| Operations in Burma |
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.
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.
Further Reading:
Lysanders to Hurricanes
A Tiger pilot remembers
| Pilots play cards during time off between sorties. OD Agnihotri is standing on the left with a knife on his belt. The 'A' Flight Commander, Homi Ratnagar is squatting on the ground third from right. The pilot sitting directly in front of OD is Roshan Lal Suri |  |
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'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. |
| 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. |  |
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'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. |
| 'Myself on patrol. Arakan Jungles' - A Hurricane IIc being flown by OD Agnihotri over the dense jungles of the Arakan. |  |
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c.1945 Ramree Island, No.2 Squadron had the honour of hosting Air Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park, Allied Air Officer Commanding in Chief of Air Command South East Asia, during his visit to the front line. Sir Park, who was famous for his role in commanding the RAF fighters in the Battle of Britian, took over as AOC ACSEA in February 1945, coming in from the middle east. So these photographs were probably taken between March and April 1945. Here, Air Marshal Park is received by Homi Ratnagar, who was the officiating CO of 2 Squadron. (The CO Jaswant Singh being on leave) |
| Air Marshal Park is shown the 'Machette' which formed the regular kit of the fighter pilots. |  |
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Pilots of No.2 Squadron line up to meet the AOC. OD Agnihotri is standing on the right side of the line. Can anyone identify the others? |
| The officiating CO HS Ratnagar introduces the pilots of No.2 Squadron to Air Marshal Park. |  |
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Having a chat with the boys. Park calls together an informal sitting with the pilots at Ramree Island |
| The work horses - Hurricane IIc fighter bombers being guarded by a sentry. |  |
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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 |
| An Army GLO briefs a pilot returning from a sortie. Roshan Suri is in the center, others look on.. |  |
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Pilots signing the authorization book on return from a photo recce sortie in 'A' Flight. |
 PIX - The four page photo supplement of the 'RIAF Journal' 1945 can be downloaded by clicking on the photo on left. The file is in PDF Format. |
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