Bombing areas in Rangoon and Mandalay

[Mikkel Plannthin]

I am researching the Danish air bombardier J T Bruun of 356 Sqn. During the spring of 1945 he participates in a number of bombings of areas of Rangoon and Mandalay.

In the ORB these are often referred to as "area 'A'" or supply "dump 'A'", B or numbered. E.g. Dump B at Victoria Lake bombed on 9 March 1945.

Is it possible to find references for these target indications?

Regards

Mikkel

[Matt Poole]

Hi, Mikkel,

It's been a couple of months since your plea for info, but I have some scribbled notes from a visit to the National Archives at Kew which might be of help to you. They're only quickly-jotted notes, so they would have to be investigated further at Kew...and I live in America and can't get there!

AIR 23/4055 Rangoon: Interpretation & Bomb Damage Assessment Reports

Some air photocopies (not glossies)

Numerous maps & photomaps.

Lists of hutted camps and dumps

Folded photo mosaic of Rangoon - 1 April '45. Damage plot with % damage.

Summaries of specific Rangoon facilities damaged during specific phases.

Index to Aerial Photographs of Rangoon -- many ID's of features. Some great stuff on Rangoon.

++++++++++++++++++++++++
AIR 23/4056 -- More bomb damage assessment reports for Rangoon.

A section of air photos. Some repeats of things from 4055.

Many specific photo damage maps -- specific raids.

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SEAC Combined Photo Interpretation Centre. Interpretation & bomb damage assessment reports, Burma:

RANGOON area:

AIR 23/4055 ('45): Rangoon
4056 ('44-'45): Rangoon
4058 ('43-'45): Rangoon Airfields
4060 ('43-'45): Docks
4062 ('43-'45): Dumps
4067 ('44-'45): Hutted camps
4071: ('44-'45) Rangoon, military area.

+++++++++++++++++++++
AIR 23/4592. Lots of target map info.

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AIR 24/1300: July '44. Whole volume - individual target dossiers, including Rangoon, Heho, Moulmein, Hlegu, Mingaladon. Treasure trove, all in 1 volume.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

And that's it, I'm afraid. Just cryptic notes, but perhaps you can find someone to peruse some of these files at Kew, and maybe the dumps bombed on 9 March '45 will be in there somewhere.

Best of luck,

Matt

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Matt
Thank you for thinking about me at Kew. I am sure these files hold what I'am looking for.

Mikkel

[Matt Poole]

Hi, Mikkel,

It is tantalizing -- we know these files hold wonderful materials, but it take an effort to get there to investigate in person. I do hope you succeed in finding exactly what you seek, regarding J.T. Bruun's targets.

Regards,

Matt

[Jagan]

Matt,

Would you know as to approx how many pages would each volume be?

Jagan

[Matt Poole]

Hi, Jagan,

No, I'm sorry. These are just files -- clumps of documents gathered together, each probably in one folder. It was 1998 when I scribbled my notes, and I just don't know more than I typed. A tantalizing bunch of documents, though!

Cheers,

Matt

[John French]

I am researching the Danish air in ombardier J T Bruun of 356 Sqn. During the spring of 1945 he participates in a number of bombings of areas of Rangoon and Mandalay.

In the ORB these are often referred to as "area 'A'" or supply "dump 'A'", B or numbered. E.g. Dump B at Victoria Lake bombed on 9 March 1945.

Is it possible to find references for these target indications?

Regards

Mikkel

Hallo Mikkel, I am currently researching my father's service in 356 sdn (Sgt John E French W/OP/gunner) and have a number of bombing photos, which I will be investigating at the National Archives, Kew over the next few months. If I see any reference to J T Bruun, I will let you know. If you, or any other reader finds anything on J E French, I would appreciate a post.

John French

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Hello John, thank you. I have the 356 Sqn ORB, which refer to him in the period 44-45. If you do not have this, I'll have a look for your father. When were he posted to/from 356 Squadron?

Mikkel

[John French]

Hello John, thank you. I have the 356 Sqn ORB, which refer to him in the period 44-45. If you do not have this, I'll have a look for your father. When were he posted to/from 356 Squadron?

Mikkel

Hallo Mikkel, from dad's personnel effects I have identified that he was posted overseas in August 1944, he was posted to the Cocos Island and was de-mobilised in July 1946. Photo-reconnaissance photos suggested he was in 356 Squadron, but it is good to have confirmation.

Is the 356 Sqn. ORB the same as that available in AIR27 documents in the National Archive, which I used to trace his European tour of duty? If so, an indication of which months he was flying would help for when I visit.

Thanks

John

[John French]

Mikkel, thanks for that confirmation of his serving in 356 Squadron. As I said I only had indirect evidence that he was serving on operations from a series of bombing photos labelled 356 squadron. His medical clearance for overseas was shown in his Airmen's Service Book in August 1944. The Air Force list of September 1944 shows his promotion to Pilot Officer in the Wireless Operator list, so I assume he was on operations at that time in 356 Squadron. We had some photos indicating he served on the Cocos Islands, presumably with 356 Squadron, but after that I only have a clearance certificate dated July 7 1946 from No.104 PDO Dispersal Centre.

I would appreciate further details of his service from the 356 Squadron ORB.

Thanks

John