671st NAS

• Formation during WWII: The 671st Naval Air Squadron (NAS) was formed in 1944 as part of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, primarily to support the British campaign in Southeast Asia. • Role in Burma: The squadron played a key role in the Burma Campaign, providing air support for Allied ground forces fighting Japanese troops in dense jungle terrain. • Aircraft Operated: The unit flew the Airspeed Horsa and Waco Hadrian gliders, as well as the de Havilland Tiger Moth, focusing on glider pilot training and airborne operations. • Glider Operations: The 671st was one of several squadrons formed specifically to train pilots and crews in the use of gliders, a tactic used to silently insert troops behind enemy lines. • Disbandment and Absorption: The squadron was disbanded in November 1945, after Japan’s surrender, and its personnel were absorbed into other Fleet Air Arm units or demobilized. • Training at Bikram: Initially based at RAF Bikram, India, the squadron trained extensively in hot and challenging conditions, adapting British airborne tactics to the Asian theatre. • Never Deployed Operationally: Although trained for combat, the 671st NAS never saw operational action with gliders, as the war in Asia ended before they were deployed in a combat role. • Allied Cooperation: The squadron worked closely with Allied airborne and special forces units, including the Chindits and US Airborne forces, sharing tactics and training methods. • Unique Squadron Badge: The 671st NAS adopted a distinctive badge featuring a glider in flight, symbolizing its specialized airborne mission. • Legacy and Commemoration: Though short-lived, the 671st NAS contributed to developing British airborne doctrine in Southeast Asia, and its story is preserved in Fleet Air Arm and glider pilot association histories.