656 Air Observation Post Squadron RAF

656 sqdn

 

Dec 42 Formed Westley, Suffolk, UK
Mar 43   Stapleford Tawney, Essex, UK
Sep 43 14 Army Worli, India
Oct 43 14 Army Deolali, India
Jan 44 14 Army Chota Maungnama, Burma (Myanmar)
Jun 44 For re-fit during monsoon season less B Flight Ranchi, India

Flight Locations post Monsoon

Squadron HQ

Jan 44 15 Corps Chota Maungnama, Burma (Myanmar)
Apr 44 33 Corps Dimapur, India
Oct 44 33 Corps Palel, Imphal, India

A Flight

Jan 44 5 Indian Division Chota Maungnama, Burma (Myanmar)
Apr 44 14 Army Bawli Bazar, Burma (Myanmar)
Jun 44 14 Army Ranchi, India
Oct 44 33 Corps Palel, Imphal, India
Nov 44 11 East African Brigade Yazagyo, Burma (Myanmar)
Nov 44 11 East African Brigade Honnaing, Burma (Myanmar)
Dec 44 11 East African Brigade Hpaungzeik, Burma (Myanmar)

B Flight

Jan 44 14 Army Juhu, India
Mar 44 4 Corps Imphal, India
Sep 44 14 Army Ranchi, India
Oct 44 4 Corps Imphal, India
Nov 44 4 Corps Pinbon, Burma (Myanmar)
Dec 44 4 Corps Kalemyo, Burma (Myanmar)

C Flight

Jan 44 7 Indian Division Chota Maungnama, Burma (Myanmar)
Apr 44 33 Corps Dimapur, India
Sep 44 25 Indian Division Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Nov 44 25 & 26 Indian Divisions
Commando Brigade
81 West African Division
Maungdaw, Burma (Myanmar)

By the beginning of 1945 the advance was starting to move out of the jungle and into the open plain around Mandalay. From here the flights supported the ground troops in their advance sometimes moving position on an almost daily basis. SHQ and the three Flights finally came together again at Mingladon airfield at Rangoon in May 1945.

In June 1945 the Squadron was withdrawn to Bombay to prepare for the re-capture of Malaya and Singapore. Although Japan surrendered before the invasion took place, the operation went ahead but with the landings unopposed. 565 Air Observation Post Squadron RAF thus ended their war in Malaya.

 

Jan 43 Tiger Moth 2
May 43 Auster 1 & 3
Oct 44 Auster 4
Feb 45 Auster 5

 

The Royal Artillery 1939-45