The RAF Third Tactical Air Force (Third TAF) was a major command of the Royal Air Force in south east Asia during World War II. It was formed in December 1943, shortly after the establishment of South East Asia Command to provide tactical air support to the Fourteenth Army.

As the Air Force was formed, it was felt that at last British forces could go over to the offensive against the Japanese in Burma. A start was made towards establishing a general offensive in Arakan in early 1943, but this was forestalled by a Japanese offensive. The Japanese were decisively beaten, but the shifted the focus of their attack to central Burma. Third TAF gave sterling service to Fourteenth Army during the Battle of Kohima and the Battle of Imphal, strafing and bombing the besieging Japanese troops, often at very low level.

After the defeat of the Japanese by IV and XXXIII Corps in Assam, the monsoon intervened before many counterattacks could take place. After the enforced period of reduced operations, Third TAF supported the advance of Fourteenth Army against the Japanese forces. However, command arrangement changes at the end of 1944 cut short the life of 3rd TAF. It was redesignated HQ RAF Bengal and Burma in December 1944.

Third TAF had two commanders, Air Vice Marshal John Baldwin up until August 15 1944, and then Air Marshal Sir Alec Coryton.

Third TAF had two Groups:

1. No. 221 Group RAF supporting Indian IV Corps.
   • During the battle of Imphal there were seldom more than seven squadrons engaged at one time but over the three months' of the seige altogter 21 squadeons took part: including three from the Indian Air Force (Nos. 1, 7 and 9). The R.A.F. squadrons were Nos. 5, 11, 20, 28, 34, 42, 60, 81, 82, 84, 110, 113, 123, 136, 152, 176, 607 and 615.
2. No. 224 Group RAF ( commanding officer Air Commodore Alexander Gray) supporting Indian XV Corps. In the 1943-44 campaigning season, this Group comprised:
   • Three RAF fighter squadrons equipped with Spitfires (this campaign marked the first time Spitfires were being used in South-East Asia)
   • Six fighter-bomber squadrons with Hurricanes (mainly IIc variants)
   • A single tactical reconnaissance squadron No. 6 Squadron IAF equipped with the Hurricane IIb
   • Two light bomber squadrons (one of which was No. 8 Squadron IAF commanded by Squadron-Leader Niranjan Prasad ), equipped with Vultee Vengeances.

Squadrons

Also 22 Squadron

External links

• No. 211 Squadron RAF
• Indian Airforce Offical site: 6 Sqdn No. 6 Squadron, Indian Air Force - The First Five Years
• No. 177 Squadron RAF No. 177 Squadron RAF
• RAF at the Battle of Imphal