this had been scaled back to two composite groups, made up of RAF, RCAF, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) squadrons.
Escort duties would have been performed by fighter units from the U.S. Far East Air Force and/or the Australian First Tactical Air Force.
Order of battle
Wings
No. 348 Wing RAF (later renamed 551 Wing)
No. 349 Wing RAF (552 Wing)
No. 350 Wing RAF (553 Wing)
No. 351 Wing RAF (554 Wing)
No. 555 Wing RAAF
No. 661 Wing RCAF
No. 662 Wing RCAF
No. 663 Wing RCAF
No. 664 Wing RCAF
Squadrons
Bomber squadrons
No. 7 Squadron RAF
No. 9 Squadron RAF
No. 35 Squadron RAF
No. 44 Squadron RAF (replaced by 49 Squadron)
No. 49 Squadron RAF (replaced 44 Squadron)
No. 75 Squadron RNZAF
No. 207 Squadron RAF
No. 405 Squadron RCAF
No. 408 Squadron RCAF
No. 419 Squadron RCAF
No. 420 Squadron RCAF
No. 425 Squadron RCAF
No. 428 Squadron RCAF
No. 431 Squadron RCAF
No. 434 Squadron RCAF
No. 460 Squadron RAAF
No. 467 Squadron RAAF
No. 617 Squadron RAF
No. 627 Squadron RAF
No. 635 Squadron RAF
No. 692 Squadron RAF
Support units
No. 426 Squadron RCAF (Transport)
Plans were under consideration for airborne attacks on Japan in 1943, but there were no Allied bases near enough to bring the plans to fruition. The Air Ministry decided that conversion of the versatile Avro Lancaster to a tanker would offer a solution, and in February 1944 was prepared to authorise 50 sets of equipment for training and development. The vision of a Very Long Range bomber force of 500 bombers and an equal number of tankers to equip Tiger Force, was never achieved. Two prototype tanker and receiver Lancasters (PB972 and ND648) flew by November, but official enthusiasm was lacking, and during 1945 Pacific bases for Allied air operations became available in increasing numbers.
Some conversions were made, including the fitting of more sophisticated navigational apparatus for operations over large stretches of water. The impending production of the Avro Lincoln bomber, and potential to operate bombers in a state of "overload" with extra fuel, also played a part in reducing British enthusiasm. All the same, orders were actually issued to prepare a large number of Lancasters to act as tankers for the new Lincolns. Limited trials continued at the Bomber Command Development Unit during 1945, with Lancaster tankers ND574 and ND843, and receivers ND793 and ND991.
Other options to increase the fuel capacities of the Lancasters were also pursued, including additional 400 gallon tanks in the bomb bay and removal of the top turret to save weight. Two Lancaster Is were also tested with 1,200 gallon saddle tanks faired into the cockpit and extending back over the upper turret position. The aircraft were flown to India for trials, and made an appearance in Australia, but the tests were disappointing and both aircraft were scrapped in November 1946.
