R.A.F. IN BURMA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 2 August 1941, Page 5

R.A.F. IN BURMA

STRONG STRIKING FORCE NEW AERODROMES BUILT j MORE BUFFALO BOMBERS i Rec. 9.30 a.m.) Rugby. Aug. I , The Japanese occupation of IndoChina which brings Japanese arm- i e(1 forces to the eastern frontiers or India gives signiticance to the news that the R.A.F. in Burma has been strengthened by the arrival or considerable reinforcements. including American-built Brewster Buffalo multi-gun fighters, and that Burma, therefore, is now equipped for both offensive and defensive air action. During the past few months thousands of men and women have been constructing in the jungle aerodromes between the coast and the frontiers of China and Thailand, stretching from Lanhio and Upper Burma to the Mergui Archipelago in the south. These aerodromes are now completed. They are equipped with all-weather runways suitable to lake-oil fully loaded heavy bombers. Plant for the maintenance and repair of aircraft has been provided. Pilots and ground crews live in comfortable quarters, and fuel, bombs and ammunition are stored to meet all possible needs. The aerodromes are so located that they give Burma maxi mum protection against air and land attack from any quarter and give the R.A.F. advance bases from which to operate bomber squadrons. They ensure greater mobility for the R.A.F. in the Far East. .Should the war spread to Malaya Air Chief Marshal BrookePopham will be in a position to move squadrons to Burma in a few hours and have the forces located to the best advantage. Buffalo bombers have been arriving across the Pacific in increasing numbers in the past few months and have enabled fighter squadrons to be speedily formed. Pilots are full of praise for the potential fighting qualities of these aircraft. One pilot, a member of a famous Spitfire squaoTon throughout the Battle for Britain, said the Buffalo has amazing qualities of manoeuvrability, combines high speed with a fast rate of climb, and with multiple large calibre guns is an aircraft to