[Dixiecapt]

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-----------------------ANY PLACE, ANY TIME, ANY WHERE --------------
-----------------------------The Story of the 1st Commando Air Group------------------------

It was December 23, 1941 when the first Japanese warplanes attacked the Burmese port of Rangoon. It wasn't long after that, that the Japanese 15th Army began its attempted conquest of Burma.

The British had long thought that Burma's terrain, with its mountains, rivers; roads and valleys which all ran basically north to south would make travel east to west for the Japanese Army difficult and the defense of Burma easier. But the speed in the Japanese advance stunned the British and very soon, both British Major General William J. Slim and American Lt. General Joseph W. Stillwell's forces in Burma were forced to withdraw from Burma.

Colonel Orde C. Wingate with Lt. Col. Philip G. Cochran (Below)

"Flip Corkin" Comes to Life as Col Philip G. Cochran, USAAF
The adventures of the popular comic-strip character in 'Terry and the Pirates" are based on the real-life exploits of the leader of the First Air Commandos

One of Wingate’s Rough and Ready Chindit Warriors, Known in America as Merrill’s Marauders. (Below)


It was during this withdrawal that a former British artillery officer, Colonel Orde C. Wingate arrived in India and he began straight away studying the terrain of Burma and tactics employed by the Japanese Army. He forwarded a report with the idea of fighting the Japanese in Burma with hit and run tactics, these to be carried out by what he called Long Range Penetration (LRP) groups and these operations were to be carried out far behind enemy lines.

To be effectual these LRP groups would have to be lightly armed, therefore they would need to be supplied by air and if they needed any additional firepower, it too would have to come from the air. It wasn't until February 1943 that Wingate would have a chance to put to the test his LRP concept when he was given command of the 77th Indian Brigade and its 3,000 men. Preliminary LRP raids had mixed results, however he proved that Allied ground troops could operate behind the enemy's lines, cutting off his supply system and upsetting his schedule. General Wingate marched fast and struck hard. The enemy, never knowing where he was going to strike next, was completely thrown off balance. Indeed, this British general's behind-the-lines operation in Burma brought to mind the brilliant cavalry maneuvers of Nathan Bedford Forrest in our own Civil War. Soon his group was given the name "Chindits", after a mythological beast, half lion, half griffin, which guarded Burmese pagodas.



It was during the Quadrant Conference in Quebec Canada, (August 14-24, 1943) that Wingate proposed that his concept be expanded. President Roosevelt approved this idea and agreed to supply aircraft for support of these LRP units. General Hap Arnold saw this as the chance to breathe life into the CBI Theater and became determined to build a new Air Group that would be wholly dedicated to the support of Wingate Chindits. The new unit changed it name five times as it evolved, from Project 9 to Project CA 281, then to 5318th Provisional Unit (Air), then to Number Air Commando Force and finally 1st Air Commando Group.



It was decided to make joint leaders for the 1st ACG. The first was Lt. Col. Philip G. Cochran, who had an excellent war record as a fighter pilot in North Africa. The second was Lt. Col. John R. Alison, an "Ace" who had flown with Major General Claire L. Chennault. After the selection and interview with both men by General Arnold, it is said the General Arnold ended the session with these words, "To hell with paperwork, go out and fight".

The Units objective had been carefully defined by General Arnold to:
1: To facilitate the forward movement of Wingate's columns;
2: To facilitate the supply and evacuation of these columns;
3: To provide a small air covering and striking force and
4: To acquire air experience under the conditions expected to be encountered.



Thirteen (13) C-47's were acquired along with one hundred (100) CG-4A Waco Gliders for transport operations. For light aircraft, Vultee L-1 aircraft were chosen due to their ability to carry 2-3 stretchers. The fighter requirement was covered when thirty (30) North American P-51A Mustangs were acquired. For the strike element twelve (12) North American B-25H Mitchell bombers were obtained which were initially destined for the 14th Air Force. These bombers were to prove priceless in the close air support role.



On February 15, 1944, an unfortunate night training accident occurred while a C-47 was towing two gliders. This resulted in the death of four British and three American troops. The next day, Wingate's unit commander sent a note to the flyers, simply stating: "Please be assured that we will go with your boys Any Place, Any Time, Any Where". This phrase was adopted as the motto of the 5318th Provisional Unit (Air) and has been used in the Air Commando and Special Operations community since.

On March 5, 1944 the first major joint operation involving Wingate's Chindits and the 1st Air Commando Group was to begin. This operation, code named "Operation Thursday" would finally test the Chindits and the Air Commando’s ability to work as one.