Introduction

     This text contains some of the memories of my father, 1142031 Gunner. Patrick Bernard Meech, whilst serving as an Air Dispatcher in India during World War Two from September 1944 to March 1945.  He was actually trained as an anti-tank gunner serving with the 7^th Bn Gordon Highlanders, although he was from Southampton in Hampshire.   It should be noted that all this information is from memory therefore some detail may of course be different from contemporary written records.

     The background to my father becoming a ‘kicker’ was that the commander of British 36 Div, Gen Festing, wanted his own troops dropping supplies. This meant a Battery from 122 Anti-Tank/Anti-Aircraft unit was sent to Moran aerodrome near Dubrigah on the road to Ledo.  The aerodrome was very large, HQ for Gen. Stilwell and base for Chinese troops.

Arrival

     On arrival at the location the troops were dumped by the roadside with tents and equipment.  They then had two weeks to clear the jungle and put up tents, beds, tables etc made out of bamboo.  It did not take long for 120 men with machetes to make the place comfortable.

     The first job they had was to pack K. Rations in canvas containers.  They were then made up into gangs of three (usually mates) known as ‘kickers’ and paid a shilling a day extra.  Some of the troops refused to fly so they had to do all of the guard duties and anything else.

Flying

    My father and his mates ‘Pete’ and ‘Flash’ were attached to the 9^th Combat Cargo Squadron.  When they were due to go on a drop one of the three was taken to the aircraft (C-47 Dakota) at about 10pm or later to guard the stores, which could be anything from ammunition, food, medical supplies or petrol.  The cargo would be loaded during the night; the guard would then keep the manifesto and give it to the pilot when he came aboard.  Usually the aircraft would take off at first light, a lot of the time the ‘kickers’ did not know the location of the drop.

    When ‘kicking’ one man stood on each side of the cargo with the other at the back.  The man on the right tied the six to seven foot tapes, which were attached to a thin string to hold the parachute in position.  A green light or buzzer indicated when the cargo was to be pushed out, they then had to report if it hit the target.

    When flying each ‘kicker’ carried a rifle, bayonet, 50 rounds of ammo, water bottle, two sandwiches and a parachute (Although initially they did not have the parachute).  They picked up the parachute before each flight and handed it in on completion of the trip.

     From approximately September 1944 to March 1945 Moran aerodrome supplied to 36 Div. And any other division as well as Chinese troops, East and West African units, Chindits and Mars Task force.  Also they dropped food to isolated areas and villages that needed it.

Emergency Procedures

     When problems arose like engine failure (which it did), they would put on their parachutes and start throwing everything out to lighten the load, usually the aircrew would get involved in this as well.  If the buzzer sounded they were to jump out and Not count to three before pulling the ripcord, they were flying only 300ft over the jungle and would be dead if they did. Luckily on the occasions they had problems they decided to stay with the aircraft as it would be a long walk back.

    If ‘Zeros’ (every jap fighter was a Zero) were reported in the area the aircraft would head for the nearest emergency strip (Of which there were many).  Then one man went each side of the door, the other to the opposite window and point their rifles out, looking out for fighters at the same time.  On seeing enemy fighters they were ordered to "Shoot like hell and pray like hell!"  (They had a few of these scares but luckily no contacts).

Submitted by Mick Meech, son of Patrick B. Meech.      © 2001 Bill Bielauskas

    I am looking for former members of the 3rd Combat Cargo Group,  1st, Combat Cargo Group, 2nd Combat Cargo Group and the 4th Combat Cargo Group.  In fact I would like to hear from anyone who flew over the Hump during WW II, or flew any Combat Cargo Missions at any time (Berlin Air-Lift, Korea, etc.) 

Please e-mail comment, suggestions, corrections,etc to: bill@comcar.org

Imphal, the Hump and Beyond  Copyright © 1999-2001 Bill Bielauskas  All rights reserved.

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