Bombing of South-East Asia (1944–1945)

From 1944 to 1945, during the final stage of World War II, the Allies undertook the strategic bombing of South-East Asia. The main targets of Allied air raids were Thailand and Japanese-occupied Indochina.

Royal Navy operations

By 1944, the German Navy no longer presented a major threat and the Royal Navy was able to transfer major units to the Far East. This would fulfil a British wish to become involved in the Pacific War. First, however, experience was required of large-scale naval air operations and of United States procedures. To this end and to degrade Japanese capabilities, attacks were made on Indonesian oil installations, some in concert with the American carrier, USS Saratoga.

Cockpit – BEF Sabang Raid 19/04/44

Transom – BEF Surabaya Raid 17/05/44

BEF Port Blair, Andaman Is. Raid 19/06/44

Crimson – BEF Sabang Raid 25/07/44 – Somerville Force

Mullet – Nicobar Islands Bombardment

Robson – BPF Pangkalan Brandan Raid 20/11/44

Lentil – Pangkalan Brandan Raid 04/01/45

Meridian – Palembang Raid Meridian One 24/01/45, Meridian Two 29/01/45

Sunfish – Sabang Bombardment April 1945

Bishop – BPF Covering Operation for Rangoon Landing x Penang 15/05/45

Indochina bombing campaign

Because colonial French Indochina remained loyal to the Vichy government and made numerous concessions to Japan, including allow Japanese troops, ships and airplanes to be stationed in Cochinchina, the Allies targeted industrial and military facilities in neutral Indochina beginning in 1942. In this the Allies were aided by a young French naval officer, Robert Meynier, who, beginning in May 1943, organised a network of informants in the bureaucracy of French Indochina. Before the collapse of the network in mid-1944 it managed to provide information on bombing targets, Japanese troops whereabouts and fortifications.