Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific (Aircraft of the Aces, 87)

The Japanese Army Air Force's invasion of Burma during 1941-42 was at first a huge success against the RAF who struggled to support the Chindit expedition on the ground. Yet the arrival of the Spitfire was to change the fortunes of the RAF and the outcome of the battle. Proving a huge boost to morale, the Spitfire played a large part in defeating the enemy and covering the subsequent Allied advance through Burma, protecting the ground troops and providing vital supplies. The arrival of Spitfire units at this crucial time also had an immediate effect in blunting enemy air raids on Calcutta and along the coast of East Bengal, whilst in Northern Australia, the Spitfire was called upon to defend against surprise raids by the Japanese. Covering the little documented aerial war over Burma, this book tells the stories of the 54 aces who flew against the Japanese, and also those who fought in India and Australia. Full-color artwork reveals the markings and paint schemes of this most-famous of British planes, whilst first-hand accounts and archive photographs bring the aerial battles of Burma, India and Australia to life. "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 Spitfie 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."--Back cover The arrival of the Spitfire in Burma came at a crucial time as the RAF struggled against the Japanese to support the Chindit operation on the ground. Proving a huge boost to morale, the Spitfire played a large part in defeating the enemy, and covering the subsequent Allied advance through Burma, protecting the ground troops and providing vital supplies. Covering this little documented aerial war, this book tells the stories of the 54 aces who flew against the Japanese, and also those who fought in India and Australia. Full-colour artwork reveals the markings and paint schemes of this most-famous of British planes, whilst first-hand accounts and archive photographs bring the aerial battles of Burma, India and Australia to life. History/Military/Aviation/WW2/Pacific COVER 1 CONTENTS 7 THE CHURCHILL WING 8 DEFENDING DARWIN 11 ABOVE THE ARAKAN 29 IMPHAL TO RANGOON 43 COLOUR PLATES 51 IN THE EAST INDIES 75 ENDGAME IN BORNEO 86 APPENDICES 90 Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific 90 Aces with some Spitfire Claims in Burma and the Pacific 90 Aces who flew Spitfires in Burma and the Pacific but made no Claims 91 Non-Ace Pilots with five or more Spitfire Claims in Burma and the Pacific 92 Non-Ace Spitfire Pilots in Burma and the Pacific with five or more Claims in total 92 COLOUR PLATES COMMENTARY 93 BIBLIOGRAPHY 97 INDEX 98 COVER 100 ISBN-10:,1846034221,ISBN-13:,9781846034220 ISBN-10: 1846034221,ISBN-13: 9781846034220 COVER......Page 1 CONTENTS......Page 7 THE CHURCHILL WING......Page 8 DEFENDING DARWIN......Page 11 ABOVE THE ARAKAN......Page 29 IMPHAL TO RANGOON......Page 43 COLOUR PLATES......Page 51 IN THE EAST INDIES......Page 75 ENDGAME IN BORNEO......Page 86 Aces with some Spitfire Claims in Burma and the Pacific......Page 90 Aces who flew Spitfires in Burma and the Pacific but made no Claims......Page 91 Non-Ace Spitfire Pilots in Burma and the Pacific with five or more Claims in total......Page 92 COLOUR PLATES COMMENTARY......Page 93 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 97 INDEX......Page 98 COVER......Page 100 Beretter om de allierede flyver-esser, der under 2. verdenskrig fløj Spitfire-jagerfly i fjernøsten og stillehavsområdet