THE ROYAL AIR FORCE REGIMENT IN BURMA

 

The RAF Regiment was founded on 1st February 1942, with Major-General CF. Liadet, CB,DSO, as its first Commandant.

Before the formation of the Regiment, air­field defence in all its aspects, e.g. AA guns, searchlights, foot patrols, etc., was carried out by ground gunners on the strength of the stations. These men were the nucleus of the Regiment and were embodied as Field Squadrons and Anti­-Aircraft Flights. A very vigorous training programme was commenced, with tough Army instructors who, in due course, were to be very proud of the high standards which came to be associated with the Regiment.

In November 1942, a Regimental Centre was established at Secunderabad, where the first Field Squadrons and AA Flights for Service in Burma were formed. The training of these units was also carried out initially by Army NCOs, and the assault course at Secunderabad gained the reputation for being the most exacting in the Far East. The squadrons formed in India were joined by others which came out from UK, and by the end of the war the RAF Regiment in Air Com­mand South-East Asia comprised 10 Wing HQs, 18 Field Squadrons, 12 AA Squadrons and 3 Armoured Car Squadrons. The Field Squadrons included No 2810, which was the Regiment’s first Parachute Squadron.

The Regiment’s task was to protect forward-based RAF units, including personnel, aircraft, and isolated radar and wireless posts; the latter providing the umbrella for aircraft supplying the 14th Army, and for fighter and fighter-bomber sorties.

Some of the operations carried out by Squad­rons of the Regiment in Burma were as follows:­

ARAKAN In addition to normal duties, detachments operated with the Army on Mayu ridge and South of Maungdaw. It was during a patrol with 6th Bn Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry that the Regiment suffered its first casualties, and an officer of the Regiment was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry during the battle of the Pimple.

    BUTHIDAUNG — In this area considerable assistance was given to the civil authorities by a Field Squadron with 904 Wing which cleared and disposed of 7,000 mortar bombs, nine 5001b bombs, 20 mines and 2 anti-tank traps. Seven assault landing craft were sal­vaged from the Kalapazin river.

    IMPHAL — Units manned the outer defences of the airfields at Kangla and Paid; sonic were 5,000 feet up on what came to be known as ‘Nightmare Peak’, and had to be supplied by mules. There were nightly visits by the un­seen enemy, and frequently severed telephone lines. A Japanese fighting patrol broke through at PaId and destroyed some Hurri­canes.

    MEIKTILA — A defensive box was formed to protect the important group of airfields, and it was besieged by the Japs who attacked con­tinually, day and night, regardless of very heavy losses, in their determination to deny us the use of the airfields. It was here that the Regiment earned undying fame in the bloody fighting, and the many casualties included the CO, Wing Commander Lander. Whilst the battle was at its height, Dakotas were able to land, bringing in 9 Brigade of 5 Indian Div­ision.

    RANGOON AND THE JAPANESE SURRENDER

The Regiment represented the Royal Air Force, forming with the Royal Marines and the 6th Bn Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry a Guard of Honour for the Supremo. The Pipes and Drums of the Regiment took part in the Victory Parade.

The RAF Regiment South-East Asia Com­mand Association, whose badge appears at the head of this article, was formed a few years ago with the object of reuniting old comrades, and good progress has been made.

The Regiment has come a long way since the war, and is now well-known as an excellent body of fighting men. Comparable to the Royal Mar­ines, who are the Royal Navy’s own soldiers, the Regiment has the same relationship with the Royal Air Force. The Queen’s Colour Squadron is regularly to be seen at leading displays of the armed services, when drill of the highest quality is demonstrated, and is praised by the most demanding critics. But this is only the sugar on the cake, because the same immaculate standards are applied to all of their military duties, and they are a force in which we can all take pride.

From the Summer 1987 issue of Dekho! (The magazine of the Burma Star Association)