BharatRakshak Indian Air Force| No.2 Sqn - Camp Akyab and Ramree Island

No.2 Sqn - Camp Akyab and Ramree Island

The Third Arakan campaign (Arakan Offensive) in Burma started in earnest in December 1944. The objective was to capture the Mayu Peninsula, Akyab and Ramree Island, which would provide forward airfields for the support of Fourteenth Army in their thrust into Central Burma. The theatre saw the highest number of IAF squadrons in action at any time, a total of six squadrons being committed for this purpose. One of the squadrons that had moved to the area was No.2 Squadron, which had moved to Mambur airstrip near Cox's Bazaar by land towards the end of November 1944.

From 23rd November 1944, when they arrived at Mambur airstrip, till 17 May 1945, when their tour ended, the squadron was involved in flying fighter recce missions. The task of the squadron was to collect information on Japanese activity by either visual observation or photographic means.

During this time, 'A' Flight of the squadron took part in Ramree Island invasion and provided considerable support. The Flight had moved to Akyab, while 'B' Flight remained in he Kangaw area.

During the time No.2 Squadron's 'A' Flight spent at Akyab, the living conditions were harsh, as it was elsewhere. Pilots would make do with tented accomodation and mosquito bites.

After four and a half months, No.2 Squadron was moved back from the front. Starting their move on 15th May from Akyab, the pilots flew their battle-tested and worn-out Hurricanes all the way across the sub-continent, from Akyab to Kohat, staging through Hazarpore, Alipor, Ranchi, Gaya, Allahabad, Kanpur , Delhi and Lahore. They reached Kohat on May 22nd for a well-deserved rest.

Date: 07/14/2015

Owner: Webmaster

Size: 24 items

OD at Akyab - 1945?

OD at the Camp - in jungle uniform and pistol cord round his neck.

Date: 07/14/2015

Card Time on the front!

Pilots play cards during time off between sorties. OD Agnihotri (IND/1991) is standing on the left with a knife on his belt. The 'A' Flight Commander, Homi Ratnagar (IND/1588) is squatting on the ground third from right. The pilot sitting directly in fron

Date: 07/14/2015

More Cards

Pilots relaxing by playing cards in the evening, makeshift drums as stools! CO Jaswant Singh is in the background watching on. BBK Rao directly facing the camera.

Date: 07/14/2015

Pin-ups for the Squadron

'Doc' Ghosh, the Squadron Medical Officer checks out a pin-up drawing by the 'Squadron Artist' Plt Offr A K Sen (EQPT) .

Date: 07/14/2015

Fg Offr A.K. Ganguly

Fg Offr A.K. Ganguly in 1943, Ganguly would later command Halwara AFS (8 Wing) in the 50s as a wing commander.

Date: 07/14/2015

Hurricane flown by OD Agnihotri

This photograph, a scan from an original WW2 'RIAF Journal' Magazine (can be downloaded at bottom of page) shows a Hurricane II being flown by OD Agnihotri. OD had marked 'Mein' in hindi over the cockpit.

Date: 07/14/2015

Flt Lt Y V Malse with ground crew

'B' Flight commander, Flt Lt Yeshwant Malse chats with other pilots, while a ground crew member works with the oblique camera of the Hurricane. This Hurricane is believed to be LD174.

Date: 07/14/2015

'Myself on patrol. Arakan Jungles'

'Myself on patrol. Arakan Jungles' - A Hurricane IIc being flown by OD Agnihotri over the dense jungles of the Arakan.

Date: 07/14/2015

'Our Types' - No.2 Squadron pilots

'Our Types' - No.2 Squadron pilots on the Burma Front. Another similar photo can be seen in this page. OD Agnihotri is standing second from left. W J Fernandes to his right with his hands hanging from he cannon. H S Ratnagar on the wingroot on the right.

Date: 07/14/2015

Hurricanes under Guard

The work horses - Hurricane IIc fighter bombers being guarded by a sentry.

Date: 07/14/2015

Fg Offr Salahauddin

Fg Offr Salahauddin of No.2 Squadron poses by the huge 20mm Hispano cannons of the Hurri. Note the bomb ranks under the wings. The photo is marked "Sally" - a nickname for Salahauddin

Date: 07/14/2015

'My tent in Akyab. Samne mera saathi Doctor F/Lt. Ghose hai'

Date: 07/14/2015

Malik Hasan and Suri

Three of the pilots of No.2 Squadron. The photograph has the names Malik, Hassan and Suri , without giving the first names. Suri is ofcourse Roshan Lal Suri, who would be the famed test pilot later on in IAF service.

Date: 07/14/2015