RAF Dakota in Burma WWII
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Could it just be me?
Trid your trail OD and ended at Journal 42
RAF Historical Society Journals | Collections | Research | RAF Museum
Any help>
PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)
Trid your trail OD and ended at Journal 42
RAF Historical Society Journals | Collections | Research | RAF Museum
Any help>
PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)
Strangely enough there is a letter in the current edition of Guild (as in GAPAN) News about this very subject. W/Cdr Geoff Collins RAF, who served on exchange in 436 in the Seventies says:
in the 8 mos they were in theatre 436 flew >36k hours, and airlifted 29k tons of supplies and 15k troops, passengers and casualties. 436 is alive and well at Trenton, Ontario, frecently re-equipped with the new C130J.
He recently presented a 436 Sqn badge to the RAF Club.
in the 8 mos they were in theatre 436 flew >36k hours, and airlifted 29k tons of supplies and 15k troops, passengers and casualties. 436 is alive and well at Trenton, Ontario, frecently re-equipped with the new C130J.
He recently presented a 436 Sqn badge to the RAF Club.
pzu et al,
Sorry for the problems/duff gen.
If you pm me with an email address, I will send you the journal files which are appropriate. This will comprise some photographs and the combined WILDHORN and Warsaw airlift presentation.
Old Duffer
Sorry for the problems/duff gen.
If you pm me with an email address, I will send you the journal files which are appropriate. This will comprise some photographs and the combined WILDHORN and Warsaw airlift presentation.
Old Duffer
This has stirred memories of my late father telling me his first-ever flight was in a Dakota. I can only surmise that it was from Calcutta to Imphal circa May 1942 in order to re-join his Royal Artillery unit. He'd been left behind, hospitalised with typhus, while the parent 23rd Indian Division moved up to the Burmese border. How I wish I knew the facts.
Later he and thousands of others were for many weeks sustained by airdrops from Dakotas during the Battle of Imphal. Bless 'em all!
Later he and thousands of others were for many weeks sustained by airdrops from Dakotas during the Battle of Imphal. Bless 'em all!
XV490,
If your father's first flight was circa May 1942, it could well have been in a DC2 or DC3, rather than a Dakota. As mentioned elsewhere, the RAF acquired some civilian DC2s and 3s prior to the militarised C47 becoming available.
There are some very good books about the Dakota, both from the technical and operational sides and it is only when one delves a bit deeper that one realises just how many versions/variations there are.
The American singer Oscar Brand, besides many bawdy ballads, had a song which starts off: "In '51 they tried to ground the Noble DC3, and so lawyers brought the case before the CAB, the Board examined all the facts, behind their great oak portals, and then pronounced these simple words, the gooney bird's imortal".
My father returned from a three year tour in the Far East in 1947 and effectively 'worked his passage' as the RAF was bringing home several Dakotas which were to be returned to the USA. It took him five days and he was responsible for their ground support at each stop - bit of self preservation if you ask me!
Old Duffer
If your father's first flight was circa May 1942, it could well have been in a DC2 or DC3, rather than a Dakota. As mentioned elsewhere, the RAF acquired some civilian DC2s and 3s prior to the militarised C47 becoming available.
There are some very good books about the Dakota, both from the technical and operational sides and it is only when one delves a bit deeper that one realises just how many versions/variations there are.
The American singer Oscar Brand, besides many bawdy ballads, had a song which starts off: "In '51 they tried to ground the Noble DC3, and so lawyers brought the case before the CAB, the Board examined all the facts, behind their great oak portals, and then pronounced these simple words, the gooney bird's imortal".
My father returned from a three year tour in the Far East in 1947 and effectively 'worked his passage' as the RAF was bringing home several Dakotas which were to be returned to the USA. It took him five days and he was responsible for their ground support at each stop - bit of self preservation if you ask me!
Old Duffer
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There's a set of photos of the 3rd batch of 2nd hand transports being ferried through Natal, Brazil by Pan Am ferries Inc for the British in September 1941 here. There are shots of the cabin fuel tanks in there, too
Brazilian Air Bases - Hosted by Google
These are DC-2s and DC-3s... the first couple of batches were mainly Lodestars
Brazilian Air Bases - Hosted by Google
These are DC-2s and DC-3s... the first couple of batches were mainly Lodestars
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Thinking about the foreground now:
Does anybody know if in Burma during WWII the RAF Regt had bofors guns or something similar for airfield defence?
Does anybody know if in Burma during WWII the RAF Regt had bofors guns or something similar for airfield defence?
Tiger Mate,
Given that you referred to a specific airfield, I think the answer you seek can only come from a search as to what was actually on site at the date you specify, if it's to be authentic.
The station Form 540 will reveal the deployed RAF Regt/AA units present. From this you can find the weapons issued to those units and hence depict them.
Your painting -which is looking good - suggests that one is looking along the line of a 'paved' strip or hardstanding. I think it unlikely that any obstructions (weapons pits) would be in the foreground, perhaps off to the side therefore.
Old Duffer
Given that you referred to a specific airfield, I think the answer you seek can only come from a search as to what was actually on site at the date you specify, if it's to be authentic.
The station Form 540 will reveal the deployed RAF Regt/AA units present. From this you can find the weapons issued to those units and hence depict them.
Your painting -which is looking good - suggests that one is looking along the line of a 'paved' strip or hardstanding. I think it unlikely that any obstructions (weapons pits) would be in the foreground, perhaps off to the side therefore.
Old Duffer
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I have on record that if this were seen through your own eyes, then to the right is tentage without walls. At 3oclock , short distance is the abandoned hulk of another Dakota. The surface is bare earth with grass clusters. In the heat there is dust, in the rain there is mud - lots of it. I propose to show both standing water and dust knowing how quickly change happens in rainforest. Ditches, gun pits and guns are all feasible although I do not have proof. I have artistic license but would only use this within logical reason. I understand that the RAF Regt provided airfield defence and that attacks by Japanese troops were commonplace. The skies were dominated by allied forces but air strikes were completed. Most damage was done by incoming artillery, including the loss of 7 Dakotas in a single day.
Tiger Mate,
My apologies if I appear to doubt one comment you make above.
I have compiled a record of transport and special duties aircraft, including those in the Far East. However, I have no record of seven Dakotas being lost in a single day, for my own interest do you have a source for that info? I have, however, made an assumption that you are referring to British Commonwealth aircraft by using the word 'Dakota', rather than - say - C47, to embrace our US friends.
O-D
My apologies if I appear to doubt one comment you make above.
I have compiled a record of transport and special duties aircraft, including those in the Far East. However, I have no record of seven Dakotas being lost in a single day, for my own interest do you have a source for that info? I have, however, made an assumption that you are referring to British Commonwealth aircraft by using the word 'Dakota', rather than - say - C47, to embrace our US friends.
O-D
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This particular painting is being done in tribute to the war artist, the late Frank Wootton who worked for an extended period at Meiktila in WWII. All of the paintings he did at the time were in haste and almost abstract in nature, whereas I have the benefit of both time and peace, neither of which Frank had. In my independent research I have found very little about the place and fewer still photographs although I am aware of IWM film footage that would probably be a goldmine to me that I have not been able to access.
It is in Franks memoires that the story wrt 7 Dakotas came to light. However in case I have crossed wires, I shall revisit the memoires and confirm later. I do think it a shame that the war in the far east appears to be the ginger haired step child of RAF history when the highs and lows of the place must have been a real roller-coaster of emotion.
WRT to painting such as this, and indeed the Whirlwind, the potential customer base is too small to merit an efficient business model but at the moment, I have the luxury of being able to paint what I want rather then what the majority of art collectors wish to see repeated over and over again. It also falls nicely within my mission statement of preserving aviation heritage through art.
It is in Franks memoires that the story wrt 7 Dakotas came to light. However in case I have crossed wires, I shall revisit the memoires and confirm later. I do think it a shame that the war in the far east appears to be the ginger haired step child of RAF history when the highs and lows of the place must have been a real roller-coaster of emotion.
WRT to painting such as this, and indeed the Whirlwind, the potential customer base is too small to merit an efficient business model but at the moment, I have the luxury of being able to paint what I want rather then what the majority of art collectors wish to see repeated over and over again. It also falls nicely within my mission statement of preserving aviation heritage through art.
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As promised:
The capture of Meiktila at the end of February (1945) was the key to victory. Kimura, the Japanese commander, constantly attacked the airfield. All our aircraft were targets for his guns. We lost seven Dakotas on 29 March. The RAF Regiment drove back two companies of Japanese, inflicting a loss of forty- eight killed. The regiments own casualties numbered seven. Supplies were maintained by parachute. Finally, it was April when landings became possible again.
Frank Wootton was at Meiktila in the weeks leading up to VJ day and two weeks afterwards. VJ day is Aug 15 1945.
This is the film description held by the IWM.
ACTIVITIES ON MEIKTILA AIRSTRIP (11/4/1945)
This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: ABY 154).
Synopsis
RAF and US Army Air Force (USAAF) operations at and around Meiktila following its capture by British forces.
Bomb damage to buildings and railway rolling stock. A number of stone or plaster figures of the Buddha appear to have survived amongst one pile of rubble. American lorries at Meiktila airstrip. A lorry reverses up to a waiting Douglas Dakota transport aircraft and unloads ammunition boxes containing 25-pounder artillery rounds. A petrol bowser marked '100 Oct[ane]' passes parked Dakotas. A ground crewman passes a refuelling hose to another on the wing of a Dakota. A line-up of Dakotas on the perimeter track. A tent, apparently Flight HQ, with an unidentifiable squadron badge fixed to a nearby tree. Aerial view of the airstrip at Meiktila with gliders scattered about; the gliders are USAAF CG-4 Wacos ('Hadrian' in RAF service). An oil drum is unloaded from a Dakota. Dakota KJ916 is loaded from a lorry. Parked aircraft with gliders coming in to land; some of the parked aircraft are USAAF Curtiss C-46 Commandos. Wounded troops on stretchers are lifted onto a Dakota. Ambulances parked by a Dakota. Dakotas taking off. Waco gliders landing. Soldiers and local people attend to a tangled pile of parachutes. Close-ups of local Burmese people including women and children. A soldier examines an abandoned Japanese artillery piece on an archaic-looking wheeled carriage. An extremely brief shot of a wrecked Japanese light tank, probably a Type-95 Ha-Go. A wrecked Dakota with close-ups of a hole in its fuselage and a wrecked engine. A sign reads 'Meiktila Landing Strip'. Dakota take-off. A large pile of parachutes.
Notes
British Army films relating to the capture of Meiktila can be found under related items below.
2 minutes of silent B&W film and I wish it was available.
The wrecked Dakota may be KN232 of RAF 238 Squadron. This aircraft, laden with casualties, was hit by shellfire during take-off which knocked out an engine and collapsed an undercarriage leg. This aircraft and the crew can be seen in an IWM photograph referenced below.
The capture of Meiktila at the end of February (1945) was the key to victory. Kimura, the Japanese commander, constantly attacked the airfield. All our aircraft were targets for his guns. We lost seven Dakotas on 29 March. The RAF Regiment drove back two companies of Japanese, inflicting a loss of forty- eight killed. The regiments own casualties numbered seven. Supplies were maintained by parachute. Finally, it was April when landings became possible again.
Frank Wootton was at Meiktila in the weeks leading up to VJ day and two weeks afterwards. VJ day is Aug 15 1945.
This is the film description held by the IWM.
ACTIVITIES ON MEIKTILA AIRSTRIP (11/4/1945)
This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: ABY 154).
Synopsis
RAF and US Army Air Force (USAAF) operations at and around Meiktila following its capture by British forces.
Bomb damage to buildings and railway rolling stock. A number of stone or plaster figures of the Buddha appear to have survived amongst one pile of rubble. American lorries at Meiktila airstrip. A lorry reverses up to a waiting Douglas Dakota transport aircraft and unloads ammunition boxes containing 25-pounder artillery rounds. A petrol bowser marked '100 Oct[ane]' passes parked Dakotas. A ground crewman passes a refuelling hose to another on the wing of a Dakota. A line-up of Dakotas on the perimeter track. A tent, apparently Flight HQ, with an unidentifiable squadron badge fixed to a nearby tree. Aerial view of the airstrip at Meiktila with gliders scattered about; the gliders are USAAF CG-4 Wacos ('Hadrian' in RAF service). An oil drum is unloaded from a Dakota. Dakota KJ916 is loaded from a lorry. Parked aircraft with gliders coming in to land; some of the parked aircraft are USAAF Curtiss C-46 Commandos. Wounded troops on stretchers are lifted onto a Dakota. Ambulances parked by a Dakota. Dakotas taking off. Waco gliders landing. Soldiers and local people attend to a tangled pile of parachutes. Close-ups of local Burmese people including women and children. A soldier examines an abandoned Japanese artillery piece on an archaic-looking wheeled carriage. An extremely brief shot of a wrecked Japanese light tank, probably a Type-95 Ha-Go. A wrecked Dakota with close-ups of a hole in its fuselage and a wrecked engine. A sign reads 'Meiktila Landing Strip'. Dakota take-off. A large pile of parachutes.
Notes
British Army films relating to the capture of Meiktila can be found under related items below.
2 minutes of silent B&W film and I wish it was available.
The wrecked Dakota may be KN232 of RAF 238 Squadron. This aircraft, laden with casualties, was hit by shellfire during take-off which knocked out an engine and collapsed an undercarriage leg. This aircraft and the crew can be seen in an IWM photograph referenced below.
Last edited by Tiger_mate; 17th Apr 2013 at 23:08.
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"Lost" may to an uninformed observer may actually be "damaged repairable" and therefore not destined to feature on any stats. If we know that there was a Dakota hulk, (ie a write-off) then we can assume that there was a limited source of spares for it would have been canabalised.
There is an IWM photo showing a Dakota and crew with the Dak having a collapsed post main and a big hole through the engine after sustaining artillery fire whilst 'departing', or 'taking off' as written elsewhere. However the damage does not appear to have been inflicted at a time of momentum with the aircraft and it may well be that such damage was repairable on site. The hole was at the rear of the engine fairing and if it had missed the spar (leading edge on a DC3 anyone?) then the damage may not have been as bad as first impressions would have you believe.
There is an IWM photo showing a Dakota and crew with the Dak having a collapsed post main and a big hole through the engine after sustaining artillery fire whilst 'departing', or 'taking off' as written elsewhere. However the damage does not appear to have been inflicted at a time of momentum with the aircraft and it may well be that such damage was repairable on site. The hole was at the rear of the engine fairing and if it had missed the spar (leading edge on a DC3 anyone?) then the damage may not have been as bad as first impressions would have you believe.
People to come next which I think will be the making of the painting.
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IWM photo Dakota Meiktila
ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945. © IWM (CF 540)
(via the hot-linking facility on the IWM Collections site)
Last edited by A30yoyo; 20th Apr 2013 at 22:51.
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Dakota Shot down
I would be very interested in your photos and data as my own Father was shotdown in a Dakota, but he was in the back as a Supplier.
Tiger Mate: The 29 March 1945 date for the loss of 7 Dakotas caught my eye. As I mentioned earlier, 10 Squadron was operating from Meiktila and Myitkina on detachment from India for a period in 1946 - and lost 3 aircraft in the hills on 29 March 1946, two of them at the same mountain DZ. A single Sepoy survived one of the crashes and was found a few days later.
Incidentally, there appears to be a gap of about a year in the unit's F540 record from late 1945, and I'd be happy to hear from anyone who has logbook or other family detail to help fill out the picture for that period.
(And odd to hear of events in the town of Meiktila in this morning's news.)
Incidentally, there appears to be a gap of about a year in the unit's F540 record from late 1945, and I'd be happy to hear from anyone who has logbook or other family detail to help fill out the picture for that period.
(And odd to hear of events in the town of Meiktila in this morning's news.)
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In the hope of tracking down some Sqn history and maybe a late input into this painting, here is an update now depicting medics working on a stretcher case and a crew brief/debrief.
The green fatique trousers that all apppear to wear are unlike anything I have seen in other theatres and I wonder if they were either Australian or US in origin.
The green fatique trousers that all apppear to wear are unlike anything I have seen in other theatres and I wonder if they were either Australian or US in origin.
Last edited by Tiger_mate; 6th May 2013 at 15:53.
