Hi all: This is my first posting on your forum. I recently found a photo of a C-47/Dakota which had been rammed by a 'Zero' and had a large part of the upper fuselage torn open. The a/c managed to RTB but the Jap fighter went down. It looks like an RAF fin-flash on the tail-fin, so a Brit Dakota by the look of it. Location was Burma and year 1944, but NFD. Can anyone enlarge on the date, unit, etc., of this incident ? TIA, BC1
Found a reference to it however no details. The C-47 was used extensively in Burma, with the aircraft providing supply for Orde Wingate's Chindit commandos operating behind enemy lines during the winter of 1942:1943. Other C-47s flew the Hump from India to China and back, carrying a total of 590,000 tonnes (650,000 tons) of supplies in all. These flights were often difficult due to severe winds, weather, and deep cold temperatures, not to mention enemy action. During one of these flights, a C-47 was attacked by a Japanese Nakajima Ki-43 Oscar fighter. The lightly armed Oscar was not able to fatally damage the sturdy C-47, and either in clumsiness or suicidal determination the fighter actually rammed the transport. The Oscar lost a wing and fell to earth. The C-47, with a great hole torn in its roof, returned to base.
Spidge, many thanks. Another great battle-damage picture sadly lacking in detail. I am putting together pictures of crippled/shot-up aircraft 1914-date for a slide-show, and I particularly wanted to find out a few more facts on this one. Do you know if there is a DC 3/C-47 Dakota site where I could go fishing for gen on this one ? Thanks again, anyway. BC1
That is the only reference I could find however Kyt my be able to draw on his resources to effect a better result. By the way, tell us a bit more about yourself and if you would, how you found us. (We are doing a bit of research)
It's not a picture that I recognise but I haven't had a chance to look through my books yet. It certainly looks like a RAF aircraft and if it is then it probaly belonged to one of the following squadrons that were operating Daks at this time: No 31 Squadron No 52 Squadron No 62 Squadron No 194 Squadron No 353 Squadron No 357 Squadron No 688 Squadron Howver, ther are a couple of other units that were suing a variety of aircraft, including the Dak that Ihaven't listed. Give me a little time for some searching. However, if you wish you could try posting on Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum - Powered by vBulletin who have somemembers with a good knowledge of Daks and may recognise the picture. There are others who also have lists of Japanese losses who could cross-reference.
Spidge and Kyt, again, many thanks. I am 50 years old, live in Suffolk, UK, and have had a lifelong interest in (principally) WW 2 air war history. For 29 years I was actively involved with a local aviation museum, and was very heavily into 'Wreckology' and in particular, the associated research into the various crashes in East Anglia. I am now a Trustee of another local museum which covers military history in the area. I do (35mm) slide-shows to raise funds for the two local groups I'm involved with, and I am currently researching pictures of crippled/shot-up aircraft, from 1914 to date for a new show with the title On A Wing And A Prayer.It was in connection with this that I found the C-47 picture. I like facts and attention to detail, so I thought I'd ask you guys when I saw a ref to your site on the TOCH (12 O'Clock High) forum, and here we are. Archive-wise, I have a fairly extensive listing of the aircraft which came down in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk 1939-45, I also research general details of enemy action, V-1s V-2s etc., in this area of the UK, so if feel free to direct any queries in this area to me. I obviously cannot guarantee a 100% comprehensive answer every time, but am always glad to help others out where I can. Best wishes, Bob Collis
Welcome again Bob, Quite an interesting CV and glad you found our Forum. I met another member of the forum in Melbourne today to have a look at the Moorabbin airport museum which is very small on international standards. They now have a good parts of a Lincoln which I will leave Andy to elaborate on and a few others I will post for identification. (before Andy gets back to his computer) View attachment 1138 View attachment 1139 View attachment 1140 I am cataloguing all RAAF deaths during WW2 (10,836), their "postings at death" and accumulating photos of each headstone or memorial of the brave lads and WRAAF's around the world. They are in 1066 cemeteries in 65 countries. With East Anglia, they are in 10 cemeteries in Norfolk, 6 in Suffolk and if you still count Cambridgeshire there are 5 and Essex, there are 4. Overall in the UK there are 2,773 burials/memorials in 256 cemeteries/memorials. Look forward to some interesting accounts.
Hi BC1 After playing around with the picture and enlarging it, I can say that it's not RAF but USAAF. The US star insignia is clearly visibble, and what looked like RAF fin marking is infact a "1" in what looks like a diamond. I shall start looking through the MACR reports to see if anything pops up
I've had a quick gander at CBI Unit Lineages and History hoping that the nose art may pertain to a unit marking but no luck. The "1" may be linked to the 1st Air Commando. What's intriguing is the lack of aircraft serial number on the fin. Either the wartime censor has been at it or I'm missing something. A couple of Dakota sites mention the incident but without serial, unit or original reference :noidea: :frusty:
