| Accession Number | P02284.021 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Smith, Norman |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Burma, c. 1945-07. A Westland Lysander IIIA of No. 357 Special Duties (SD) Squadron RAF rests on ...
Description
Burma, c. 1945-07. A Westland Lysander IIIA of No. 357 Special Duties (SD) Squadron RAF rests on a makeshift landing strip at a remote Karen hill village, as two RAF aircrew and a crowd of villagers stand on either side of the aircraft. This and another Lysander have brought supplies to members of Force 136 based in the village which is located close to Japanese-held territory. The local subunit of Force 136 is commanded by Captain Trofilov MC (not in view). Because of the long round-trip the aircraft has to make, it has an auxiliary fuel tank attached to the underside of its fuselage. In the foreground, strips of bamboo have been laid on the landing strip to enable aircraft to get some grip with their wheels in wet conditions. Force 136 was a guerrilla unit that reported on the movements of Japanese forces and harrassed them whenever possible. (Donor W. Mulford) (Original negative held in AWM Archive Store)