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. Beretter om de allierede flyver-esser, der under 2. verdenskrig fløj Spitfire-jagerfly i fjernøsten og stillehavsområdet