75th anniversary VJ Day 2020
The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’
The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’
The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’
My father George Douglas Whitfield served in the RAF from July 1940 – April 1946. Most of this, until his return to the UK in April 1946 was in Burma and India with the RAF supporting the Burma Campaign..
The Fourteenth Army, known to many as ‘The Forgotten Army’, numbered over one million men under arms, the largest Commonwealth army ever assembled. Air lines of communication were crucial: some 615,000 tons of supplies and 315,000 reinforcements were airlifted to and from the front line, frequently by parachuted air drops, and 210,000 casualties were evacuated. The Royal Air Force and the Indian Air Force, supported by carrier-borne Fleet Air Arm aircraft, provided constant offensive bombing sorties, together with fighter cover and essential photo-reconnaissance in support of the Army. Towards the end of the War, RAF Liberator aircraft carried out some of the longest operations ever flown to drop mines into the Pacific. At sea, the Royal Navy and the Royal Indian Navy provided the landing craft, the minesweeping operations and the combined operations necessary for the coastal offensive in the Arakan, as well as providing gunfire support from seaward. The Royal Marine Commando, as well as Royal Marines from the units of the Fleet, took part in the Arakan operations.
The Japanese surrendered on 15 August 1945, now known as VJ Day.
Chris Whitfield
(Ardleigh Parish Councillor)
Tendring Memorial Service
The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’
The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’
A memorial service covering the whole of Tendring was held virtually on Saturday 15 August just before 11am. To watch it, please click the link below
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Cllr Chris Whitfield
The Burma Campaign 1942 -1945 ‘The Forgotten Army’
Cllr Chris Whitfield
Cllr Chris Whitfield whose father George Douglas Whitfield serviced in Burma & India from 1940-1945
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Cllr Chris Whitfield
VE75 FRIDAY 8th MAY, 2020- SuGGESTED informal events in our
11am
Two minutes' silence on our doorsteps
1pm
Picnic Lunch outside our homes
3.00pm
National Toast and Churchill speech broadcast
6pm
Sing-along to war time songs (amplified music on Colchester Road but please stay at home)
9pm
The Queen and Vera Lynn 'We'll meet again' on the BBC
SATURDAY 9th MAY 2020- cancelled
12 noon - Parade of Vehicles-cancelled
Starts from Prettyfields Vineyard in Dead Lane
We have gathered together a wonderful collection of WWII vehicles, vintage tractors, cars and motor-bikes
12.20am - Walking Parade- cancelled
Joins at the rear of the vehicle parade from the school playground.
We hope to have a brass band leading this part of the parade.
All welcome - dress appropriately: 1940’s garb or red/white/blue; bring your wheelbarrows if you like.
‘Winstonion Churchill’ will be present!
1.00pm - Party on the Recreation Ground & Millennium Green- cancelled
(parking for disabled only)
- Hog roast and other food available
- Cake stall & ice-cream van
- Full bar, Prettyfields wine tasting, Coffee to Combat
Some of the activities we hope to be there:
- ‘Mad Bounce’ bouncy castles
- Penalty shoot-out, quick cricket, bowling
- Fancy dress competition
- Face painting; music from 1940's and later
- Debbie Millar & dancers
- Assault course challenge
- SRC’s digger challenge
- Stour Valley Organic Lavender, Horticultural Society
- Candle-making, painting stones, cribbage, junk modelling
- 1940s vintage clothing, walking sticks stall
SUNDAY 10th May, 2020
There will be a VE75 themed church service for Dedham and Ardleigh Parishes available online on the following link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtpxpLp854CdAKzTdnbWuQw
Other events planned for Sunday including celebration concert and memorial have been cancelled