Jeep Carrying Halifaxes in India

[AndrewClark]

Hi all

I've seen a photo of these and just wondered if anyone knows which unit they belonged to and where the photo might have been taken. No code letters or serials are visible..

TIA

Andrew

[PeterColwill]

298 Squadron with Halifax A.VII operating I believe out of India
Peter

[AndrewClark]

Many thanks Peter, that is very helpful and I will pursue this line of enquiry.

Coincidentally I've now learned that No. 1577 (Airborne Experimental) Flight was based at Chaklala at around this time - so that is another possibility. I think I still need to do a lot of work on this!

Cheers & thanks again.

Andrew

[SimonG]

298 Squadron carried out jeep dropping at various times during their time in India. I think the first we’re in Feb 1946 when the squadron had a six aircraft detachment at Chaklala for airborne forces training. After this they carried out a few more during exercises. I

I think I refer to it in my book Rapid Rundown but am on holiday so don’t have access to my research in any detail. I do have photos of the squadron aircraft at home including at least one with a jeep.

Simon

[AndrewClark]

Many thanks, Simon, that is very useful information and I would be grateful if you are able to tell me more after your holiday. In the meantime, enjoy yourself. Thanks again, Andrew

[Alex Smart]

Maybe of some use to you ?
Halifax Mk VII's used by 298 Sqdn according to the AB Serial Numbers series.
Sadly however it does not indicate which ones were 'A''s :(
PN series
243,244,245,254,256,257,258,259,260,261,263,264,
265,266,267,285,289,290,292.
PP series
364,372.
NA series
310,311,320,341,343,344,345,347,350,352,354,355,
356,357,392,393,394,395,397,400,401,402,403,404,
408,409,416,444.
Alex

[Graham Boak]

The PN series is shown in Merrick as a mixed batch, but given the role of the unit they seem most likely to be As. Perhaps there is more in the Air Britain The Halifax File. NA310 isn't in Merrick. Those in the NA and PP series are all A.Mk.VIIs

[Alex Smart]

Hi Graham,
Yes NA310 -298 then 1665 CU. according to AB' NA100-NZ999.
Alex

[AndrewClark]

Thanks, Alex and Graham, for this useful bakground. Please pardon my ignorance, but would the jeep-carrying variant be an A.MkVII? Also, would an aircraft carrying a jeep also carry a bomb load? One photo shows a jeep hanging beneath the aircraft and another showing part of a bomb load -I'm thinking 'surely these photos are of different aircraft' but stand to be corrected.............

[SimonG]

Hi,

On arrival in India 298 Squadron was employed as a general transport squadron carrying passengers and freight around India and beyond. As part of this, the squadron bomb aimers and gunners were removed from their roles although some remained on aircrew as pursers. At this point the Halifax’s had their armour plate, bomb racks and rear guns removed.
In Jan 1946, the squadron returned to the airborne support role regaining the bomb aimers and gunners (although not numb equipment) and beginning airborne training with a detachment at Chaklala. This included glider towing and the first jeep drops.
In March to May, the squadron was focused on operation Hunger Two - rice dropping in famine hit areas of Burma. Here they dropped 6000lbs of ri e from the under fuselage pannier before landing and discharging another 6000lbs from the fuselage.
Airborne trading restarted in June, including a jeep dropping exercise ((three jeeps) at Samungli. In July, the squadron was reddish aged again as a bomber/airborne support unit. This corresponded with a reduction in available aircraft from 30 to 12, of which eight were allocated to bombing training and four to airborne support. There were a few jeep drops after this but the main focus was exercise Hill Party in December 1946 when the squadron acted as heavy bombers. After it’s conclusion the squadron rapidly disbanded.
In answer to your question, 298 did drop gliders and bombs - three basic external fit outs for the Halifax VII, first with under fuselage pannier, second no pannier, bomb bay doors removed for jeep fit, third bomb bay doors fitted as normal.