Lanna-ww2

Northwest Thailand during World War II

N18°17
E99°28
Lampang Airport (Th: ลำปาง ลำพูน / Jp: ランパーン 滑走路 )
page 4b of 7
Route 0001
Station 00c

 

Text Notes

 

July 1944

Per Japanese Monograph No 177, "Outline of Army Disposition in July 1944":

161st Independent Infantry Battalion [was] stationed at Lampang in Northern Thailand and responsible for security in the area. . . .[35]


17 August 1944: Improvements continued at the Lampang airfield:

[36]
asdf

TRANSCRIPT:

Lampang Airfield:

Activity: No aircraft observed. (17/8/44)

Development: Resurfacing and rolling at the north end of the runway have been carried out since the middle of May. New tracks have been cleared and partly rolled to the east of the runway to form loops linking the north end of the site with the centre and southern end. Several lengths of taxi tracks have been re-rolled in the southeast dispersals. (17/8/44)


16 September 1944
: an aerial photo aircraft overflew Lampang, but "cloud cover" prevented photography:[36a]

aerial photo mission 440916


22 September 1944: While the aerial photo mission targeted Lampang town and airport, it reported photographing a railroad bridge south of the town (1140 hrs) plus the airfield (1155 hrs):[36b]

aerial photo mission 440922


26 September 1944: The Allied Intel monthly report again recorded continuing routine maintenance:

[37]
asdf

TRANSCRIPT:

Lampang Airfield

Development: Post-monsoon airfield reclamation work in progress. E-W runway being rolled. (26/SEPT/44)


October 1944

Allied intelligence views of Japanese strategy had been presented in April 1944 and, though written before the IJA failed attack at Kohima and Imphal in India, it had been prescient and the term, "main Thailand line of airfields", had been introduced to describe a potential IJA line of support for Burma and defense from Allied air attacks. Clarification in the form of a map entitled "Thailand Line of Airfields" only appeared six months later in the October Airfield Report:[37a]

Whole battleline map


The map itself in more detail:[37b]

Battleline map excerpt

To download a higher resolution file of the complete map, click here.

A closer view of northwest Thailand in that map:[37c]

closeup of NW TH Battleline


The information block for Lampang on the "Thailand Line" map reads:

Brief description of Lampang airport[37c1]

Transcript:

LAMPANG AF

N-S 1950 yards
ENE-WSW 1200 yards u/c [under construction]
N-S Runway surfaced [with what is not clear]
Cat: B [Category B: believed all weather]
54 A/C [aircraft] shelters

Considerably developed over recent month. Well equipped and operational to all types of enemy aircraft

Note that "Shelters" had not increased from the 54 noted in 21 April 1944.


22 October 1944: The Allies' monthly report on enemy air facilities implied that the lack of aircraft observed at Lampang was a function of "infrequent" coverage during the month. Work to repair rainy season damage was seen to continue:

[37c2]
status


25 October 1944
: a USAAF aerial photo outfitted P-38 (F-5E) photographed Lampang "city" (1325 hrs):

Aerial photo mission 441025[37d]


26 October 1944: a USAAF aerial photo outfitted P-38 (F-5E) assigned to photograph Lampang was prevented by "overcast":

aerial photo mission 441026[37e]


05 November 1944: A USAAF reconnaissance aircraft crashed in bad weather near Lampang with pilot, Franklin McKinney, apparently killed.[38a]

The USAAF Chronology showed no activity around Lampang on this date.


11 November 1944

On this date, Allied intelligence generated a detailed map sketch of Lampang Airfield, which it published in the January 1945 issue of Airfield Reports.[38b]

From the USAAF Chronology:

CBI - THEATER OF OPERATIONS - CHINA (14AF): . . . 70+ P-40s, P-51s and P-38s over S China and N Indochina on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity at several locations, concentrating on Lampang, Thailand, and the Changsha, Lingling, and Hengyang, China areas.[39]

The USAAF strafed and damaged a locomotive between Chiang Mai and Ban Dara; then strafed the Lampang Airfield.[39å] Five Ki-27s from RTAF Squadron 16 at Lampang engaged them. In one dogfight, RTAF CWO Chuladit Detkanchorn[39ж] was credited with the shootdown of a P-51. Two P-51s were damaged. All five Thai aircraft were shot down; four of the pilots were wounded, and one, CWO Nat Sunthorn, was killed. [39a]

A USAAF fighter aircraft (the P-51 reported shot down above) was apparently downed in a dogfight near Lampang with pilot, Henry Minco, killed.[39a1]


Young summarized:

The American fighters flew ten more missions over northern Thailand during the month [November 1944], and on five of these they strafed the airfields at Chiang Mai, Lampang, and Chiang Rai.[39b]


The Airfield Report for the month recorded for 11 November 1944:

Status 11 Nov 1944[40]

 

Status 11 Nov 1944[40a]

The RTAF reported downing four enemy fighter aircraft this date; one each in:

Lampang
Phayao
Chiang Rai
Shan State[40b]


14 November 1944: Attack on Lampang:

12 Beaufighters attack[41]

TRANSCRIPT: 

12 Beau [Beaufighters] attacked enemy communication lines in Chiang Mai-Lampang area . . .


15 November 1944
: Another detailed report on the airfield, with little new information, but with format further sophisticated: the report appears to have been printed, in contrast to the previous report (30 April 1944), which had been typed and probably mimeographed.

[41a]
Standard airfield schedule

There appears to be an inconsistency here: with a surface of "rolled earth", the serviceability was nonetheless "believed all-weather". Elsewhere "metalled" surfaces generally seemed to have been the only type rated "all-weather".


23 November 1944

RAAF crew[42]

Information about the photo reads in part:

Salbani, Bengal, India. 1944-11-23. Informal group portrait of RAAF members of No. 355 (Liberator) Squadron RAF being briefed by Wing Commander (Wg Cdr) J. Martin DFC, RAF, for a mission against Lampang, railhead for the road running into the Shan States through Chiengmai in Thailand.

The above description of the mission is somewhat garbled: Lampang was the target. However, the railhead for the Thai Railway was at Chiang Mai, north of Lampang. Nonetheless, the main road connecting to the Shan States, ie, Kengtung, ran north from Lampang through Mai Sai, not Chiang Mai.


25 November 1944: From USAAF Chronology:

25 November 1944: CBI - THEATER OF OPERATIONS - CHINA (14AF): . . . 75 P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance attack river, road, and rail traffic, troops, buildings, and other targets of opportunity at several Thailand, Burma, S China, and N French Indochina locations, including areas around Bhre [Phrae] and Lampang, Thailand . . . .[42a]


27 November 1944

Status report[42α]

TRANSCRIPT, as relevant:

THAILAND AREA:

15 Liberators dropped 39 tons bombs over loco [locomotive] sheds --- Chiang Mai-Lampang area causing large fires. Meager and inaccurate light AA [anti-aircraft fire] encountered . . . .


27 November 1944: CBI - THEATER OF OPERATIONS - CHINA (14AF): . . . 56 P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over E Burma, N French Indochina, and vast areas of S China attack town areas, railroad targets, bridges and other targets of opportunity around Lampang, Thailand . . . .[42b]


30 November 1944
: Five P-38s and four P-51s destroyed what was possibly a Squadron 62 Ki-21 heavy bomber while strafing the Lampang Airfield.[42b0]


December 1944

Young summarized:

. . . Allied air raids continued into December, with fighters and heavy bombers flying twelve missions, there were no further encounters with the Thai Air Force.[42b҂]


03 December 1944

Status 03 Dec 1944[42b҂1]

The relevant text above reads:

Rail targets at . . . the Chiengmai-Lampang rail sections were attacked by RAF Liberators. . . .


07 December 1944: Circumstantial evidence indicates that a USAAF P-51 crashed in the Lampang area with pilot, Thomas Ankrim, killed.[42b1]

The USAAF chronology recorded no action over Thailand on 07 December 1944.[42b2]


08 December 1944
: Japanese Monograph No 177 recalled:

. . . the [IJA] Southern Army received orders from Imperial General Headquarters to reorganize the Thailand Garrison Army into the 39th Army. On the same day, the Thailand Garrison Army was redesignated the 39th Army with no change in mission.[42b3]


26 December 1944: From USAAF Chronology:

26 December 1944: CBI - THEATER OF OPERATIONS - CHINA (14AF): . . . 46 P-51s, P-38s, and P-40s hit railroad targets, shipping, storage and other targets of opportunity at or near Kinkiang, Anking, and Ka-chun, China; Lampang, Thailand . . . .[42c]


31 December 1944: An area map led the report on the airfield at the end of 1944:

[43]


Status p 2


Status p 3

TRANSCRIPT:

Coordinates --- 18°16N; 99°31E
Altitude (feet above mean sea level) --- 900 (approximately)
Map Reference --- Siam 1/4" NE-47J
Local Position and Landmarks --- 1 mile south of Lampang town and 1‑1/2 miles east of Lampang railway station. Wang River runs through town. Railway 1‑1/2 miles southwest of airfield runs NW-SE, crossing the river 1/2 mile west of station from which runs a main road east. Peak height of 2904 feet 4 miles east.
Landing Area (dimensions in feet) --- Runway and strip in X formation:
      Runway: N-S 5250 x 240   Strip ENE-WSW 4200 x 150
Obstructions ---
Surface --- Runway probably metaled, strip rolled earth.
Serviceability --- Serviceable in dry weather only. Heavy rains during SW monsoon, May to October.
Installations ---
     (a) Administration and Living Accommodations --- Many airfield
            buildings. Living accommodations in airfield barracks.
     (b) Hangars and Workshops ---
     (c) Storage ---
          (i) Fuel and Oil --- In blast shelters.
          (ii) Bomb and Ammunition --- In blast shelters.
          (iii) General Stores --- In blast shelters.
     (d) Telephone, W/T, Signals, etc ---
     (e) Night Landing ---
     (f) Water ---
Aircraft Dispersal ---
     (a) Dispersal Areas ---
            Local: Meager.
            Southeast: Moderate.
            Southwest: Extensive.
     (b) Aircraft Shelters: --- See "Record of Major Development"
            overleaf
.
Defenses --- See current report on "Japanese AA Defenses"
Access ---
     (a) Rail --- Nearest railway station Lampang (1 1/2 miles west)
                      on main Bangkok-Chiang Mai railway.
     (b) Road --- First-class road NNE to Chiang Mai and SSW to [Ko Kha].
     (c) Water --- Wang River
Additional Information ---

 

 

 

Continued on next page

 

 

 

 

 

35.^Japanese Monograph No 177, p 15. It is not clear when this assignment in Lampang began: the battalion is listed as early as Nov 1943 as having been part of the 29th Independent Mixed Brigade, within Thailand (p 13) which became part of the Thailand Garrison Army in January 1944 (p 14).

36.^ "Record of Airfield Activity and Development", Airfield Report No. 25,
Aug 1944, p 8
(USAF Archive microfilm reel A8055 p0863).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36a.^ 21PRS Report Mission No. 4 MA 115, 16 Sep 1944
(USAF Archive microfilm reel A0878 p0441).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36b.^ 21PRS Report Mission No. 4 MA 118, 22 Sep 1944
(USAF Archive microfilm reel A0878 p0476).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37.^ "Record of Airfield Activity and Development", Airfield Report No. 25, Aug 1944, p 8
(USAF Archive microfilm reel A8055 p0988).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37a.^ Airfield Report No. 27 (Oct 1944), facing p ii
(USAF Archive microfilm reel A8055 pp0999-1002)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37b.^ ibid (excerpt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37c.^ ibid (excerpt).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37c1.^ ibid (excerpt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37c2.^ Airfield Report No. 27, Oct 1944, p 14
(USAF Archive microfilm reel A8055 p1019).

 

 

 

37d.^ 21PRS Report Mission No. 4 MA 132, 25 Oct 1944
(USAF Archive microfilm reel A0878 p0551).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37e.^ 21PRS Report Mission No. 4 MA 133, 26 Oct 1944
(USAF Archive microfilm reel A0878 p0552).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38a.^ For details, see McKinney. Enquiries are in progress.

 

 

 

38b.^ The map sketch is presented and discussed at considerable length under Jan 1945 (when it was presented) in order to preserve the continuity of comparatively intense activity here.

39.^ USAAF Chrono 1944.

39å.^ J-aircraft notes a single engined aircraft destroyed on the runway
(Japanese aircraft in RTAF and RTN service during WWII)

39ж.^ Identified as Kamrob Plengkham in Royal Thai Air Force Museum Paintings which include a rendering of the air battle.

39a.^ Young, ibid, p 205. Both RTAF 1913-1983 (p 330) and RTAF WW2 (p 164) date this encounter as 17 Nov 1944; further, both RTAF histories identify RTAF aircraft as Ki‑61‑1‑Otsus. Assignment by the IJAAF of Ki-61s to the RTAF is not confirmed by any other source.

39a1.^ For details, see Minco.

39b.^ Young, ibid.

40.^ "Record of Airfield Development and Activity", Airfield Report No. 28, Nov 1944, p 8
(USAF Archive microfilm reel A8055 p1133).

40a.^ Photographic Interpretation Review No. LB/4, (?: CPIC, SEA, 01 ‑ 15 Dec 1944), unnumbered page
(USAF Archive microfilm reel A8056 p0607).

40b.^ RTAF WW2, p 165.
RTAF histories both date this activity as occurring on 17 Nov 1944; however other sources date the same circumstances as 11 Nov 1944. The digit that varies is 1 or 7, and Thais differentiate the two primarily by "crossing" the 7; perhaps a transcriber early on inadvertently "crossed" his "1".

If the date were 11 Nov, then the pilot downed at Lampang was Minco. Verification of downed aircraft at the three other locations has not been found in any other source.

41.^ Summary for 14 November 1944: Brief of Principal Air Operations Reported (?: ), unnumbered page (USAF Archive microfilm reel A8202 p0356).

41a.^ Airfield Report No. 28, Nov 1944, unnumbered page (USAF Archive microfilm reel A8055 p1083).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42.^ Photo and text from Salbani, Bengal, India, Australian War Memorial website. "Copyright expired".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42a.^USAAF Chrono 1944.

 

 

42α.^ Summary for 27 November 1944: Brief of Principal Air Operations Reported (?:), unnumbered page (USAF Archive microfilm reel A8202 p0339).

 

 

 

 

 

 

42b.^ USAAF Chrono 1944.

 

 

 

42b0.^ Young, ibid, p 205.

 

 

 

42b҂.^ ibid.

 

 

42b҂1.^ Summary for 03 December 1944: Brief of Principal Air Operations Reported (?: ), unnumbered page
(USAF Archive microfilm reel A8202 p0331)

 

 

42b1.^ For details, see Ankrim.

42b2.^ USAAF Chrono 1944.

 

 

42b3.^ Japanese Monograph No 177: Thailand Operations Record, p 19.

 

 

 

42c.^> USAAF Chrono 1944.

 

 

43.^ Siam (Thailand): List of Airfields and Seaplane Stations (Washington: Office of Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Intelligence, 1945), unnumbered page (USAF Archives microfilm reel A1285 pp1221-1223). Information is dated in pages following as 31 Dec 1944.

 

44. (deleted).

45. (deleted).