The Japanese Army Air Force's invasion of Burma during 1941-42 was at first a huge success against the RAF who struggled to support the Chindit expedition on the ground. Yet the arrival of the Spitfire was to change the fortunes of the RAF and the outcome of the battle. Proving a huge boost to morale, the Spitfire played a large part in defeating the enemy and covering the subsequent Allied advance through Burma, protecting the ground troops and providing vital supplies. The arrival of Spitfire units at this crucial time also had an immediate effect in blunting enemy air raids on Calcutta and along the coast of East Bengal, whilst in Northern Australia, the Spitfire was called upon to defend against surprise raids by the Japanese. Covering the little documented aerial war over Burma, this book tells the stories of the 54 aces who flew against the Japanese, and also those who fought in India and Australia. Full-color artwork reveals the markings and paint schemes of this most-famous of British planes, whilst first-hand accounts and archive photographs bring the aerial battles of Burma, India and Australia to life.
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"Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific by Andrew Thomas provides a good look at Spitfires and their pilots in some of the less publicized actions of WWII... The book describes 54 aces through the usual Osprey blend of good text, archival photos, and well-rendered color profiles." - Air Classics (September 2009)
"...a comprehensive history of the elite fighter pilots and the aircrafts that they flew. Andrew Thomas is one of Britain’s leading RAF researchers..." -Wonderpedia
"...a comprehensive history of the elite fighter pilots and the aircrafts that they flew. Andrew Thomas is one of Britain’s leading RAF researchers..." -Wonderpedia
About the Author
Andrew Thomas is one of Britain's most pre-eminent RAF researchers, having published numerous squadron histories. He is presently a serving officer in the RAF.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spits Against the Rising Sun!,
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This review is from: Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific (Aircraft of the Aces) (Paperback)
Numerous RAAF and RAF squadrons, utilizing a variety of Spitfire models, saw combat over Australia, Burma and India in World War II. Given the limited opportunities for air combat in those theaters, only a handful of Spit pilots became aces. Andrew Thomas examines the combat ops flown by those pilots along with the Spitfire's overall contribution to victory in the Pacific in this interesting 2009 Osprey 'Aircraft of the Aces' volume, #87 in the series.
Though many aces flew Spits against the Japanese, only five, possibly seven pilots, made ace in the aircraft. First committed to action in early 1943 against the Japanese threat to Australia, No. 1 Fighter Wing - the so-called 'Churchill Wing' - had a mixed record. Though led by high-scoring ace Clive Caldwell, the unit found the learning curve high when faced by Zekes and Oscars, new and more effective tactics being needed. Likewise efforts by the Wing were plagued by equipment failures and the Spit's short range. Over Burma and India, some of these same problems were encountered by 80 Fighter Wing and other Spit units. Through the efforts of Wing Commander Frank Carey and his Air Fighting Training Unit, effective tactics were developed and disseminated to all units. 'Killer' Caldwell, by the way, had the best score with seven kills; Bob Cross had six. Other aces included Bob Day, Bill Gibbs and Bob Foster. Thomas does a good job of summarizing the role Spit units played in each theater. Though those units ended up logging many more ground attack missions than air combats, he presents a balanced - and exciting - account of their combat ops. Over 100 b&w photographs, many of them rare, compliment the text and Chris Davey contributes nine pages of well-done color profiles. In short, SPITFIRE ACES OF BURMA AND THE PACIFIC is an excellent adddition to the Osprey Aces series. It relates the little-known but vital contributions made by PTO and CBI Spitfire pilots and units in those far-flung locations. Recommended.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
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Dissapointment,
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This review is from: Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific (Aircraft of the Aces) (Paperback)
I am buying Osprey editions for several years and after this volume I have to admit that (in my oppinion) this is one of the worst editions ever.
After this book I went to check about the author and saw that he has written several others books as Beaufighter Aces and American Spitfire aces which are among the top five bad volumes from Osprey. Now I see that another book is coming and i feel just sorry because I have to buy it for my collection. I hope that such books and the hours waisted to read them will dissapear from Osprey once and forever.
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