Page 6 - Harry Brittain

Records show that this squadron had on charge the Lockheed Hudson VI, which from May of
1943 was being replaced by the Douglas Dakota, the final Hudson leaving the squadron in the
September of 1943, so Harry would have maintained the Hudson’s engines. In September 1943
the squadron was reclassified as an Airborne Forces Squadron, and its transport role was taken
over by No.353 Squadron. The next few months were spent training in the new role, before the
squadron moved to the Burma front in January 1944. No.194 Squadron then began paratroop
training at this time and in February 1944 began air dropping supplies to the Chindit army units
that had been deployed behind Japanese lines in Northern Burma.
This is the link to the Chindit Campaign.

Chindit Campaign

On Harry’s service record there is mention of No. 4434 Independent Anti-Aircraft Flight, a unit of
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the Royal Air Force Regiment, Harry being with this Flight from 29 September 1943 for an
unspecified period. It is probable that as the Japanese at this period where approaching the
India/Burma border, they would start attacking port facilities and RAF airfields in India. Their
military planning being the invasion of India and its occupation by Japanese forces
their final objective.
Records indicate Harry was admitted to the British Military Hospital (BMH) Rawalpindi on the 8 th
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December 1943, being discharged on the 14 December 1943. The Service Record shows Harry
going into hospital twice in December, this looks to be a clerical error. The reason for Harry being
admitted not being recorded. (The Webmasters late Uncle, a Lancaster Wireless Operator having
completed 32 Main Force operations with 576 Squadron, volunteered for a second tour of duty
with Tiger Force in May 1945 and he soon after arriving in India contracted Malaria, so its possible
Harry also contracted this disease).
In February 1944 the Japanese began their last major offensive in Burma, the attack that led to the
battles of Kohima and Imphal. No.194 Squadron immediately switched to supply dropping duties,
flying 291 sorties in February, 426 in March and 452 in April. Most of the sorties in February were
flown over the Arakan, but in March the squadron played a major part in the Allied victory at Imphal
by flying the 5th Indian Division into Imphal (alongside American transport aircraft withdrawn from
the supply route to China). In April the squadron flew fighter aircraft and supplies into Imphal and
casualties out. In May it was partially rested, alternating with crews from Wellington squadrons, but
in June an impressive total of 941 sorties were flow, with most still around Imphal. A similar pace
was maintained in August, before the squadron was given three months rest.

In January 1945 the squadron was given a flight of Stinson Sentinels for casualty evacuation from
small jungle airstrips. In the same month it evacuated 529 casualties, as well as carrying over
eight million lbs. of supplies. The squadron was also tasked to support the British breakthrough at
Meiktela, and the attack on Rangoon. Activity peaked in July with 1,396 sorties, an impressive 45
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per day. 194 Squadron occupied the former Japanese airfield of Akyab, Burma from the 19
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March to the 21 August 1945, supporting the British army as it ejected Japanese forces from
Burmese soil.
From August 1945 to February 1946 the squadron moved further into Burma and stationed at the
recently liberated airfield of Mingaladon, Burma.

After the end of hostilities, the squadron provided general transport services in the Far East, and
especially around Bangkok, as well as flying liberated POWs on the first stage of their journey
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home. No.194 squadron was disbanded on 15 February 1946.