64 FLYPAST 64 FLYPAST May 2018May 2018
WINGS OVER THE EAST RAF THUNDERBOLTS
Java swansong
In India the rundown of units
continued with the disbandment
of 261 and 615 Squadrons. Both
5 and 30 were re-equipped with
Tempest IIs as part of the permanent
establishment.
Two units, 131 and 258 Squadrons,
moved to Malaya for leaflet dropping
and deterrent sorties against dissident
groups in the north before disbanding
at the end of December.
By then, the Burma-based units had
also gone, with 34 and 113 folding
during October followed by 42 and
79 in December.
Indonesian separatists in the Dutch
East Indies were resisting the return of
Dutch colonial rule after the Japanese
surrender, and British forces were sent
to Java to maintain order. Part of the
RAF element comprised 904 Wing
under Gp Capt David Lee with the
Thunderbolts of 60 and 81 Squadrons.On October 21, 1945, Sqn Ldr
Pat Kennedy led 81 in a thundering
show of force as they arrived at
Kemajoran, near the capital Batavia
(now Jakarta). Following 81 was
60 Squadron, under Sqn Ldr Jackie
Wales, and on the 26th he led a strike
against a rebel stronghold on the
outskirts of Soerbaya.
Both units flew regular patrols
covering road convoys until Dutch
forces took over. Flt Lt Alec Short
strafed a road block near Soekanoemi
on November 29, while on Christmas
Day he came under anti-aircraft fire
when supporting tanks at Bandoeng.
As part of the withdrawal of British
and Indian troops, 81 Squadron
was disbanded in June 1946. Six
months later 60 Squadron returned
to Malaya and re-equipped with
Spitfire 18s, so ending the
Thunderbolt’s service with
the Royal Air Force.“All the units were kept busy, decimating the bedraggled
Japanese Army as it attempted to cross the river – 11,000 men
were killed, most of them in air attacks during Thunderbolt and
Spitfi re operations”offensive action of the war was an
attack on Taangalon on August 8. On
the 14th the Japanese surrendered and
soon afterwards leaflets announcing
the end of conflict were dropped on
surviving Japanese troops.
Not all complied, so both 42 and 79
Squadrons continued bombing until
the 20th. Soon afterwards, 34 and 113
joined 909 Wing at Zayatkwin near
Rangoon.
Operation Birdcage was staged
to drop leaflets on prisoner of
war camps along the Siam border.
During these long flights 34
Squadron lost two Thunderbolts,
one south of Kra Buri on August
30 and another that crashed near
Mergui on September 10.Right
A group of Thunderbolts
from 30 Squadron over
typical Burmese terrain,
January 1945.
KEY COLLECTIONAbove
An 81 Squadron aircraft
undergoes servicing in
Batavia. Note the revised
‘Ace of Spades’ insignia
on the nose. KEY COLLECTION
Below
A line-up of 79 Squadron
Thunderbolt Mk.IIs in- KEY COLLECTION