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Episode I: Malaya at peace - A country for old men
This is the true, amazing and funny tale of the Malaya Campaign and it´s most unusal heroes.
In mid-April 1939 Group Captain(ret.) Sir Miles Browning, DSO, DSC is reactivated, promoted to Air Commodore(=AC) and made head of the newly established Malaya Department of the RAF´s Far East Command(RAF-FEC-MD). AC Browning is told his great experience and familiarity with the region made him the first choice. Being Canadian, but nevertheless literate in British understatement he knows that means: “We need all, the good ones for the real war, let´s give this backwater to some dinosaur.” Like 59 year old Sir Miles, who retired in 1931 and went on to sell British and American aircraft in Asia. First mainly civilian planes, but later he was doing a lot of business for Curtiss in China, where he got to see the Japanese military in action first hand and to this day he is reminded of it whenever the weather changes or someone scratches his lower back(=butt).
His new command is most unimpressive: Two squadrons of Vildebeests, one with Singapore III flying boats, few and small airfields, weekend warrior pilots in Harts and Audaxas and the communications are even worse than early warning. But since any war will be fought in Europe, the sorry state of the RAF-MD is more cause for action, than alarm. Thus the priorities are:
-construction and improvement of airfields.
-improvement of command, control and communications
-intensified training of Straits Settlements Volunteer Air Force(SSVAF) pilots
-procurement of additional planes
Fortunately there are reinforcements coming quickly: On August 7 and 12 two squadrons of Blenheim I bombers arrive, two more follow in September. The war at the other end of the world is not troubling anyone in Malaya; the closest possible enemy is Japan and they need to get past French Indo-China(FIC). Not that anyone expects the Japanese to take on two major powers, while they are bogged down in China.
All told 1939 ends good for RAF-MD: They now have four squadrons of fast, light bombers, good long range recon capabilities(SingaporeIII) and limited anti shipping capability. The airfields have their runways widened and drainage is installed, dispersal areas are prepared.
3C and early warning remains poor and modern fighters are absent.
1940 however starts bad and keeps getting worse.
In February 230 Sqn. and their flying boats leave for Alexandria, followed in April by half the Blenheims and another two month later Italy has declared war, France has fallen and FIC is Vichy controlled. Now AC Browning feels there is reason to be alarmed. It will only be a matter of time before the Japanese make a move and stopping them will take a lot more than the two dozen Lockheed Hudsons and 18 Wirraways the Australians are sending.
AC Browning makes an urgent request for more of anything, warning the Japanese will soon put pressure on FIC and the UK and at least demand to close the supply lines to the Chinese.
The morning after receiving the answer Sir miles wakes up in his office with his head resting on the desk, a huge headache and sees and empty bottle of Scotch on top of what appears to be London’s answer to his request for three fighter squadrons(preferably one with Spitfires), one light and two medium bomber squadrons(Blenheim/Wellington), a squadron of long range recon planes(Sunderlands/Singapores) and Beauforts for his two torpedo bombers squadrons. Plus radar sets, modern AA-guns(40mm and 3.7inch), radios sets and first and foremost personnel with combat experience.
Reading the documents is literally sobering, but his headache gets worse: Absolutely nothing of what he wants is available!
After taking a shower Sir Miles barks at his adjutant to round up the staff and the COs, EXECs of the squadrons, order his favourite Chinese food and get another bottle of Scotch – it will be a long day.
After the Japanese invasion of northern FIC in September 1940 another request for warplanes is made. For Hawker Harts, Hinds, Furys, Sharks, Baffins, Gladiators and Wellesleys. The surprised superiors are puzzled at the request of obsolete aircraft. They are being told the planes are mostly for training, basic trainers no one will miss when they get damaged in accidents, but actually RAF-MD has different intentions. By now it has become clear that Malaya has mot a low, but a “no”-priority and everybody is worried unless they get something, they will ends up fighting with nothing. And once that conclusion has been reached it is a process of elimination. Since no modern planes are available, RAF-MD has to make do with obsolescent and obsolete aircraft.
Airfield construction goes into overdrive. No more are there a few hours of work done in the morning, followed by a long pause and a few more working hours in the evening. Now it´s “diggin for dusk till dawn”.
The civilian flying clubs and the SSVAF are merged into the new Malaya Volunteer Air Force(MVAF). Most of it´s “active” pilots are not eligible for combat operations by RAF standards due to their age, but RAF-MD has no choice as skilled personnel are as short as modern equipment.
And one of the most unusual recon units is formed: 1st Patrol Sqn. The unit is equipped with … yachts! Sir Miles has called on member of yacht clubs to join and armed with binoculars and radios sail into the South China Sea between Malaya and FIC and report air and naval activities. The members- mostly older gentlemen, many with a military background are delighted someone is tapping into their skill and experience and got to work most enthusiastically, not knowing that AC Browning has very different motives for enlisting them.
One decision take at “The Conference” was to start an off-the-books operation to get what is needed. Instead of sending reinforcements London took away SSVAFs Harts and Audaxes for use in the East African Campaign, which made AC Browning announce that the command should consider itself at war! At war with the thieving “bastard bureaucrats of Britain” So a procurement operation is started that circumvents, bends and breaks the rules, like administrative shanghaiing of experienced personnel who travel through Malaya. They suddenly find themselves transferred to a Malayan unit instead of going back to Europe or the Med. As the shanghaiing goes and in hand with generous “for the duration”-promotions, the victims hardly put up an resistance.
But what Malaya really needs is a “good old boys”-network that works for them and the Yacht clubs are a key part in it. It´s members are politically, economically and militarily well connected. AC Browning, his staff officers and squadron commanders keep close in ouch with 1st Patrol Sqn´s men, who thus come to see the many shortages and suddenly stuff starts appearing: radios for the com network, 3inch AA-guns from India, even BoB-veterans on official duty.
When 1940 closes RAF-MD feels the situation is slowly improving.
A major breakthrough has been made on the intelligence front. After the USA confiscated as batch of plane sold to the Royal Thai Air Force/RTAF), the Thais have purchased a number of Ki-30 and even a few Ki-21 from Japan. Knowing that the Thai military as divided about weather to support or to oppose Japan, AC Browning contacts a few friends he made in the RTAF when he worked as a sales representative for Curtiss-Wright selling them Hawk II and III fighters. The Thai officers are more than willing to supply Curtiss-Wright technicians with most detailed information about the Japanese planes. As Curtiss made aircraft and engines are in use in Thailand, DEI and Malaya their frequent travels don´t arise any suspicions and soon RAF-MD has both planes manuals at hand. … And does not like at all what they find in them. So an American MVAF pilot poses as a C&W employee and travels with others to Thailand where he is given the opportunity to take a flight with both bombers. The impact of his report can not be overestimated. So far AC Browning’s efforts to convince his subordinates of the Japanese capabilities have been met with intense scepticism, but after half a dozen high ranking officer had been relieved on the spot, the RAF´s personnel at least took the “Old Man´s” wrath serious. As one of their buddies now tells them that everything they have heard about the Ki-21 so far was rather an understatement, attitudes began to change.
The volunteer pilots have been subjected to relentless training – the number of biplanes lost to accidents dropped considerably in the last three month of the years. The MVAF has also become a part of the Empire Air Training Programm and starts to turn out “actual” combat pilots – some of whom are kept “off the books” and thus in Malaya. London even promised to send Fairy Battles and Miles Masters for advanced training.
25 airfields have been mostly completed, all feature wide runways -17 have all weather concrete ones- spacious dispersal areas with camouflaged shelters for individual planes and over half even have underground fuel tanks. All buildings are surrounded 5 feet high with a wall of earth for blast and shrapnel protection. AAA is adequate. Given the lack of protection of Japanese planes large numbers of water cooled Cal.30 and some Cal.50 Vickers machine guns are considered effective anti-strafer weapons. 40mm Bofors guns for low and medium altitudes are still very short in supply, but they are coming forward through official channels. The semi-official acquisition of 3inch guns is going well. That way attacking airplanes can be targeted up to an altitude of 20,000 feet. AC Browning knows the Japanese can hit a target from this high up, be not even they can tell the difference from a real plane or building and a dummy from up there.
Thanks to the mobile radio trucks and advice from the UK´s fighter command the 3C-system is now working smoothly and swiftly. One radar station called AMES for security reasons is already operational in Singapore.
Aircraft are still short.
On top of the two Blenheim Squadrons and two with Hudsons only an under strength recon Sqn. with Avro Ansons is operational. Torpedo bombers are 30 Vildebeests, 6 Sharks.12 Wirrayways and 11 Hectors complete RAF-MDs bomber arm.
While technically obsolete or obsolescent the pilots have faith in their skill and their planes. The Battle of Taranto showed the value old planes can have under the right circumstances and changes and tactics are designed to make it right. Speed it the best protection bombers have, so level bombing, glide bombing is trained. Even a shallow glide allows the Blenheims to pick up a lot of speed and thus make them hard to intercept. The Hudsons are field modified into torpedo bombers.
The picture the fighters are presenting is less bright.
6 Hawker Furys and 9 Gladiators are all three is. While the fighter pilots are well trained enough to take on the current generation of Japanese fighters(Ki-27, A5M), speed is a huge problem. Twin engine bombers like the G3M and Ki-21 are known to be faster than anything RAF-MD has. If only Malaya would be as fortunate as the Philippines who just received 48 actual fighters(P-35A).
Fortunately 1941 starts well and keeps getting better and better. At least as far as airplane acquisitions go.
In January the Battles and Masters arrive. Enough planes for two Squadrons each. Half the Battles and Masters sent to the RAF to form an additional light bomber and one fighter Squadron. At the suggestion of a former FAA Sea Skua pilot dive bombing tactics are tested with the Battles. Furthermore the quite fast planes(by Malaya standards) are turned into Ersatz-fighters by installing four additional forward firing machine guns. The following month “official” reinforcements arrive in form of 21.Sqn. with Blenheim IF “fighter”-bombers.
RAF-MDs bomber strength has just increased by 50% and it´s sort-of fighter strength more than doubled. At that is just the beginning, official requests, private complaints and the end of the critical phase of the East African Campaign trigger an inflow of obsolescent biplane bombers. First to arrive are 17 Sharks from New Zealand. Phased out by the RN in 37 they were sold to NZ where they were about the be scrapped. They are followed by more and more biplanes like the much sought after Harts and Hinds.
But the most valuable addition to RAF-MDs fighting strength was the arrival of the first true fighters in March: the Brewster Buffalo. Originally a navy fighter the Model 339 is the de navalized version. The plane is everything Malaya wanted since September 1939, a fast, well armed and well protected fighter. Obviously not that well made, but the RAF´s mechanics have climbed higher hurdles. Speaking of mechanics, they too used to be in short supply but the MVAF neatly solved this problem. Many candidates had been turned back by the RAF as the were a bit too tall, too short, to fat, too whatever. So when when “the word” had been spread, they came from all over the Commonwealth and the globe. On top of many Americans, the MVAF has Spanish(Republican), White Russian, two Chinese and even a Frenchman from FIC in its ranks. As applicants quickly outnumbered available planes, candidates were offered jobs as mechanics until further aircraft can be made available. The same offer was made to those actually unfit for military aviation and it was taken by almost all men.
The transition from Masters to Buffalos was proceeding smoothly and swiftly, when serious problems arose. In a full power climb the engines quickly overheat and spewed oil. And absolutely nobody could explain it. The engines were installed by Brewster, but all the mistakes Brewster’s workers made had been corrected. The engines itself are Wright Cyclones, which power a wide range of military and civilian airplanes all over the world –including the Hudsons -and are know to be very reliable. Just like C&W is known for high quality design and manufacturing. It is suspected that the reason is the use of reconditioned civilian Cyclones, but C&W reps and mechanics alike disagree. That job had been done well.
So with a sigh and a shrug the doubled climb time is accepted and over the loud protests of the civilian government more radar stations are moved north to ensure sufficient warning time. AVM Browning reminds the pilots, that: "England won´t give us the super Spitfires, no matter how hard you wish for them. In spite of the lower speed and the poor climb rate, we can get all right with Buffaloes out here. They are quite good enough for Malaya, provided you guys use the appropriate tactics."
A bright spot are the Kestrel powered Miles Masters. An MVAF pilot remembers something he rad in an aviation magazine years ago and with the help of two resourceful Sergeants he goes to work to increase the engine power. The results exceed the wildest expectations. The 750hp version makes 285 mph.
On the negative side PM Winston Churchill promises Josef Stalin 200 Hurricanes and 200 P-40B in August 1941. After hearing that the recently promoted Vice Air Marshall Browning uses the PM´s photo for dart practice! In public!
Equally troubling is some intel a friend of his is sending from China. Claire Chennault provides information on the next generation of Japanese fighters(A6M, Ki-43) that causes great scepticism first and considerable concern later as they remember how they previously misjudged intel on japanese bombers like the Ki-21.
Two critical decisions were taken that summer that should greatly influence the outcome of the war. The first one concerned alleged indiscipline in the Patrol Boat units. Recon pilots reported the Yachts cruising outside their assigned search areas and on a visit to the Yacht club of Malacca AVM Browning raised the issue, only to find himself on the wrong end of a severe shitstorm! One member suggest the “insolent youngster” –that would be 60 year old Browning to be keelhauled. At which point he realized just how dumb he was! Even the 30 somethings have been sailing longer in these waters that most airplanes crews are alive and plenty of the old guys have been in the RN or merchant marine for decades. What are the chances of some 20 year old navigating better than these guys? It is put to a test. RAF crews are to conduct mock intercepts of RN vessels.
When the results came into AVM Browning’s office a torrent of English, American, Chinese, Thai and Yiddish curses came back out! The Old Man is furious; each time the flyboys have reported utterly wrong positions and also misidentified ship classes. When they were told to look for a CL they reported finding one, even though it was just a sloop or destroyer. After apologizing to the female secretaries, he rushed to his personal Audax to relieve the imbeciles. But his staff stops him in time. As they point out the crews are highly skilled in any regard, but this one and if they get fired there is no one to replace them!
AVM Browning sees the logic, but the matter still needs to be resolved. Recon is crucial for Malaya´s defence. He retreats to his offices with a bottle of scrotch to think of something.
Ten days later the CO of 1.RAAF Sqn. Storms into the office of the 243 Sqn´s CO. Immensely pissed off he he ues some colourful expressions to make his displeasure of 243 Sqn known. His counterpart just grins and swears he and his men had nothing to do with it, although they would love to take credit, for this is a prank of historical dimensions. The kind of thing you tell your grandkids about. 1.RAAF Sqn CO storms out and when no one else on the Airfield claims responsibility he reluctantly pick up the phone and calls HQ, still convinced someone played a bad joke. To his surprise he is connected the the Old Man himself, who confirms it is no joke. He has send him new navigators and observers “to accompany 1 RAAF´s planes” on routine search flights.
So icily the CO welcome eight men from Patrol Boat Sqns 1 and 2: The youngest of which is 47, the oldest 62 and all are happy as a baby in a playpen for having the opportunity to get into modern bombers. At the time the action cause a lot of laughter, but in December 1941 it should have far reaching consequences. Just like another “crazy idea” of AVM Browning.
The German invasion of the Low Countries and Norway made the world aware of the potential of airborne landings. Initially the airmen have been given a short “how to dig a trench and fire a rifle” course, but after the loss of Crete RAF-MD sees the need to improve airfield security by adding full time infantry. As the RAF´s infantry experts –retired infantry officers- point out that is not possible. Infantry needs to conduct a wide range of operation, including offensive and defensive mobile operations. Something a unit can not learn in a few month unless it has a high number of veterans. Who are not around! But luckily the RAF does not need actual infantry, but fortress troops. Soldiers who just need to be able to defend an prepared position, conduction no manoeuvre more complicated that a platoon size counterattack to retake a lost trench. And that one can learn quickly, provided one can come up with the necessary manpower. While getting volunteers for the prestigious post as pilots is easy, finding someone who wants to serve as a glorified night watchman will be harder.
Fortunately it turn out to be less difficult. ACM Browning has always been bewildered by the indifference of the local Chinese population (2,2 million) to the threat from Japan. The Japanese are committing the most horrifying war crimes in china on a daily basis and the local Chinese fail to see there is a mutual interest in keeping the Japanese out.
So with the help of his Chinese mistress he begins to polish his …. language skills and confers with local Chinese leaders, who are more than bewildered to have a white devil request their help … in pretty good Chinese of all things. The conservative community leaders are not convinced, but ACM Browning efforts are accompanied by those of Christian missionaries who have lived in China and at least the young men start to listen. Enough to join the MVAF Airfield Defence Units by the hundreds.
So where does this leave us on the eve of war:
The personnel situation is fine. Active RAF aircrews are well trained, the MVAF is in remarkable shape too.
Airfields have improved further. All first class airfields(22 out of 36) have concrete runways, at least 8*3inch guns and 6*40mm gun to defend them. Kotha Baru is the best defended with four batteries with 3inch guns and three with Bofors.
Ten radar stations are operational, three more are under construction.
Now to the warplanes(OTL numbers in brackets)
Brewster Buffalo: 60+52(same)
Blenheim I, IF and IV: 57+15 reserve planes, +8 detached from Burma for gunnery training(same)
Lockheed Hudson: 24+7(same)
Vickers Vildebeest: 40+16 (29+12)
Miles Master: 24+9(none)
Fairy Battle: 28+16(none)
CAC Wiraway: 18+8(8)
Avro Anson: 11+3(none)
PBY Catalina: 5
Blackburn Shark: 6(same)
Blackburn Baffin: 12+3(none)
Gloster Gladiator: 12+5(none)
Hawker Fury: 6+3(none)
Bristol Beaufort: 6 unarmed and unarmoured planes (same)
Fairy Swordfish and Albacore: 8/5(same)
Hart, Hind, Hector: appx. 30+12(none)
What will the future bring? That you will learn in Episode II “Malaya at war: The Empire strikes!”
This is the true, amazing and funny tale of the Malaya Campaign and it´s most unusal heroes.
In mid-April 1939 Group Captain(ret.) Sir Miles Browning, DSO, DSC is reactivated, promoted to Air Commodore(=AC) and made head of the newly established Malaya Department of the RAF´s Far East Command(RAF-FEC-MD). AC Browning is told his great experience and familiarity with the region made him the first choice. Being Canadian, but nevertheless literate in British understatement he knows that means: “We need all, the good ones for the real war, let´s give this backwater to some dinosaur.” Like 59 year old Sir Miles, who retired in 1931 and went on to sell British and American aircraft in Asia. First mainly civilian planes, but later he was doing a lot of business for Curtiss in China, where he got to see the Japanese military in action first hand and to this day he is reminded of it whenever the weather changes or someone scratches his lower back(=butt).
His new command is most unimpressive: Two squadrons of Vildebeests, one with Singapore III flying boats, few and small airfields, weekend warrior pilots in Harts and Audaxas and the communications are even worse than early warning. But since any war will be fought in Europe, the sorry state of the RAF-MD is more cause for action, than alarm. Thus the priorities are:
-construction and improvement of airfields.
-improvement of command, control and communications
-intensified training of Straits Settlements Volunteer Air Force(SSVAF) pilots
-procurement of additional planes
Fortunately there are reinforcements coming quickly: On August 7 and 12 two squadrons of Blenheim I bombers arrive, two more follow in September. The war at the other end of the world is not troubling anyone in Malaya; the closest possible enemy is Japan and they need to get past French Indo-China(FIC). Not that anyone expects the Japanese to take on two major powers, while they are bogged down in China.
All told 1939 ends good for RAF-MD: They now have four squadrons of fast, light bombers, good long range recon capabilities(SingaporeIII) and limited anti shipping capability. The airfields have their runways widened and drainage is installed, dispersal areas are prepared.
3C and early warning remains poor and modern fighters are absent.
1940 however starts bad and keeps getting worse.
In February 230 Sqn. and their flying boats leave for Alexandria, followed in April by half the Blenheims and another two month later Italy has declared war, France has fallen and FIC is Vichy controlled. Now AC Browning feels there is reason to be alarmed. It will only be a matter of time before the Japanese make a move and stopping them will take a lot more than the two dozen Lockheed Hudsons and 18 Wirraways the Australians are sending.
AC Browning makes an urgent request for more of anything, warning the Japanese will soon put pressure on FIC and the UK and at least demand to close the supply lines to the Chinese.
The morning after receiving the answer Sir miles wakes up in his office with his head resting on the desk, a huge headache and sees and empty bottle of Scotch on top of what appears to be London’s answer to his request for three fighter squadrons(preferably one with Spitfires), one light and two medium bomber squadrons(Blenheim/Wellington), a squadron of long range recon planes(Sunderlands/Singapores) and Beauforts for his two torpedo bombers squadrons. Plus radar sets, modern AA-guns(40mm and 3.7inch), radios sets and first and foremost personnel with combat experience.
Reading the documents is literally sobering, but his headache gets worse: Absolutely nothing of what he wants is available!
After taking a shower Sir Miles barks at his adjutant to round up the staff and the COs, EXECs of the squadrons, order his favourite Chinese food and get another bottle of Scotch – it will be a long day.
After the Japanese invasion of northern FIC in September 1940 another request for warplanes is made. For Hawker Harts, Hinds, Furys, Sharks, Baffins, Gladiators and Wellesleys. The surprised superiors are puzzled at the request of obsolete aircraft. They are being told the planes are mostly for training, basic trainers no one will miss when they get damaged in accidents, but actually RAF-MD has different intentions. By now it has become clear that Malaya has mot a low, but a “no”-priority and everybody is worried unless they get something, they will ends up fighting with nothing. And once that conclusion has been reached it is a process of elimination. Since no modern planes are available, RAF-MD has to make do with obsolescent and obsolete aircraft.
Airfield construction goes into overdrive. No more are there a few hours of work done in the morning, followed by a long pause and a few more working hours in the evening. Now it´s “diggin for dusk till dawn”.
The civilian flying clubs and the SSVAF are merged into the new Malaya Volunteer Air Force(MVAF). Most of it´s “active” pilots are not eligible for combat operations by RAF standards due to their age, but RAF-MD has no choice as skilled personnel are as short as modern equipment.
And one of the most unusual recon units is formed: 1st Patrol Sqn. The unit is equipped with … yachts! Sir Miles has called on member of yacht clubs to join and armed with binoculars and radios sail into the South China Sea between Malaya and FIC and report air and naval activities. The members- mostly older gentlemen, many with a military background are delighted someone is tapping into their skill and experience and got to work most enthusiastically, not knowing that AC Browning has very different motives for enlisting them.
One decision take at “The Conference” was to start an off-the-books operation to get what is needed. Instead of sending reinforcements London took away SSVAFs Harts and Audaxes for use in the East African Campaign, which made AC Browning announce that the command should consider itself at war! At war with the thieving “bastard bureaucrats of Britain” So a procurement operation is started that circumvents, bends and breaks the rules, like administrative shanghaiing of experienced personnel who travel through Malaya. They suddenly find themselves transferred to a Malayan unit instead of going back to Europe or the Med. As the shanghaiing goes and in hand with generous “for the duration”-promotions, the victims hardly put up an resistance.
But what Malaya really needs is a “good old boys”-network that works for them and the Yacht clubs are a key part in it. It´s members are politically, economically and militarily well connected. AC Browning, his staff officers and squadron commanders keep close in ouch with 1st Patrol Sqn´s men, who thus come to see the many shortages and suddenly stuff starts appearing: radios for the com network, 3inch AA-guns from India, even BoB-veterans on official duty.
When 1940 closes RAF-MD feels the situation is slowly improving.
A major breakthrough has been made on the intelligence front. After the USA confiscated as batch of plane sold to the Royal Thai Air Force/RTAF), the Thais have purchased a number of Ki-30 and even a few Ki-21 from Japan. Knowing that the Thai military as divided about weather to support or to oppose Japan, AC Browning contacts a few friends he made in the RTAF when he worked as a sales representative for Curtiss-Wright selling them Hawk II and III fighters. The Thai officers are more than willing to supply Curtiss-Wright technicians with most detailed information about the Japanese planes. As Curtiss made aircraft and engines are in use in Thailand, DEI and Malaya their frequent travels don´t arise any suspicions and soon RAF-MD has both planes manuals at hand. … And does not like at all what they find in them. So an American MVAF pilot poses as a C&W employee and travels with others to Thailand where he is given the opportunity to take a flight with both bombers. The impact of his report can not be overestimated. So far AC Browning’s efforts to convince his subordinates of the Japanese capabilities have been met with intense scepticism, but after half a dozen high ranking officer had been relieved on the spot, the RAF´s personnel at least took the “Old Man´s” wrath serious. As one of their buddies now tells them that everything they have heard about the Ki-21 so far was rather an understatement, attitudes began to change.
The volunteer pilots have been subjected to relentless training – the number of biplanes lost to accidents dropped considerably in the last three month of the years. The MVAF has also become a part of the Empire Air Training Programm and starts to turn out “actual” combat pilots – some of whom are kept “off the books” and thus in Malaya. London even promised to send Fairy Battles and Miles Masters for advanced training.
25 airfields have been mostly completed, all feature wide runways -17 have all weather concrete ones- spacious dispersal areas with camouflaged shelters for individual planes and over half even have underground fuel tanks. All buildings are surrounded 5 feet high with a wall of earth for blast and shrapnel protection. AAA is adequate. Given the lack of protection of Japanese planes large numbers of water cooled Cal.30 and some Cal.50 Vickers machine guns are considered effective anti-strafer weapons. 40mm Bofors guns for low and medium altitudes are still very short in supply, but they are coming forward through official channels. The semi-official acquisition of 3inch guns is going well. That way attacking airplanes can be targeted up to an altitude of 20,000 feet. AC Browning knows the Japanese can hit a target from this high up, be not even they can tell the difference from a real plane or building and a dummy from up there.
Thanks to the mobile radio trucks and advice from the UK´s fighter command the 3C-system is now working smoothly and swiftly. One radar station called AMES for security reasons is already operational in Singapore.
Aircraft are still short.
On top of the two Blenheim Squadrons and two with Hudsons only an under strength recon Sqn. with Avro Ansons is operational. Torpedo bombers are 30 Vildebeests, 6 Sharks.12 Wirrayways and 11 Hectors complete RAF-MDs bomber arm.
While technically obsolete or obsolescent the pilots have faith in their skill and their planes. The Battle of Taranto showed the value old planes can have under the right circumstances and changes and tactics are designed to make it right. Speed it the best protection bombers have, so level bombing, glide bombing is trained. Even a shallow glide allows the Blenheims to pick up a lot of speed and thus make them hard to intercept. The Hudsons are field modified into torpedo bombers.
The picture the fighters are presenting is less bright.
6 Hawker Furys and 9 Gladiators are all three is. While the fighter pilots are well trained enough to take on the current generation of Japanese fighters(Ki-27, A5M), speed is a huge problem. Twin engine bombers like the G3M and Ki-21 are known to be faster than anything RAF-MD has. If only Malaya would be as fortunate as the Philippines who just received 48 actual fighters(P-35A).
Fortunately 1941 starts well and keeps getting better and better. At least as far as airplane acquisitions go.
In January the Battles and Masters arrive. Enough planes for two Squadrons each. Half the Battles and Masters sent to the RAF to form an additional light bomber and one fighter Squadron. At the suggestion of a former FAA Sea Skua pilot dive bombing tactics are tested with the Battles. Furthermore the quite fast planes(by Malaya standards) are turned into Ersatz-fighters by installing four additional forward firing machine guns. The following month “official” reinforcements arrive in form of 21.Sqn. with Blenheim IF “fighter”-bombers.
RAF-MDs bomber strength has just increased by 50% and it´s sort-of fighter strength more than doubled. At that is just the beginning, official requests, private complaints and the end of the critical phase of the East African Campaign trigger an inflow of obsolescent biplane bombers. First to arrive are 17 Sharks from New Zealand. Phased out by the RN in 37 they were sold to NZ where they were about the be scrapped. They are followed by more and more biplanes like the much sought after Harts and Hinds.
But the most valuable addition to RAF-MDs fighting strength was the arrival of the first true fighters in March: the Brewster Buffalo. Originally a navy fighter the Model 339 is the de navalized version. The plane is everything Malaya wanted since September 1939, a fast, well armed and well protected fighter. Obviously not that well made, but the RAF´s mechanics have climbed higher hurdles. Speaking of mechanics, they too used to be in short supply but the MVAF neatly solved this problem. Many candidates had been turned back by the RAF as the were a bit too tall, too short, to fat, too whatever. So when when “the word” had been spread, they came from all over the Commonwealth and the globe. On top of many Americans, the MVAF has Spanish(Republican), White Russian, two Chinese and even a Frenchman from FIC in its ranks. As applicants quickly outnumbered available planes, candidates were offered jobs as mechanics until further aircraft can be made available. The same offer was made to those actually unfit for military aviation and it was taken by almost all men.
The transition from Masters to Buffalos was proceeding smoothly and swiftly, when serious problems arose. In a full power climb the engines quickly overheat and spewed oil. And absolutely nobody could explain it. The engines were installed by Brewster, but all the mistakes Brewster’s workers made had been corrected. The engines itself are Wright Cyclones, which power a wide range of military and civilian airplanes all over the world –including the Hudsons -and are know to be very reliable. Just like C&W is known for high quality design and manufacturing. It is suspected that the reason is the use of reconditioned civilian Cyclones, but C&W reps and mechanics alike disagree. That job had been done well.
So with a sigh and a shrug the doubled climb time is accepted and over the loud protests of the civilian government more radar stations are moved north to ensure sufficient warning time. AVM Browning reminds the pilots, that: "England won´t give us the super Spitfires, no matter how hard you wish for them. In spite of the lower speed and the poor climb rate, we can get all right with Buffaloes out here. They are quite good enough for Malaya, provided you guys use the appropriate tactics."
A bright spot are the Kestrel powered Miles Masters. An MVAF pilot remembers something he rad in an aviation magazine years ago and with the help of two resourceful Sergeants he goes to work to increase the engine power. The results exceed the wildest expectations. The 750hp version makes 285 mph.
On the negative side PM Winston Churchill promises Josef Stalin 200 Hurricanes and 200 P-40B in August 1941. After hearing that the recently promoted Vice Air Marshall Browning uses the PM´s photo for dart practice! In public!
Equally troubling is some intel a friend of his is sending from China. Claire Chennault provides information on the next generation of Japanese fighters(A6M, Ki-43) that causes great scepticism first and considerable concern later as they remember how they previously misjudged intel on japanese bombers like the Ki-21.
Two critical decisions were taken that summer that should greatly influence the outcome of the war. The first one concerned alleged indiscipline in the Patrol Boat units. Recon pilots reported the Yachts cruising outside their assigned search areas and on a visit to the Yacht club of Malacca AVM Browning raised the issue, only to find himself on the wrong end of a severe shitstorm! One member suggest the “insolent youngster” –that would be 60 year old Browning to be keelhauled. At which point he realized just how dumb he was! Even the 30 somethings have been sailing longer in these waters that most airplanes crews are alive and plenty of the old guys have been in the RN or merchant marine for decades. What are the chances of some 20 year old navigating better than these guys? It is put to a test. RAF crews are to conduct mock intercepts of RN vessels.
When the results came into AVM Browning’s office a torrent of English, American, Chinese, Thai and Yiddish curses came back out! The Old Man is furious; each time the flyboys have reported utterly wrong positions and also misidentified ship classes. When they were told to look for a CL they reported finding one, even though it was just a sloop or destroyer. After apologizing to the female secretaries, he rushed to his personal Audax to relieve the imbeciles. But his staff stops him in time. As they point out the crews are highly skilled in any regard, but this one and if they get fired there is no one to replace them!
AVM Browning sees the logic, but the matter still needs to be resolved. Recon is crucial for Malaya´s defence. He retreats to his offices with a bottle of scrotch to think of something.
Ten days later the CO of 1.RAAF Sqn. Storms into the office of the 243 Sqn´s CO. Immensely pissed off he he ues some colourful expressions to make his displeasure of 243 Sqn known. His counterpart just grins and swears he and his men had nothing to do with it, although they would love to take credit, for this is a prank of historical dimensions. The kind of thing you tell your grandkids about. 1.RAAF Sqn CO storms out and when no one else on the Airfield claims responsibility he reluctantly pick up the phone and calls HQ, still convinced someone played a bad joke. To his surprise he is connected the the Old Man himself, who confirms it is no joke. He has send him new navigators and observers “to accompany 1 RAAF´s planes” on routine search flights.
So icily the CO welcome eight men from Patrol Boat Sqns 1 and 2: The youngest of which is 47, the oldest 62 and all are happy as a baby in a playpen for having the opportunity to get into modern bombers. At the time the action cause a lot of laughter, but in December 1941 it should have far reaching consequences. Just like another “crazy idea” of AVM Browning.
The German invasion of the Low Countries and Norway made the world aware of the potential of airborne landings. Initially the airmen have been given a short “how to dig a trench and fire a rifle” course, but after the loss of Crete RAF-MD sees the need to improve airfield security by adding full time infantry. As the RAF´s infantry experts –retired infantry officers- point out that is not possible. Infantry needs to conduct a wide range of operation, including offensive and defensive mobile operations. Something a unit can not learn in a few month unless it has a high number of veterans. Who are not around! But luckily the RAF does not need actual infantry, but fortress troops. Soldiers who just need to be able to defend an prepared position, conduction no manoeuvre more complicated that a platoon size counterattack to retake a lost trench. And that one can learn quickly, provided one can come up with the necessary manpower. While getting volunteers for the prestigious post as pilots is easy, finding someone who wants to serve as a glorified night watchman will be harder.
Fortunately it turn out to be less difficult. ACM Browning has always been bewildered by the indifference of the local Chinese population (2,2 million) to the threat from Japan. The Japanese are committing the most horrifying war crimes in china on a daily basis and the local Chinese fail to see there is a mutual interest in keeping the Japanese out.
So with the help of his Chinese mistress he begins to polish his …. language skills and confers with local Chinese leaders, who are more than bewildered to have a white devil request their help … in pretty good Chinese of all things. The conservative community leaders are not convinced, but ACM Browning efforts are accompanied by those of Christian missionaries who have lived in China and at least the young men start to listen. Enough to join the MVAF Airfield Defence Units by the hundreds.
So where does this leave us on the eve of war:
The personnel situation is fine. Active RAF aircrews are well trained, the MVAF is in remarkable shape too.
Airfields have improved further. All first class airfields(22 out of 36) have concrete runways, at least 8*3inch guns and 6*40mm gun to defend them. Kotha Baru is the best defended with four batteries with 3inch guns and three with Bofors.
Ten radar stations are operational, three more are under construction.
Now to the warplanes(OTL numbers in brackets)
Brewster Buffalo: 60+52(same)
Blenheim I, IF and IV: 57+15 reserve planes, +8 detached from Burma for gunnery training(same)
Lockheed Hudson: 24+7(same)
Vickers Vildebeest: 40+16 (29+12)
Miles Master: 24+9(none)
Fairy Battle: 28+16(none)
CAC Wiraway: 18+8(8)
Avro Anson: 11+3(none)
PBY Catalina: 5
Blackburn Shark: 6(same)
Blackburn Baffin: 12+3(none)
Gloster Gladiator: 12+5(none)
Hawker Fury: 6+3(none)
Bristol Beaufort: 6 unarmed and unarmoured planes (same)
Fairy Swordfish and Albacore: 8/5(same)
Hart, Hind, Hector: appx. 30+12(none)
What will the future bring? That you will learn in Episode II “Malaya at war: The Empire strikes!”
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