Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific

by Thomas, Andrew; Davey, Chris

• ISBN13: 9781846034220
• ISBN10: 1846034221
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-03-19
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

The Spitfire was the most iconic British fighter of World War 2, and it was rushed to the defence of northern Australia following the commencement of Japanese air raids. Once these attacks had been blunted, RAAF Spitfire VCs supported the advance through the East Indies. When deployed to India in 1943, the Spitfires made an immediate impact in the defence of Calcutta and over Bengal. In the skies over the crucial battle of Imphal in 1944, RAF Spitfire VCs wrested air superiority from the Japanese while flying in support of the second expedition by the famous Chindits. The aircraft also helped the Allies maintain air superiority over, and provide fighter-bomber support to, the advance on Rangoon and the ultimate defeat of the enemy in Burma. From late 1943 the RAF and RAAF squadrons in Burma and the Pacific were equipped with Spitfire VIIIs, which was assessed as the finest of all the Merlin-engined Spitfire variants. During these campaigns, no fewer than 54 aces flew Spitfires against the Japanese over India, Burma and Australia.

Author Biography

Andrew Thomas is one of Britain's most pre-eminent RAF researchers, having published numerous squadron histories. He is presently a serving officer in the RAF.

Table of Contents

The Churchill Wing	p. 6
Defending Darwin	p. 9
Above the Arakan	p. 27
Imphal to Rangoon	p. 41
In the East Indies	p. 73
Endgame in Borneo	p. 84
Appendices	p. 88
Colour Plates Commentary	p. 91
Bibliography	p. 95
Index	p. 96
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.