Numb. 38229 1713

SUPPLEMENT

TO

The London Gazzette

OF FRIDAY, the 5th of MARCH, 1948

Registered as a newspaper

THURSDAY, 11 MARCH, 1948

AIR OPERATIONS IN BURMA AND THE BAY OF BENGAL

JANUARY 1st TO MAY 22nd, 1942

General Headquarters, India,

New Delhi, India,

28th September, 1942.

From:

General Sir Archibald P. Wavell, G.C.B., C.M.G., M.C., A.D.C.

To:

The Chiefs of Staff, London.

I forward herewith two copies of a report by Air-Vice-Marshal D. F. Stevenson on Air-operations in Burma and the Bay of Bengal from January 1st (the date on which Air-Vice-Marshal Stevenson assumed command) to May 22nd, 1942 (the date when the forces from Burma completed evacuation to India).

Air-Vice-Marshal Stevenson's report emphasises the remarkable work performed by a small air force in defence of Rangoon, and the difficulties which the Air Force, in common with the Army, suffered through lack of the necessary resources for the defence of Burma. I have already commented on these in my Despatch¹ of July 1st, 1942, on the Burma operations and I have nothing further to add.

In paragraphs 122 to 131 Air-Vice-Marshal Stevenson refers to certain telegrams addressed lo ABDA Command to which he received no reply. From the records of ABDA Command it appears that both these telegrams were received with very considerable delay, and not until instructions had been received transferring Burma back from ABDA Command to the command of -the C.-in-C. India. Also Air-Vice-Marshal Stevenson had included the proviso that failing immediate instructions am putting this plan into action commencing today. By the time, therefore, that these telegrams were received command had passed from ABDA and Air-Vice-Marshal Stevenson had presumably already taken action. No reply was therefore necessary.

Please pass one copy of this report to Air Ministry.

A. P. WAVELL,

General.

Despatch on Air Operations in Burma and, the Bay of Bengal covering the period January 1st to May 22nd, 1942, by Air Vice-Marshal D. F. STEVENSON, C.B.E.. D.S.O., M.C.

AIR OPERATIONS IN BURMA AND THE BAY OF BENGAL,

SPRING, 1942.

INTRODUCTION.

1. The following is a report on the air operations carried out by a small Allied Air Force (American Volunteer Group, Royal Air Force and Indian Air Force) against the Japanese Air Force in Burma and the Bay of Bengal and the subsequent movement of the R.A.F. and I.A.F. to India whence operations against the Japanese continue.

2. In reading this Despatch the following chronological summary may be of assistance: —

1941.

Dec. 9th—War declared by Japan.

Dec. 23rd—Struggle for air superiority over Rangoon commenced.

1942, Jan. 18th—Mergui and Tavoy evacuated.

Jan. 29th—Japanese thrust through Tenasserim towards Rangoon commenced.

Feb. 15th—Singapore fell.

Feb. 25th—Last Japanese effort failed to establish air superiority over Rangoon.

March 7th—Demolitions at Rangoon commenced, Rangoon evacuated and General Alexander's Army commenced withdrawal up Prome Road.

March 21st—Japanese inflicted severe reverse on R.A F. Wing at Magwe.

April 12th—Air operations based in India and Assam in support of the Army commenced.

May 20th—General Alexander's Army withdrawn to India and Air operations against the enemy m Burma continue.

3. On the 12th December, 1941, I was informed by the Air Ministry that I was to take over Command of the Air Forces in Burma. It was proposed to reinforce Burma with a force of 4 Fighter Squadrons, 6 Bomber Squadrons and I G.R. Squadron with the object of making a front in Burma should the Japanese campaign against Malaya prove successful. On the 14th December I left England. I met the Commander-in-Chief in India, General Sir Archibald Wavell, and the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Air Marshal Sir Patrick Playfair, on the 28th December in Delhi, where the land and air situations were explained to me.

Notes:-

¹ General Waveil's despatch appears as a supplementary London Gazette No 38228 of the 11th March, 1948

DESPATCH

 PART I - AIR SITUATION ON MY ARRIVAL IN BURMA AND CONSEQUENT REQUEST FOR REINFORCEMENT

 PART II - STRENGTH AND EQUIPMENT OF THE JAPANESE AIR FORCE ENGAGED IN BURMA

 PART III - THE AIR SUPERIORITY BATTLE OVER RANGOON

 PART IV - THE LAND BATTLE—AIR OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE ARMY IN TENASSERIM.

 PART V - AIR OPERATIONS COVERING THE EVACUATION OF RANGOON.

 PART VI - AIR OPERATIONS COVERING WITHDRAWAL UP THE PROME ROAD.

 PART VII - REVERSE INFLICTED ON MIXED WING AT MAGWE

 PART IX.—CONCLUSION

LONDON

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S  STATIONERY OFFICE

To be purchased directly from H M  Stationery Office at the following addresses

York House, Kingsway, London, W C 2 , 13a Castle Street, Edinburgh, 2 ,

39-41 King Street, Manchester, 2 , 1 St Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff ,

Tower Lane, Bristol, 1 , 80 Chichester Street, Belfast

OR  THROUGH  ANY BOOKSELLER

I948

Price 1s 0d net

Code No. 65-38229