| Raf Third Tactical Air Force |
Article Index for Raf |
Website Links For Raf |
Information AboutRaf Third Tactical Air Force |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT RAF THIRD TACTICAL AIR FORCE | |
| 1943 establishments | |
| royal air force overseas commands | |
| third tactical air force | |
| military units and formations of the united kingdom in world war ii | |
|
It was first formed on 19 December 1943 designated the Tactical Air Force (Burma) and renamed as the Third TAF on 28 December 1943. Along with parts of the USAAF Tenth Air Force , it was subordinate to Joint Allied Eastern Air Command which was also formed in December 1943. As the Air Force was formed, it was felt that at last British forces could go over to the offensive against the Japanese in the Burma Campaign . A start was made towards establishing a general offensive in Arakan in early 1943, but this was forestalled by a Japanese offensive. The Japanese were decisively beaten, but they shifted the focus of their attack to central Burma. Third TAF gave sterling service to Fourteenth Army during the Battle Of Kohima and the Battle Of Imphal , strafing and bombing the besieging Japanese troops, often at very low level. After the defeat of the Japanese by Indian IV and XXXIII Corps in Assam , the monsoon intervened before many counterattacks could take place. After the enforced period of reduced operations, the Third TAF supported the advance of Fourteenth Army against the Japanese forces. However, command arrangement changes at the end of 1944 cutting short the life of the Third TAF. It was redesignated HQ RAF Bengal and Burma on 4 December 1944. The Third TAF had two commanders, Air Vice Marshal John Baldwin up until August 15 1944, and then Air Marshal Sir Alec Coryton . The Third TAF had two Groups: # No. 221 Group RAF supporting Indian IV Corps.
# No. 224 Group RAF ( commanding officer Air Commodore Alexander Gray ) supporting Indian XV Corps. In the 1943–44 campaigning season, this Group comprised:
SQUADRONS NOTES |
|
|