RAF Operation Record Books for Thai-Burma Railway

Hello all

I am attempting to identify which RAF Squadrons were involved in bombing the Thai Burma Railway in late 1944 and then 1945.

This will allow me to then search their Operations Record books in AIR27 at TNA to see detailed records of specific bombing missions which were hitting trains in this period (and affecting Allied POWs on those trains). I have dates and places of bombing incidents, but no knowledge of which Allied planes were involved (which I am hoping will be RAF and not USAF as those records are likely at NARA).

Does anyone have an idea of where to start with this? I am not looking for the bombing of the 'Bridge over the River Kwai' in Kanchanaburi, but instead specific instances of train bombings up and down the line.

Furthermore, does anyone know where statements given by POWs about these bombings might be located?

Thank you

 

Hello Andrew

For a good overview of the air war over Burma and the surrounding area from a RAF/USAAF prespective I would recommend Chris Shores "Air War over Burma" published by Grub Street in 2005. Although print copies are expensive nowadays it is available on kindle too for much more reasonable prices:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Air-War-B...East-ebook/dp/B00AM1T8C8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

It has a good amount of information about the period you are interested in as well as a daily summary of operations and several complete orders of battle for the Allied units at various times.

I have a kindle copy and note that locations in Thailand receive numerous mentions according to the index.

Good luck with your research.

 

Thanks so much - will get that book and see where it leads me.

 

Andrew,

You might want to touch base with forum member, Matt Poole. https://ww2talk.com/index.php?members/matt-poole.1547/

He has done extensive research into SEAC bombing operations.

Regards,

Dave

 

Thanks Dave - will do

 

Andrewe,

Your topic and area are not my focus. Caveat aside. Would it help to identify when Photo-Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) flights id pre- and post-bombing flights? I spotted a reference to PRU flights over European POW camps last week. See Post 12 in: 1885074 John Allan MacGregor R.E. - service records help