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Last Updated: Mon Jan 27 11:18:09 UTC 2014







  Operation Pharos
Cocos Islands 1944 - 1945

Photographic Essay APA-PE-2012-0103



by Dr Carlo Kopp, AFAIAA, SMIEEE, PEng
Text © 2012 Carlo Kopp
Photographic images and caption text © Imperial War Museum


A little known aspect of the history of Australia's Cocos (Keeling) Islands offshore territory in the Indian Ocean was the prominent role intended for it during the planned Operation Zipper, the joint invasion of South East Asia planned to retake Malaya, Singapore and the Dutch East Indies.

South East Asia Command (SEAC) planned to use the Cocos Islands as a Forward Strategic Operating Base from which the Royal Air Force could perform sea control using maritime aircraft, and launch high intensity strategic bombing raids using heavy bombers. In 1944 logistical and construction units of the XIVth Army landed on the islands and commenced the clearing of West Island and the construction of the Brown's West Island airfield, as part of Operation Pharos.

By June, 1945, 136 SQN equipped with Spitfire LF.VIII fighters achieved full readiness. They were followed by detached Mosquito PR.XXXIV photoreconnaissance aircraft of 684 SQN, and a full deployment of 231 Group Consolidated Vultee Liberator B.VI (B-24H) heavy bombers of 99 SQN and 356 SQN, with detached Liberator GR.VI (B-24G/H/J) and GR.VIII (B-24J) aircraft of 160 SQN and 203 SQN, and Catalinas and Liberator GR.VIs of 321 (Netherlands) SQN, in 222 Group, the latter tasked with maritime patrol and strike operations. The collapse of Japan pre-empted the full deployment of the remaining 231 Bomber Group's Liberator B.VI squadrons.

The Liberators were active during the last weeks of the war, attacking Japanese airfields and shipping, and following the cessation of hostilities, performed supply drops to Allied POWs, and later POW evacuation flights. After the war, Brown's West Island airfield was rebuilt into the current dual use airport on West Island.



NASA low orbit image of the Cocos Keeling Islands lagoon in 2009 (NASA).



Cocos (Keeling) Islands map (Central Intelligence Agency).


Map © 2012 Carlo Kopp




Cocos (Keeling) Islands flag (© 2012 Carlo Kopp).






136 SQN Royal Air Force



ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945
ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945© IWM (CF 682)

Spitfire Mk VIIIs and personnel of No.136 Squadron RAF lined up on a recently-laid PSP airstrip on Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands, in the Indian Ocean.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945© IWM (CF 687)

A new mainplane being fitted to a Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIII of No. 136 Squadron RAF on Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands, in the Indian Ocean. Behind it is a Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI of No. 99 Squadron RAF, also based on the Island.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1512)

A Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIII of No. 136 Squadron RAF prepares to taxy to its take off point on newly-finished airstrip at Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands. Other aircraft of the Squadron are being serviced in the background.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1507)

Indian Army engineers lay Perforated Steel Planking (PSP) on the new airstrip at Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands, while in the background the Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIIIs of No. 136 Squadron RAF are serviced, shortly after their arrival.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (SE 4162)

Men of the Indian Pioneer Corps and civilian workers engaged in the construction of the airstrip on Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands, pause to watch the first take off from the base, by Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIIIs of No. 136 Squadron RAF. 300 yards of the runway remained to be completed at the time.




684 SQN Royal Air Force


ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1544)

Long range De Havilland Mosquito PR Mark XXXIV, RG203 'E', of No. 684 Squadron RAF Detachment is towed into position for take off at Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands. Note the unusual camouflage with azure blue lower surfaces, and silver upper surfaces. Thirty eight sorties were flown by 684 SQN from the Cocos Islands. The PR.XXXIV variant carried additional fuel in a bulged bomb bay tank, yielding a combat radius of ~1500 NMI.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1546)

Leading Aircraftmen H Hindmarsh of Birtley, County Durham, and C Parrish of South Norwood, London, carry a 100-imperial gallon long-range fuel tank past De Havilland Mosquito PR Mark XXXIVs of No. 684 Squadron RAF Detachment, parked on bitumenised hard-standing at Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands

ROYAL AIR FORCE PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE MOSQUITO IN FLIGHT OVER BENGAL, MARCH 1945ROYAL AIR FORCE PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE MOSQUITO IN FLIGHT OVER BENGAL, MARCH 1945© IWM (TR 2788)

De Havilland Mosquito PR XVI, NS787M, of No 684 Squadron, Royal Air Force based at Alipore. The aircraft, piloted by Flight Lieutenant C G Andrews, a New Zealander, is carrying a 100-gallon auxiliary tank under each wing. The silver painted plane has dark blue SEAC bands.

AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE 1939-1945: DE HAVILLAND DH 98 MOSQUITO.AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE 1939-1945: DE HAVILLAND DH 98 MOSQUITO.© IWM (ATP 13464B)

Mosquito PR Mark 34, RG176, at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. This aircraft was to serve with No. 684 Squadron RAF in South-East Asia.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (IND 4040)

De Havilland Mosquito PR Mark XVI, NS688 'SNAKE', on the ground at Karachi, India, following a record-breaking flight from the United Kingdom. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant J Linton, and his navigator, Warrant Officer E J Goudie, covered the distance in an overall time of 16 hours 46 minutes, (with stops at El Adem, Libya, and Shaibah), to beat the existing record by 5 hours and 27 minutes. The flight was undertaken to test the practicability of RAF Transport Command using the Mosquito for a fast freight service between Britain and India. NS688 subsequently served as a photo-reconnaissance aircraft with No. 684 Squadron RAF in Burma.

AIRCRAFT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SERVICE, 1939-1945: DE HAVILLAND DH.98 MOSQUITO.AIRCRAFT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SERVICE, 1939-1945: DE HAVILLAND DH.98 MOSQUITO.© IWM (CI 1088)

Mosquito PR Mark XVI, NS787 ‘M’, of No. 684 Squadron RAF, preparing to take off at Alipore, India.



99 SQN Royal Air Force


ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945
ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945© IWM (CF 688)

Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI of No. 99 Squadron RAF throws up spray from recent rain while taking off on its last bombing mission of the war from the recently laid PSP airstrip on Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.
ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (C 4918)


Two Consolidated Liberator B Mark VIs of No. 99 Squadron RAF based at Dhubalia, India, bombing through clouds during a daylight attack by 12 aircraft, escorted by USAAF fighters, on the Japanese-held airfield at Zayatkwin, Burma. The unit redeployed to the Cocos Islands in June, 1945.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1013)

Consolidated Liberator B Mark VIs of No. 99 Squadron RAF, with their attendant ground crews, lined up at Dhubalia, India.




356 SQN Royal Air Force


ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1551)

Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI, KL654 'R', of No. 356 Squadron RAF, about to be 'bombed-up' on the newly-established airstrip at Brown's West Island for the Squadron's first operational mission, and the first bombing operation to be flown from the Cocos Islands. One week later, KL654 and its crew went missing while on a special duties flight over Thailand.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1552)

Armourers assemble 500-lb MC bombs for loading into Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI, KL654 'R', of No. 356 Squadron RAF, for the Squadron's first operational mission, and the first bombing operation flown from Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1543)

Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI, KN752 'F', of No. 356 Squadron RAF, takes off from the unfinished runway at Brown's West Island, on the Squadron's first operational sortie, and first bombing operation undertaken from the Cocos Islands. This was one of seven Liberators which were despatched to bomb two Japanese-held airstrips near Benkoelen, Sumatra.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1542)

Indian Army engineers pause in their work to complete the airfield at Brown's West Island as a Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI of No. 356 Squadron RAF takes off on the Squadron's first operational sortie, and first operation undertaken from the Cocos islands. Seven Liberators were despatched to bomb two Japanese-held airstrips near Benkoelen, Sumatra. The engineers are using a caterpillar grader to level the ground next to the runway, on which the bitumenised strips stacked in the foreground will eventually be laid.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1556)

A Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI of No. 356 Squadron RAF, landing on three engines at Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands, after completing the Squadron's last bombing sortie against the Japanese. Liberators of No. 99 Squadron RAF can be seen parked in the background.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1548)

A Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI of No. 356 Squadron RAF, parked on the bitumenised hard-standing at Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands, against a background of coconut palms and surf.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1557)

Ground crews of No.356 Squadron RAF based at the Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands, celebrate in front of one of their Consolidated Liberator Mark B VIs on hearing the news of the surrender of Japan.

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN BURMA AND INDIA, 1945-1946
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN BURMA AND INDIA, 1945-1946© IWM (CI 1624)

Serving with a Royal Air Force Liberator bomber squadron on the Cocos Islands, Leading Aircraftman Alan Sijjers passes Leading Aircraftman Peter Ansell a quick release bag full of leaflets announcing the Japanese surrender in English, Dutch and Urdu. The leaflets would be dropped over prisoner of war camps in the Dutch East Indies and Singapore areas.

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN BURMA AND INDIA 1945-1946THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN BURMA AND INDIA 1945-1946© IWM (CI 1576)

Ground crew of 356 Squadron based on the Cocos Islands load bomb trollies with containers holding medical supplies in preparation for loading them aboard the unit's Liberator aircraft. These containers were dropped over Allied prisoner of war camps in the Dutch East Indies and Singapore areas following the Japanese surrender.


THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN BURMA AND INDIA 1945-1946
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN BURMA AND INDIA 1945-1946© IWM (CI 1575)

Leading Aircraftman P Smith (front) and Leading Aircraftman T Bell of 356 Squadron based on the Cocos Islands load containers holding medical supplies aboard a Liberator bomber. These containers were dropped over Allied prisoner of war camps in the Dutch East Indies and Singapore areas following the Japanese surrender.

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN BURMA AND INDIA 1945-1946THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN BURMA AND INDIA 1945-1946© IWM (CI 1574)

Leading Aircraftman F Duffy of 356 Squadron based on the Cocos Islands is adjusting parachute cords on containers holding medical supplies that will be dropped over Allied prisoner of war camps in the Dutch East Indies and Singapore areas following the Japanese surrender.




231 Group Royal Air Force


ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 841)

Consolidated Liberator B Mark VIs of No. 231 Group RAF, head out on a bombing raid to Rangoon, Burma from their base in India, escorted by a Republic Thunderbolt, (extreme left). Japan surrended before remaining 231 Group squadrons could deploy to the Cocos Islands.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.
ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 839)


500-lb GP bombs on their trolleys, await loading into a Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI of No. 231 Group RAF, at an airfield in India.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.
ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (C 5352)

Oblique aerial photograph showing bombs exploding among transshipment sheds and jetties on Chatham Island, during a raid by Consolidated Liberators of No. 231 Group on Port Blair in the Andaman Islands.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.
ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (C 5054)

A Consolidated Liberator of No. 231 Group flys over a 200-foot wooden railway bridge after its destruction with 1,000-lb bombs; one of three bridges on the Burma-Siam railway south of Thanbyuzayat, which were destroyed in a low-level daylight attack.


ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (C 5160)

A Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI of No. 355 Squadron RAF on the return flight to Salbani, India, after bombing the railway sidings at Na Nien, near Chumphon, Thailand. This was the longest raid yet accomplished by No. 231 Group, involving a round trip of 2,500 miles for over 80 Liberators based in India.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (C 5021)

Consolidated Liberators of No. 231 Group fly away from the smoke-covered target area after bombing the oil and petroleum depots at Yenangyaung, Burma.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (C 4991)

Part of a vertical aerial photograph showing a Consolidated Liberator of No. 132 Wing RAF flying over the target during a daylight attack on a bridge in Burma.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.
ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (C 5149)

A Consolidated Liberator of No. 231 Group flying above the target area, which is largely obscured by smoke from earlier bomb explosions, during a combined daylight attack by RAF and USAAF aircraft on Japanese stores areas in Rangoon, Burma.




205 SQN Royal Air Force


ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1550)

Short Sunderland GR Mark V, RN293 'J' of No. 205 Squadron RAF Detachment,and a Consolidated Catalina Mark III, probably of No. 321 Squadron (Netherlands) RAF Detachment, moored off Direction Island, Cocos Islands.

ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 1549)

A Short Sunderland GR Mark V of No. 205 Squadron RAF Detachment, moored off Direction Island, Cocos Islands, about to be refuelled from a petrol tanker embarked on board a Tank Landing Craft.




160/203/321 SQN Royal Air Force


ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.
ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN THE FAR EAST, 1941-1945.© IWM (CI 772)

Airmen of the Photographic Section unload muff-covered Type F.24 aerial cameras from the back of a truck, for installation in Consolidated Liberator Mark III, FL935 'S', of No. 160 Squadron RAF at Kankesanturai, Ceylon. The electrically-heated muff-warmers prevented the cameras from freezing up when the aircraft was flying at high altitudes.

AMERICAN AIRCRAFT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SERVICE 1939-1945: CONSOLIDATED MODEL 32 LIBERATOR.
AMERICAN AIRCRAFT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SERVICE 1939-1945:
CONSOLIDATED MODEL 32 LIBERATOR.© IWM (CH 20692)


Liberator GR Mark VI, EV882 ‘4-L’, of No. 206 Squadron RAF, based at St Eval, Cornwall, in flight. Detachments of Liberator GR.VI and VIII maritime patrol aircraft were flown by 160 SQN, 203 SQN and 321 (Netherlands) SQN, in 222 GP, from Brown's West Island, Cocos Islands.

AMERICAN AIRCRAFT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SERVICE 1939-1945: CONSOLIDATED LIBERATOR.AMERICAN AIRCRAFT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SERVICE 1939-1945:
CONSOLIDATED LIBERATOR.© IWM (ATP 13091C)

Liberator GR Mark VIII, KG984 on the ground. The aircraft served with Nos. 224, 59 and 220 Squadrons RAF.










Photographic Essay APA-PE-2012-0103






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