Bombing of South-East Asia (1944–1945) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bombardment of Southeast Asia |
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 A Royal Air Force motor transport driver surveys damage caused by Allied bombing at Singapore docks, September 1945. |
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During the final years of World War II (1944-1945), the Allied forces carried out a major bombing campaign in Southeast Asia. This was called "strategic bombing" because it aimed to destroy important targets like factories, ports, and railways. The main places bombed were Thailand and Indochina, which was controlled by Japan at the time.
Contents
By 1944, the German Navy was no longer a big threat. This allowed the British Royal Navy to send many of its ships to the Far East. Britain wanted to join the fight in the Pacific War.
First, they needed to learn how to do large-scale air attacks from ships. They also needed to understand how the United States Navy worked. To gain this experience and weaken Japan, they attacked oil factories in Indonesia. Some of these attacks were done with the American aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga.
Some of the important Royal Navy operations included:
- Cockpit – A raid on Sabang in April 1944.
- Transom – A raid on Surabaya in May 1944.
- Crimson – Another raid on Sabang in July 1944.
- Robson – A raid on Pangkalan Brandan in November 1944.
- Lentil – Another raid on Pangkalan Brandan in January 1945.
- Meridian – Two raids on Palembang in January 1945.
Bombing Campaign in Indochina
French Indochina was a French colony that had sided with the Vichy government during the war. This government allowed Japan to station troops, ships, and planes there. Because of this, the Allies began bombing industrial and military sites in Indochina in 1942.
Getting Information for Bombing
A young French naval officer, Robert Meynier, helped the Allies. Starting in May 1943, he created a network of spies. This group gave information about bombing targets, where Japanese troops were, and their defenses.
In August 1942, the United States Fourteenth Air Force started the first air raids in Indochina from southern China. By September 1943, the U.S. increased its bombing, hitting the harbor of Haiphong many times. By the end of 1944, Japanese ships completely avoided Haiphong.
Key Targets and Impact
The Allies also bombed phosphate mines at Lao Cai and Cao Bang. They targeted coal shipments from the Hon Gai region. This coal was used to make charcoal gas, which replaced scarce gasoline. By late 1944, these shipments had stopped.
The Japanese also used ethanol (from rice) and butanol (for aircraft fuel).
- Butanol factories in Cholon were bombed in February 1944.
- Ethanol factories in Nam Dinh and Thanh Hoa were hit several times.
In April and May, American bombers hit textile mills in Haiphong and Nam Dinh. In May, US Army Air Forces began bombing Saigon at night. They mostly hit port areas and train yards. Sadly, some residential areas were also hit. On May 16, one attack killed 213 civilians and injured 843.
On February 7, 1945, an American B-29 Superfortress mistakenly hit a hospital and a French army building in Saigon. Thirty Europeans and 150 Vietnamese were killed, and hundreds were injured. No Japanese soldiers were harmed in this attack.
Intelligence and Warnings
The British intelligence group Force 136 sent French agents into Indochina in early 1945. These agents gave detailed information about targets to British and American headquarters. They were especially helpful with information about ship movements. In January 1945, American planes sank 24 ships and damaged 13 more.
As a severe famine spread in Indochina, General Eugène Mordant asked the Free French government to stop the U.S. bombing of northern ports. He hoped this would help prevent more food shortages.
After Germany surrendered in Europe, the American bombing campaign in Indochina became even stronger. On July 4, 1945, American planes hit a boat in Nam Dinh province, killing two people and injuring many. A few days later, Haiphong was hit, sinking a dredge and a floating dock.
The United States also dropped leaflets in French, Vietnamese, and Japanese. These leaflets warned people to stay away from railways, bridges, and ferries. They also told people not to help the Japanese repair bomb damage. The leaflets said: "Our airplanes will come again, and if you are near the target you will probably be killed by association."
Bombing Campaign in Thailand
Thailand declared war on both the United States and the United Kingdom. However, the U.S. saw Thailand's declaration as forced by the Japanese invasion, so they did not consider Thailand an enemy. The British, however, did see Thailand as an enemy.
By December 1945, the Allies had dropped 18,583 bombs on Thailand. This caused 8,711 deaths and destroyed many buildings and vehicles. The main target was Bangkok, the capital city. Areas outside the cities were mostly not affected.
Intelligence and Concerns
In October 1944, the British received good intelligence from Thailand about bombing targets. The United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS) had a mission in Thailand supporting the Free Thai movement. OSS officers on the ground often asked for more careful target selection in Thailand. However, the OSS had little influence on the air force's bombing decisions.
Impact on Civilians and Infrastructure
On March 5, 1945, a bombing run on the Bangkok Noi railway station killed 78 civilians. On March 22, a train carrying Thai soldiers was hit. Free Thai allies had asked that this railway line not be targeted. Another bombing on April 2 killed 400 civilians and 50 Thai soldiers.
On April 14, 1945, American and British bombers attacked Bangkok. They hit the Samsen power plant and damaged another. This left Bangkok mostly without power or running water. About 200 civilians were killed. On April 18, the Allies bombed Bangkok again, hitting the wharves of the Borneo Company.
On July 10, eight British B-24s killed 90 people and injured 400 in a raid on Bangkok. On July 13, Thai politician Pridi Banomyong asked the Allies to stop bombing and drop leaflets instead. On July 14, the Bangkok main railway station was bombed. On July 29, the Royal Air Force bombed the Bangkok Noi railway station again. One bomb missed the station and landed on the campus of Thammasat University.
Images for kids
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A Royal Air Force motor transport driver surveys damage caused by Allied bombing at Singapore docks, September 1945.
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Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers from HMS Indefatigable (R10) forming up for a raid on a Japanese oil refinery at Pangkalan Brandan, Sumatra.
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Bombing of Rama VI Bridge
See also
- Bombing of Singapore (1944–1945)
- Raid on Taipei
