Colombo Racecourse

After the Japanese advance in 1941, the British East Indies naval base was moved to Ceylon, with Colombo and Trincomalee as the main locations. A temporary airstrip was then constructed at Colombo Racecourse. Two RAF squadrons (No. 258 with Hawker Hurricanes and No. 11 with Bristol Blenheims) were stationed here. During the Japanese Easter Raid in 1942, this airfield was bypassed, allowing the Hurricanes to successfully take off and intercept the attack. The Royal Navy also had an air base here.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Imperial War Museums