Your one-stop source of aviation collectibles and information
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Your one-stop source of aviation collectibles and information |
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The Brick Bombers
"Bricks Away" painting by Lance Russwurm (Burma, 1945) In April of that year, 436 Transport Squadron was ordered to move operations from Akyab Island in the Bay of Bengal, down the Burmese coast to Ramree Island. This move was necessary to maintain supplies to the British 14th Army which was advancing on the Japanese. Ramree had been shelled and extensively damaged. S/L Dick Denison was instructed to fly a load of bricks to Ramree so the cooks could build ovens to serve the squadron's messing needs. A C-47 (KN210) piloted by Denison was transporting the bricks and couldn't gain altitude, due to being overloaded. Just as this became apparent, L.A.C. Art Adams spotted a Japanese seaplane beached on a small island. Someone shouted, "Let's get rid of some bricks!" The paradrop bell and lights came on, the signal to "Do the drop". During a few low passes, Adams pushed out as many bricks as he could. No sign of life was seen around the enemy aircraft and it is doubtful that any damage was done but, it was certainly the only bombing raid in World War 2 done with bricks. Denison later landed the Dak like a feather. It was overloaded by 2000 pounds!
THE CREW of KN210 (left to right) F/O M. McLean, F/L W. Lindsay, F/O E. G. Lee, S/L Dick Denison, L.A.C. Art Adams (missing from photo: Sgt. T.F. Laffey) |
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