JS(AC)99a RAF cover (miss numbered JS(CC)99) dual numbered AF19a as part of the Airborne Forces Series. The cover artwork by Tony Theobald depicts paratroopers dropping from Douglas DC-3 Dakotas at Elephant point on the 1 May 1945 during Operation Dracula - the codename for the capture of Rangoon in Burma. At the bottom Gurkha paratroopers are shown with SIgnallers at Elephant point, meanwhile inser 5 Airborne Brigade are shown during Operation Pounce in Semerang Java in December 1945 where they were employed to keep the peace and re-establish order int he former Dutch colony. Cover bears the Airborne forces Pegasus logo.

Cover bears 20p Isle of Man 50th Anniversary of VJ day stamp which depicts the Bruma and Pacific Star Medals and an American aricraft with a jungle patrol underneath. The stamp is cancelled on 15 August 1995 50th Anniversary of VJ Day at Douglas Isle of Man. Cover has been flown from RAF Brize Norton to Kuala Lumpur and return on Lockheed Tristar ZD953 of No 216 Squadron.

Operation Dracula
Before Rangoon could be captured the 24 miles of river had to be cleared, before any mine sweepers or landing craft could enter the river the coastal defences on the west bank, especially Elephant point had to be eliminated. It was not practical to use Naval gun fire and a seaborne assault would have been costly so airborne troops were the best solution for the job. A parachute battalion was made up from the 2nd and 3rd Gurkhas with a reserve drawn from the 1st Indian Battalion.

The drop was a complete success made in two waves by 40 USAAF aircraft 9 PARA and the troops advanced to Elephant point and managed to take a well dug in Japanese bunker. The unit then cleared the other bunkers and cleared the area as the seaborne invasion went up the river to capture Rangoon.

  We usually have lots of other items up for sale so why not have a look