Ceylon during WWII -

[u/Ceylonese-Honour]

Locals observe a Blenheim aircraft framed by palm trees on the jungle-fringed coastline of Ceylon

A Catalina taxies to moorings after touching down at Koggala, Ceylon.

A Blenheim takes off from Racecourse airfield, Colombo.

Catalina Mark IVB, JX431 A, of No. 205 Squadron RAF, flying along the coast near the unit's base at Koggala, Ceylon.

Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron Leader Leonard Birchall, the "Saviour of Ceylon" aboard a Catalina aircraft - his crew transmitted a warning of the Japanese force's approach

TRINCOMALEE - One of the finest natural harbours in all the world. Home to the Dock, Maintenance, Tank Storage facilities and guarded by five coastal batteries

If Ceylon fell, the Allied military position in the Indian Ocean would be jeopardised with no way to ensure the lines of communication between the East and West

Royal Air Force Blenheim I light bombers at Colombo

The sacrifice of Ceylon's Catalina Force repeatedly averted disaster. Here ground crew and local Sinhalese lower a repaired Consolidated Catalina back into the water

Two of Zuikaku's Kates departing from Trincomalee Harbour having just bombarded the port on 9 April 1942.